antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact

    • Archive for the ‘AUCTIONS’ Category

    WORLD RECORD FOR A DIAMOND AT HIGHEST GROSSING JEWEL SALE

    Thursday, November 14th, 2013
    The Pink Star. (Click on image to enlarge it).

    The Pink Star. (Click on image to enlarge it).

    There was a world record price for a diamond at Sotheby’s highest grossing jewellery sale in auction history at Geneva last night.  The Pink Star – a 59.60 carat oval cut pink diamond – made US$83,187,381, a world record for a diamond or any jewel.  The sale of magnificent jewels achieved $199,512,930, the highest total in history.

    The Pink Star was bought by New York based diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, who renamed it The Pink Dream after the sale.  Four bidders competed for the largest internally vivid pink diamond ever graded.
    A diamond brooch created in 1971 sold for $10,555,778, an auction record for a jewel by Van Cleef and Arpels.  There was a world record for a Burmese sapphire when a 114.72 carat stone sold for $7,137,821.  The Richelieu Sapphires, a pair of 47 carat Kashmir sapphires mounted with diamonds as earrings sold for  $8,358,520, a world auction record for sapphire jewels.  A pair of diamond earrings sold for $9,213,009, a record for a pair of colourless diamonds.
    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for September 25, 2013)
    UPDATE:  ON FEBRUARY 27, 2014 Sotheby’s said the buyer, a New York diamond cutter, could not pay.  The company said that  they are in discussions with the buyer while also considering other alternatives.

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on WORLD RECORD FOR A DIAMOND AT HIGHEST GROSSING JEWEL SALE

    IRISH GEORGE II TABLE SELLS FOR £185,000 AT DREWATTS

    Wednesday, November 13th, 2013
    This George II Irish side table made £185,000 at hammer at Drewatts.

    This George II Irish side table made £185,000 at hammer at Drewatts.

    A beautiful George II Irish mahogany side table sold for a hammer price of £185,000 at Drewatts Donnington Priory salerooms near Newbury in Berkshire today.  Estimated at just £8,000-12,000 the table is entirely original and is a very fine example of a top quality circa 1750 Irish piece.  It is understood that the table was bought by the Irish antique trade and that it will come back to Ireland.

    The rectangular top has a gadrooned edge above a profusely carved and pierced frieze centred by a lion mask flanked by swags of oak branches and flowerheads. The side friezes are centred by a carved shell, a swag beneath, on cabriole legs with acanthus carved terminals, on stylised lion paw feet.  It came from Townley Hall in Co. Louth built in 1799 for the Townley Balfour family. It is  regarded as a masterpiece in the classical style of Francis Johnston, the foremost Irish architect of his day.
    The poet laureate Sir John Betjeman, in a survey of the work of Francis Johnson wrote: ‘I have seen many Irish houses, but I know none at once so dignified, so restrained and so original as Francis Johnston’s Townley Hall’ .

    Posted in AUCTIONS, FURNITURE | Comments Off on IRISH GEORGE II TABLE SELLS FOR £185,000 AT DREWATTS

    BACON’S FREUD TRIPTYCH BECOMES MOST VALUABLE PAINTING SOLD AT AUCTION EVER

    Wednesday, November 13th, 2013
    Francis Bacon's Three Studies of Lucian Freud, 1969. (Click on image to enlarge it).

    Francis Bacon’s Three Studies of Lucian Freud, 1969. (Click on image to enlarge it).

    Francis Bacon’s Three Studies of Lucian Freud became the most valuable painting ever sold at auction when it made $142,405,000 at Christie’s in New York last night. There was at least six bidders for the work. Christie’s November sale surpassed its record breaking May result and achieved $691,583,000 – the highest auction total in art market history.  The sell through rate  at the Post War and Contemporary Art evening sale was 98% by value and 91% by lot.  Eleven of 69 lots sold for more than $20 million and only six failed to find buyers.

