Freddie Mercury’s hand-painted koi carp waistcoat, 1991, and other clothing

Freddie Mercury’s hand-painted koi carp waistcoat, 1991, and other clothing

A hand-painted silk waistcoat with a design of Koi carp swimming in turquoise water, the carp in shades of orange, red, yellow and black with gold accents, with two jetted front pockets, the back of turquoise satin with adjustable strap with white metal buckle, lined in turquoise satin, labelled ‘Dunford Wood, Oxford, England’; with a pale yellow cotton button-down shirt with one breast pocket, labelled ‘De Havilland Shirt Makers, Covent Garden, London’; a pair of beige cotton trousers, with turn-ups, pleated front, labelled ‘Next’, with brown imitation leather belt, 1980s; and pair of white leather ‘Nike’ sneakers with turquoise Swoosh, left shoe with white lace, white moulded rubber sole, size 8 (some wear)

See lot 59.

(qty 6, including belt)

The waistcoat was commissioned by Donald Mackenzie as a Christmas gift in 1990.

Freddie was a passionate collector of Koi Carp and amassed a world-class collection of eighty-nine rare Koi in the pond of the Japanese garden at Garden Lodge. 

The present lot was a gift from Donald Mackenzie to Freddie Mercury. In accordance with his and Mary Austin’s wishes, 100% of the hammer price achieved for this lot and lot 281 in Freddie Mercury: On Stage will be donated to The Elton John Aids Foundation.