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    • Archive for November, 2013

    GIACOMETTI SCULPTURE TOPS SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK SALE

    Thursday, November 7th, 2013
    The scene in New York last night.

    Tobias Meyer on the rostrum in New York last night.

    Alberto Giacometti’s Grande tête mince (Grande tête de Diego) sold for $50,005,000 to become the top lot at Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in New York last night. The sale brought in $290 million, the second highest total in the category in Sotheby’s history.  The May 2012 auction in which Edvard Munch’s The Scream set a new world auction record for any work of art at $119.9 million was the highest.  Last night there was record levels of participation from Asia and Latin America.

    The sell-through rate of 81.2% by lot marks the fourth consecutive evening sale of Impressionist & Modern Art at Sotheby’s worldwide with a sell-through rate over 80%.   94.2% of sold works brought prices at or above their estimates. Works by Pablo Picasso brought exceptional prices throughout the night, led by  Tête de femme, his 1935 portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter which made $39,925,000 over a high estimate of $30 million. Mousquetaire à la pipe set a new auction record for a late work by the artist at $30,965,000.

    The private collection Futur! Masterworks of the Avant-Garde totaled $64.3 million, led by Italian Futurist Giacomo Balla’s Automobile in corsa which made $11,477,000, a new auction record for the artist. Strong prices for Impressionist works were led by Claude Monet’s Glaçons, effet blanc which made $16,125,000. Records were set for Gustave Courbet, Man Ray, Francis Picabia, Giacomo Balla and Jean Arp. Five works sold for more than $10 million.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 3, 2013)

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on GIACOMETTI SCULPTURE TOPS SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK SALE

    $258 MILLION AND RISING FOR IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
    Even though $258 million worth of Impressionist and Modern art changed hands by the close of three of five sales in the category at Christie’s

    Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) - Diego en chemise écossaise sold for $32.5 million in a guaranteed bid.

    Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) – Diego en chemise écossaise sold for $32.5 million in a guaranteed bid.

    in New York so far this week the auction house has not had it all its own way. Picasso’s sculpture Tete and Herbslandschaft by Kandinsky failed to draw any bids.  According to the estimates they could have brought in $60 million, but with hindsight it can be seen that these estimates were too high. The top lot was Giacometti’s portrait of his brother Diego.  But even this was bought by a guarantor. Estimated at $30-50 million  it was guaranteed by a third party before the sale and changed hands for $32.6 million after failing to attract any bids. This was a new world record for a painting by Giacometti.  The provenance was exceptional and included the Maeght family – founders of the Foundation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the South of France. Giacometti’s previous record for a painting was established by the 1964 Portrait de Caroline, which made $14,601,000 in 2008.

    Bidders from more than 35 countries took part.  There was buying from mainland China throughout the sales series.  China’s richest man Wang Jianlin spent $28.2 million on Picasso’s painting of his children Claude and Paloma.  The 1950 work was estimated at $9-12 million.  Two additional sales of Works of Paper and the Day sale will complete the series in New York later today.
    UPDATE:  The eventual tally for the five sales at Christie’s was $293.7 million.

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on $258 MILLION AND RISING FOR IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART AT CHRISTIE’S

    ANTIQUE FURNITURE AT MARSHS SALE IN CORK

    Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

    A selection of antique furniture will come under the hammer at Marshs, Cork on November 9.  Prime lots include a pair of demi-lune card tables and a Georgian dining table.  Some of the lots are online. Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge it).

    A Georgian dining table with three extra leaves (1,500-2,000).

    A Georgian dining table with three extra leaves (1,500-2,000).  UPDATE:  IT MADE 1,100

    A pair of inlaid mahogany demi-lune card tables (2,000-3,000).

    A pair of inlaid mahogany demi-lune card tables (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 1,600

    A William IV lady's work box (500-700).

    A William IV lady’s work box (500-700).  UPDATE: IT SOLD 600

    A Regency style satinwood occasional table (500-600).

    A Regency style satinwood occasional table (500-600).  UPDATE: IT MADE 600

    Posted in AUCTIONS, FURNITURE | Comments Off on ANTIQUE FURNITURE AT MARSHS SALE IN CORK

    NOW RUNNING AT A COMPUTER NEAR YOU

    Monday, November 4th, 2013

    Now running on a computer near you is  Morgan O’Driscoll‘s online art auction. It will continue until Monday, November 11 at 6.30 p.m.  The catalogue with 267 lots is available everywhere online. Many estimates are reasonable. Here is a small selection:

    Arthur K. Maderson (b.1942) Road to Le Vigan, Point of Sunset (2,500-3,500).

