$91,000 for David Lynch's director's chair

Los Angeles. Five months after the death of "Twin Peaks" director David Lynch, hundreds of items from his estate were auctioned. Among the highlights was a red leather director's chair bearing the filmmaker's name, which was pre-estimated by the auction house Julien's Auctions at a value of $5,000 to $7,000. It fetched significantly more at the auction in California, at $91,000 (just under €80,000).

An espresso machine from Lynch's household (estimate: $3,000) found a new owner for more than $45,000. Thirty-five bids were received for 35mm film reels from Lynch's debut film, "Eraserhead" (1977), which ultimately climbed to $52,000. The estimate had been between $500 and $700. An iconic red curtain from the mystery series "Twin Peaks" fetched more than $32,000.

A heated bidding war also raged over several screenplays. A script for Lynch's never-completed film project "Ronnie Rocket," estimated at $300, fetched $195,000. A script for the 2001 film "Mulholland Drive" fetched $104,000.

Among the many items auctioned in Los Angeles were musical instruments, records, furniture, art objects and painting utensils from the multi-talented artist's studio.

Lynch became known through the TV series "Twin Peaks" and cult films such as "Wild at Heart" and "Blue Velvet." He died in January at the age of 78. The longtime smoker had suffered from pulmonary emphysema.

As a director and screenwriter, Lynch was nominated for an Oscar four times, but he always came away empty-handed in the competition. The Academy finally awarded him an honorary Oscar in 2019. The Academy stated that he "fearlessly" pushed boundaries for his artistic vision.

RND/dpa