A curated collection of art and decor reflecting the taste of Mica Ertegün, a pioneer in interior design, was presented to art enthusiasts in an exclusive auction organized by Christie’s.
Christie’s auction house presented the esteemed Mica Ertegün collection through a series of auctions that began in the fall of 2024 and concluded in December. Ertegün meticulously curated an extraordinary selection of artworks, furniture, and decorative objects over the years, offering collectors and art enthusiasts an opportunity.
Mica Ertegün was respected in the global art and design community for her eye. While she was often recognized through her husband, Turkish-American music producer Ahmet Ertegün, her influence in the world of interior design was equally significant. The couple’s collection, which included many pieces that had remained in their possession for decades, sold for a total of $196,099,236.
Born Ioana Maria Banu (1926–2023) into an aristocratic Romanian family, Mica’s early life was shaped by wartime upheaval. Forced to leave her home country with part of her family, she initially sought refuge in Zurich before briefly working as a model in Paris. After marrying, she moved to rural Canada, where she spent ten years. Her life took a turn when she traveled to New York to meet with Turkey’s United Nations ambassador in the hope of securing her father’s release from Romania. During this journey, she met Ahmet Ertegün, who was immediately captivated by her presence and charm. Soon after, Mica relocated to New York and, in 1961, married Ertegün, embarking on a nearly 50-year marriage.
In 1967, Mica Ertegün founded the interior design firm MAC II, pioneering a new approach to interior spaces. With her modern and timeless designs, she transformed lifestyles and redefined spatial aesthetics across generations. Her design philosophy was a reflection of the taste evident in her art collection.
Her passion for art and design also made her a prominent collector and philanthropist. In recognition of her contributions to British-American cultural relations, education, and charitable efforts, she was honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017.
This collection, curated from Mica’s various homes, provided collectors with an unprecedented opportunity to appreciate and own a piece of the legacy of these legendary spaces. The selected pieces were auctioned in a series of events held in New York and Paris. Spanning a wide range, this extraordinary collection included elegant furniture and masterpiece artworks. Among the highlights were rare pieces by renowned designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, works by celebrated artists like Alberto Giacometti and Alexander Calder, as well as René Magritte’s iconic surrealist masterpiece L’empire des lumières (1954).
The collection also brought together works by Joan Miró, David Hockney, Ed Ruscha, and Morris Louis, alongside sculptures, drawings, prints, and furniture. Jewelry, design objects, and decorative artworks from the Art Deco and modern design movements reflected Mica’s passion for art and showcased her distinctive aesthetic vision.
Christie’s experts provided detailed explanations of the history and artistic value of each object, guiding collectors throughout the auction process. Additionally, a significant portion of the proceeds from the sales was donated to various charitable organizations, including the Oxford University Humanities Graduate Scholarship Program, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the World Monuments Fund, ensuring the continuation of Mica Ertegün’s philanthropic legacy.
For more information and to explore the details of this unmissable auction for art and design enthusiasts, you can check out our article titled “Mica Ertegün Collection at Christie’s.”
