Andy Warhol's Endangered Species: San Francisco Silverspot was the leading performer at the first of a series of Christie's auctions to aid the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The circa 1983 artwork sold within estimate for $1.3m at the New York auction on November 12 as part of a $17m sale dedicated to his work.
 Warhol's San Francisco Silverspot |
All proceeds from the auction will support visual arts, as Warhol had envisioned for the foundation, which was established after his death in 1987.
Another from the Endangered Species series, Bighorn Ram, also performed within estimate, selling for $842,500, while the circa 1968 Jackie more than doubled its $300,000 valuation to achieve $626,500.
Amy Cappellazzo, the chairman of post-war and contemporary development at Christie's, commented: "Today's vigorous launch of the Warhol Foundation sales was met with enthusiasm by established and new collectors globally, including successful bidders from mainland China, Russia, the European Union, the Middle East and the Americas.
"Warhol's enduring appeal was underscored by a 91% sell-through rate by lot, with photographs and prints performing exceedingly well."
Next up in the Warhol series will be an exclusively online auction in February, in addition to a selling exhibition in Hong Kong.
 Jackie more than doubled its estimate |
It has been another strong year for Warhol, and collectors at the top of the market will have a further chance to own one of his works when Marlon silkscreen ink on linen appears at Christie's on November 14 armed with a $20m valuation.
The world record for the artist stands at $71.7m, achieved in 2007 by his Green car crash - Green burning car I from 1963.
View the iconic black sweater worn by Warhol we have currently available.
