Kimono worn by Freddie Mercury on stage sells for staggering £57,000 at auction

Kimono worn by Freddie Mercury on stage sells for staggering £57,000 at auction

Renowned for his theatrical stage charisma, Queen’s iconic lead singer, Freddie Mercury, once sported a radiant red satin kimono during a performance in Edinburgh. This particular kimono, worn by Mercury at the Edinburgh Playhouse in September 1976, has recently been auctioned for a staggering £57,000, far surpassing its anticipated value of £6,000 to £9,000.

Adorning the long-sleeved Showa period kimono is a rich red satin silk pattern intricately designed with tie-dye, chrysanthemums, and traditional karakusa scrolls interspersed with delicate fans.

David Macdonald, who oversees single owner sales at Sotheby’s London, provided insights into the kimono’s history. He noted that Mercury had procured this piece during one of Queen’s initial tours of Japan, either in the spring of 1975 or the subsequent year. These tours ignited Mercury’s profound affection for Japanese culture. Remarkably, this kimono resurfaced from a metal trunk stored in the attic of Mercury’s West London residence, Garden Lodge, during a collection assessment. Macdonald expressed his delight at the discovery of this treasured relic after over four decades, emphasizing its deep connection to that memorable Scottish performance.

Renowned for his flamboyant stage presence, the iconic Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, has left a sartorial legacy that continues to dazzle. Recently, a red satin kimono donned by Mercury during a legendary performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse in September 1976 exceeded all expectations at auction, fetching an astonishing sum of over £57,000—nearly ten times its initial estimate.

This exquisite, long-sleeved Showa period kimono, featured red figured satin silk adorned in tie-dye with scattered fans against a backdrop of chrysanthemums and scrolling karakusa. Sotheby’s hosted the auction, with conservative estimates placing its value at £6,000 to £9,000. However, a fierce bidding war ensued, culminating in a remarkable winning bid of £57,150.

David Macdonald, Head of Single Owner Sales at Sotheby’s London, shed light on the kimono’s significance, noting that it was a part of Queen’s brief summer tour in 1976, during which the band graced the stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre on September 1st and 2nd. The kimono holds historical weight as Freddie Mercury acquired it in Japan, either during the band’s inaugural tour of the country in the spring of 1975 or the subsequent year. These tours ignited Mercury’s profound fascination with Japan and its rich culture.

Remarkably, the “Edinburgh” kimono resurfaced more than four decades later, discovered alongside other treasures in a sizable metal touring trunk within Mercury’s former residence, Garden Lodge in West London, during a valuation of his collection. This unexpected reappearance of the kimono, intertwined with memories of that unforgettable Scottish performance, adds an extra layer of wonder to its enduring legacy.

Kimono worn by Freddie Mercury on stage sells for staggering £57,000 at auction

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