    Arthur K. Maderson (b.1942) Road to Le Vigan, Point of Sunset (2,500-3,500).  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 2,500

    Graham Knuttel (b.1954)Old Nick XXX (6,000-8,000).

    Graham Knuttel (b.1954)Old Nick XXX (6,000-8,000).  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 6,100

    Kenneth Webb RWA FRSA RUA (b.1927) Two Geese (3,500-4,500).

    Kenneth Webb RWA FRSA RUA (b.1927) Two Geese (3,500-4,500).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,100

    George Gillespie RUA (1924-1996) Farmsteads, Co. Donegal (3,000-4,000).

    George Gillespie RUA (1924-1996) Farmsteads, Co. Donegal (3,000-4,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,900

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on NOW RUNNING AT A COMPUTER NEAR YOU

    DEFINING IMAGE OF JANE AUSTEN AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, November 4th, 2013
    Jane Austen Portait with frame.

    Jane Austen Portait with frame.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £164,000

    A portrait of Jane Austen, the defining image of the author which has been reproduced innumerable times and will feature on the Bank of England £10 note in 2017, comes up at Sotheby’s in London on December 10.  Rarely seen in public it is to be the centrepiece of Sotheby’s sale of English Literature and History.  The watercolour has remained in the Austen family since it was painted. It is estimated at £150,000-200,000.

    The portrait was commissioned by Jane Austen’s nephew, Rev. James Edward Austen-Leigh in 1869 to accompany Memoir of Jane Austen, his hugely influential first full-length biography of the novelist. The painting was based on the only confirmed portrait of Jane Austen made during her lifetime – a study by her sister Cassandra, (now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery). Austen-Leigh, who was very close to his aunt, (her surviving letters to him are deeply affectionate) did not believe this depiction did her justice and wanted a truer likeness created for posterity. He tasked a local artist, James Andrews of Maidenhead, with producing a more satisfying version based on Cassandra’s sketch and his own distinctive memories: “In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face … “
    This is the bi-centenary of the publication of three Jane Austen classics, Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on DEFINING IMAGE OF JANE AUSTEN AT SOTHEBY’S

    ROTHSCHILD PRAYERBOOK AT CHRISTIE’S RENAISSANCE SALE

    Monday, November 4th, 2013
    The Rothschild Prayerbook, Illuminated manuscript Book of Hours on vellum, Ghent or Bruges, c.1505 250 leaves. Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2013

    The Rothschild Prayerbook,
    Illuminated manuscript Book of Hours on vellum, Ghent or Bruges, c.1505
    250 leaves. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013  UPDATE: IT MADE $13,605,000.

    The Rothschild Prayerbook is to be the centrepiece of Christie’s Renaissance sale during Old Masters Week in New York next January. Arguably the finest illustrated manuscript in private hands it is expected to inspire fierce competition on January 29 and is estimated at $12-18 million.  It set the world auction record for illuminated manuscripts nearly 15 years ago at Christie’s in London.

    Made around 1505 for a member of the imperial court in the Netherlands the hand painted manuscript prayerbook – a Book of Hours – is one of the highest achievement of Flemish Renaissance painting. There are 150 pages  with miniatures and borders of superlative quality. It is one of a number of luxurious manuscripts produced between 1490 and 1520 for an international clientele and members of the Habsburg Court in the Netherlands. It joined the Rothschild family collection in the 19th century and when last at auction is sold for $13,378,558.

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on ROTHSCHILD PRAYERBOOK AT CHRISTIE’S RENAISSANCE SALE

    EPSTEIN BRONZE AT ADAMS, BLACKROCK

    Sunday, November 3rd, 2013
    Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) Head of a young Negro Boy, green patinated bronze (9,000-10,000)

    Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) Head of a young Negro Boy, green patinated bronze (9,000-10,000)

    A bronze by Sir Jacob Epstein is a highlight at the 400 lot auction at Adams, Blackrock, Co. Dublin on November 5.  Head of a young Negro Boy is a green patinated bronze piece mounted on a marble base. It is estimated at 9,000-10,000.  There is around 40 lots of antique furniture, art and collectibles at reasonable estimates.  The catalogue is on line.  Here is a small selection:

    A 19th century Chinese hardwood armchair (100-200).

    A 19th century Chinese hardwood armchair (100-200).

    Pauline Bewick, The Irish Swan, lithograph (200-300)

    Pauline Bewick, The Irish Swan, lithograph (200-300)

    A Georgian circular tip up table (300-400).

    A Georgian circular tip up table (300-400).

    Posted in AUCTIONS | Comments Off on EPSTEIN BRONZE AT ADAMS, BLACKROCK

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