The 1960s home of actress Brooke Hayward and Dennis Hopper was far from any regular home. Adorned with art and antiques, their Hollywood home was decorated with the most-wanted masterpieces from the likes of Oldenburg and Rauschenberg. Their sought-after, iconic 1960s interior and their enthusiasm for antiques are perhaps what has made us so excited for the latest collection of masks we have here at Rag and Bone. After a recent visit to an auction, we had the honour of discovering the mask collection pictured below and had to get them. Love at first sight, it was only when we brought them home from the auction and did research on some of the old Christie’s labels on them that we discovered they were from Brooke Haywards art collection. Artist Ed Ruscha once described the home of Hopper and Hayward as a ‘carnival with a candy-store energy’ and this was certainly similar energy to the one we had when we welcomed the addition of these masks here at Rag and Bone.

Both Hayward and Hopper worked as a dream duo in the creation of their memorable aesthetic, with Hopper sourcing the paintings and Brooke working wonders in arranging it all. With first dibs on paintings from pop artist Roy Lichenstein and abstract artist Johns, their home was certainly brimming with an array of impressive works. Despite the precious displays of art and design, they welcomed many guests over the years to their family home, whether it be for their infamous parties or a visit from Vogue for a feature on their home. All in awe, many noted that it was a home well-lived in which only added to its character and charm.

Perhaps one of the most interesting revelations (of which I’m sure are many), that was found when researching the pair was Hopper’s friendship with Andy Warhol. The first owner of the infamous tomato-soup can painting, Hopper certainly made his mark when he picked up a gun and shot at his Warhol print of Chairman Mao- not once, but twice. An amused Warhol annotated the two bullet holes, of which one appeared a missed shot and the other, straight through the eye, as “warning shot” and second, “bullet hole”. This work later became known as the Warhol-Hopper collaboration and was later sold 10 years ago in 2011 by Christie’s for around £20,000-£30,000.

Their eclectic interior at 1712 North Crescent Heights is undoubtedly a reflection of the eventful times the pair shared together. Their enthusiasm for art and design has certainly never gone amiss and our admiration for their interior and extensive collection hopefully warrants the same excitement from the lucky new owners of these masks. Head to our new arrivals page to see what else we have discovered lately (there may be a mask or two popping up in the coming week).

1712 North Crescent Heights Boulevard, the family home of Hayward and Hopper (1963 to 1977)

References: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/02/the-untold-story-of-brooke-hayward-and-dennis-hoppers-hollywood-home

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/05/dennis-hopper-andy-warhol-print

By Claudia Watkins, 23|06|2021

Behind the Mask: Hollywood Actress Brooke Hayward’s Collection