Silver Charm Bracelet, Damien Hirst, 2005, Edition 38 Of 50

Designed as a curb link chain suspending seventeen charms of various sizes depicting cast pharmaceutical pills, length approximately 220mm, one pill numbered 38/50 and stamped with Hirst Hirst logo, another charm signed D Hirst, case Damien Hirst, British hallmarks for London, 2005. Estimate 12,000—17,000 GBP - Lot Sold 27,500 GBP

NOTE: Incorporated with this lot the successful bidder will have the opportunity to a private tour around one of Hirst's London studios by his manager Frank Dunphy, followed by a tea at The Wolseley.

The pill motif can be found in a large number of Hirst's works. Together with his butterfly paintings, spot paintings, spin paintings and formaldehyde works, the pharmaceutical theme is one of his most iconic. In 2004, Sotheby's held the Pharmacy auction where the contents of Hirst's iconic Pharmacy restaurant in Notting Hill were sold. In many of his works he explores the relationship between life, death, art and medicine.

Hirst is one of the most prominent members of the Young British Artists (YBAs) also including names such as Tracy Emin. Attending Goldsmiths College, Hirst organised and curated in July 1988, an independent student exhibition, Freeze. It was here that Damien launched his first pharmaceutical paintings. The ICA staged his first solo exhibition in a public institution, Internal Affairs in 1991. In 1995, Hirst won the prestigious Turner Prize. In 1997 The Sensation exhibition was held at the Royal Academy in London including his infamous formaldehyde shark, 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living'.

This year Sotheby's held an historic auction entitled, Beautiful Inside My Head Forever, achieving record results and exceeding all expectations.

Sotheby's. Important Jewels. 17 Dec 08. London. photo courtesy Sotheby's. www.sothebys.com