A statue of a naked Kate Moss, racy pin-up girls and a bedside table with PENIS-shaped legs will all go under the hammer in Sotheby's first ever erotic art auction 

  • Sotheby's is holding its first ever erotic art auction in London later this month
  • Pieces include a statue of a naked Kate Moss and paintings of pin-up girls
  • A provocative table with penis-shaped legs will also go under the hammer 

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

Published: 11:45 EST, 3 February 2017 | Updated: 15:05 EST, 3 February 2017

Sotheby's might be best known as the home of fine jewellery and priceless works of art.

But the esteemed auction house is showing off its wild side with its latest collection - a series of erotic sketches, paintings and sculptures.

Among the 107 lots going under the hammer is a sculpture of Kate Moss in a provocative yoga pose which is expected to sell for more than £70,000. 

Talking point: A painted plywood table that was supposedly delivered to Catherine the Great

Talking point: A painted plywood table that was supposedly delivered to Catherine the Great

Siren by Marc Quinn
The sculpture depicts Kate Moss, pictured

Supermodel status: The sculpture Siren by Marc Quinn, left, depicts Kate Moss in a yoga pose

Retro: A series of four works called Tomato Catsup; Tobacco Red; Lola Cola; and A.C. Annie

Retro: A series of four works called Tomato Catsup; Tobacco Red; Lola Cola; and A.C. Annie

The piece by artist Marc Quinn shows the model holding her legs behind her head. 

One of the most outrageous items up for sale is a table with legs shaped like penises. Busts of nude women also adorn the rim of the tabletop.  

Picasso's Nu Couché (Reclining Nude) is expected to fetch £60,000 while a carved mahogany bed could go for £800,000 - the most expensive item in the collection. 

A series of retro nudes by American artist Mel Ramos and a pin-up girl flashing her thigh bring a touch of old-fashioned sex appeal to the collection.

A number of life drawings make an appearance, including one by Lucien Freud called Man Posing. The piece is expected to sell for as much as £20,000.  

Among the more unusual lots is a German silver bourdaloue, or portable chamber pot, with an erotic engraving. The piece, which would have been carried by women who needed to relieve themselves, is believed to date back to 1802.

Raunchy: Modest Maneuver, by artist Gil Elvgren, is expected to sell for more than £25,000

Raunchy: Modest Maneuver, by artist Gil Elvgren, is expected to sell for more than £25,000

High value: This carved mahogany bed could fetch as much as £800,000 at auction

High value: This carved mahogany bed could fetch as much as £800,000 at auction

Intimate: This piece called A Loving Couple Watched By A Maiden could sell for £4,000

Intimate: This piece called A Loving Couple Watched By A Maiden could sell for £4,000

Luxury: A silver bourdaloue, or portable chamber pot could fetch between £2,000-£3,000

Luxury: A silver bourdaloue, or portable chamber pot could fetch between £2,000-£3,000

A series of trinket boxes with erotic art on the lids and a box with a naked woman and her cat are also going under the hammer. 

The auction includes four paintings by German artist George Grosz depicting various sexual acts ranging from foreplay to intercourse.  

Constantine Frangos, Head of Sale at Sotheby's, said: 'Art has always existed to tell a human story, and sex has always been part of that story - whether it is there to compel, to shock or to seduce. 

Icon: Among the sketches is Man Posing by Lucien Freud which could sell for £20,000

Icon: Among the sketches is Man Posing by Lucien Freud which could sell for £20,000

Dainty: Erotic scenes are depicted on the lids of this collection of small trinket boxes

Dainty: Erotic scenes are depicted on the lids of this collection of small trinket boxes

Distinctive: Nu couche by Pablo Picasso has been valued at between £60,000 and £80,000

Distinctive: Nu couche by Pablo Picasso has been valued at between £60,000 and £80,000

Vibrant: This 18th century painting depicting a couple during intercourse could fetch £3,000

Vibrant: This 18th century painting depicting a couple during intercourse could fetch £3,000

'Indeed, Eroticism in art has appeared in whatever form art has taken, and our exhibition will take the viewer on a journey through the centuries.

'This sale creates a stage on which we are able to bring together a fascinating array of artworks and objects across many disciplines - charting a history whilst also presenting stunning works by artists as eclectic as Picasso, Man Ray, Ettore Sottsass and Marc Quinn.'

The Erotic: Passion & Desire auction will be held in London on February 16.

Nudes: This piece is by Austrian artist Egon Schiele, who is known for his raw sexuality

Nudes: This piece is by Austrian artist Egon Schiele, who is known for his raw sexuality

Caught off guard: Baigneuses Surprises, or Surprised Bathers, by Camille Bombois

Caught off guard: Baigneuses Surprises, or Surprised Bathers, by Camille Bombois

Provocative: This piece by Clive Barker from the mid 1990s could sell for as much as £3,000

Provocative: This piece by Clive Barker from the mid 1990s could sell for as much as £3,000

 

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