PARIS—After a strong start at the beginning of last week, the second auction of works from the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé pushed through to a strong ending at Christie's Paris. The sale collected nine million euros ($13.4 million) including fees, a total nearly double its estimate. All of the proceeds from the sale have been earmarked to benefit AIDS and HIV research, a favorite cause of the late fashion designer.

The 1,200 clients that had registered to bid at the auction snatched up 85 percent of the 1,156 works on offer. The top lot prize in the modern art category went to Fernand Leger’s 1950 gouache-and-black-ink drawing Les travailleurs au repos, which brought in a sporty €181,000 euros ($271,000) against an estimate of €70,000.

Buyers also loved a pair of French armchairs from the first quarter of the 19th century. Originally estimated at €7,000-9000, they soared to an astounding €241,000 ($360,000). Many works were available at the lower-end, as well, with a 39-inch-tall cotton screen going for just €88 ($130), a bargain for those seeking a YSL souvenir.