    There were ten world auction records:  Bacon, Jeff Koons, Christopher Wool, Lucio Fontana, Donald Judd, Wade Guyton, Vija Celmins, Ad Reinhardt, Willem de Koning and  Wayne Thiebaud.  Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons sold for $58,405,000 to become the most expensive work by a living artist sold at auction.

    “We are thrilled to announce an historic total of $691.6 million for this evening’s sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art. It is the second time this year that Christie’s has broken the highest total in auction history,” said Brett Gorvy, Chairman and International Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art.  “Collectors from 42 countries registered tonight with strong bidding from American, European and Asian collectors but also from institutions. The sale was heavily focused on icons and masterworks, achieving an astonishing 10 record prices and breaking the record for any work of art ever sold at auction. Beyond the records, 10,000 art lovers flocked to Christie’s galleries in the last week to engage with and enjoy the remarkable selection of artworks on display.”

    Christie’s two-day auction series devoted to Post-War and Contemporary Art achieved a grand total of $ 782,368,375

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for September 10, 2013 and October 10, 2013).

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on BACON’S FREUD TRIPTYCH BECOMES MOST VALUABLE PAINTING SOLD AT AUCTION EVER

    RE-DISCOVERED CLAUDE ONCE OWNED BY EARLS OF PORTARLINGTON

    Monday, November 11th, 2013
    Claude Lorrain (1600-1682) - A Mediterranean port at sunrise with the Embarkation of Saint Paula for Jerusalem. Christie's Images Ltd., 2013

    Claude Lorrain (1600-1682) – A Mediterranean port at sunrise with the Embarkation of Saint Paula for Jerusalem. Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £5,066,500

    A re-discovered masterpiece by Claude, once in the possession of the Earls of Portarlington, comes up at Christie’s sale of Old Master and British Paintings in London on December 3.  A Mediterranean port at sunrise with the Embarkation of St. Paula for Jerusalem by Claude Lorrain (1600-1682), one of the greatest and most influential landscape painters of 17th century Europe, is estimated at £3-5 million.  The painting was in Smith collection at Hambleden Manor, Buckinghamshire and, though not unrecorded, was inaccessible to scholars even through photographic reproduction.  It has been unseen by the public since the late 19th century.

    Commissioned in 1650 by the Roman Cardinal Domenico Cecchini (1589-1656), and recorded as such in the artist’s illustrated record of commissions (the Liber Veritatis), the picture was in the collection of the Earls of Portarlington probably by the late 18th century.  One hundred years later it was owned by the famous English retailer WH Smith.

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on RE-DISCOVERED CLAUDE ONCE OWNED BY EARLS OF PORTARLINGTON

    SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE AT WOODWARDS SILVER SALE

    Saturday, November 9th, 2013

    There is something to suit all pockets, from rare and collectible items to gifts for special occasions, at Woodwards silver sale in Cork on November 13.  Rare pieces of Irish Provincial silver like a c1785 ladle by Patrick Connell of Limerick and a large Cork sauceboat by William Reynolds are alongside much more affordable examples for new collectors.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection with some of the most desireable items:

    George II plain Irish silver baluster mug by J Moore, Dublin, c.1750 (1,500-2,500).

    George II plain Irish silver baluster mug by J Moore, Dublin, c.1750 (1,500-2,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,400

    Rare c1785 ladle by Patrick Connell, Limerick (5,000-7,000).

    Rare c1785 ladle by Patrick Connell, Limerick (5,000-7,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000

     

    Pair of profusely decorated London silver fighting cocks (2,800-3,200).

    Pair of profusely decorated London silver fighting cocks (2,800-3,200).  UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD

    George II Irish silver punch strainer by J. Gumley, Dublin c1759 (2,400-2,700).George II Irish silver punch strainer by J. Gumley, Dublin c1759 (2,400-2,700). UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,100

    A George V Irish Silver dish ring by S.H. Waterhouse, Dublin 1932 (1,200-1,500).

    A George V Irish Silver dish ring by S.H. Waterhouse, Dublin 1932 (1,200-1,500).UPDATE: THIS MADE 925

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE AT WOODWARDS SILVER SALE

    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

    « Older Entries
    Newer Entries »