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FUTURISTIC IN 1976 AND AN ANTIQUE TODAY

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

This 1976 Apple computer heralded a future that would change the world.

FUTURISTIC then and a collector’s item today a 1976 model of the first Apple computer – in cyber speak as original an antique as anyone could hope for – will come under the hammer at Christie’s in London on October 9. The Apple-1 serial number 22 from the estate of former Apple employee Joe Copson will be sold at Christie’s Travel, Science and Natural History auction in South Kensington. Designed and hand built by Steve Wozniak with improvements suggested by Steve Jobs the Apple-1 consisted of a pre-assembled motherboard sold without a casing, power supply, keyboard or monitor. A keyboard and a tv was needed to operate it.

The first Apple-1’s were sent to customers from the garage of Steve Jobs’ parents house. Originally it cost $666.66, but by April 1977 the price had dropped to $475. It continued to be sold until August of that year. Less than 200 were produced. By October 1980 Apple had established a factory in Cork city. With huge iPhone revenues it is now the world’s biggest company, worth more than Microsoft and Google combined. This Apple-1 is estimated at £50,000-80,000.

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CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK ASIAN ART WEEK

Monday, August 27th, 2012

A highlight of the auctions is this Qianlong green jade brush pot, masterfully carved with a scene of the Six Scholars of Zhuxi, estimated at $500,000-800,000. It was formerly owned by Heber R. Bishop (1840-1902), whose jades form the cornerstone of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. UPDATE: THIS MADE $482,500.

Superb examples of art from China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia will feature in sales at Christie’s New York Asian Art Week from September 11-14. The Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sales on September 13-14 comprise over 500 lots and feature a broad range of art and objects, including jade, porcelain, ceramics, snuff bottles, and archaic and later bronzes. Estimates range from $5,000-800,000 and these sales are expected to bring in over $15 million.

The sale of Japanese and Korean art is on September 11 with South East Asian Modern and Contemporary art and Indian and Southeast Asian art on the following day. Here are some highlights from the ceramics sale. Click on any image to enlarge. All images are courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd., 2012.

A Peachbloom baluster vase, Yongzheng Period (1723-1735) is estimated at $70,000-90,000. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $122,500.

A Celadon Pomegranate vase Qianlong Period (1736-1795) is estimated at $40,000-60,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE $146,500.

A pair of Famille Rose `Chicken’ Dishes Caihua Tang Zhi four-character hall marks Qianlong/Jiajing Period (1736-1820) estimated at $40,000-60,000. UPDATE: THESE MADE $62,500.

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DECORATIVE ARTS AT SOTHEBY’S COLLECTIONS AUCTION

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Fine and decorative arts from the 16th to the 20th centuries will feature at Sotheby’s inaugural “Collections” auction in London on September 27. The sale of English and Continental furniture, clocks, tapestries, rugs, silver, Chinese export porcelain, sculpture and Old Master Paintings will feature 306 lots. Estimates range from £500 to £100,000.

Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe and Henry House, Senior Director and Head of Department, English Furniture, commented: “We are delighted to present the first of our “Collections” auctions, which have been designed to offer our decorative arts and furniture clients a completely new perspective. Here, carefully curated in one auction, we have, in effect, discrete single owner sales, each offering historic, fresh to the market works, which should delight the decorator, connoisseur and collector alike.” The auction has a combined estimate of more than £1.7 million. Here is a small selection. You can click on any image to enlarge it. UPDATE: THE AUCTION REALISED £1,984,752.

An elegant pair of George III carved giltwood elbow chairs by England’s greatest cabinet maker, Thomas Chippendale, estimated to realise £20,000-£30,000. UPDATE: THESE MADE £73,250

An allegorical Flemish tapestry from the series depicting the planets after woodcuts by the German artist Georg Pencz. Dating from the mid-sixteenth century the tapestry depicts the sun (Leo) ascending to the heavens in a chariot, and is estimated at £50,000-60,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE £43,250.

From Plumpton Place, the Lutyens manor house formerly owned by Tom Perkins, comes an eclectic offering reflecting the collecting passions of the legendary venture capitalist. “Neptun”, a solid silver, fully rigged model ship almost a metre high, dating from the early years of the twentieth century, is estimated at £15,000-20,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE £32,450

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COLLECTOR’S TREASURES AT LAPADA IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER

Friday, August 17th, 2012

: FRANCIS BACON (Dublin 1909-1992 Madrid) Triptych inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus, 1981 will be at Gildens Art Gallery.

The 1981 Bacon Triptych on the left was inspired by Oresteia of Aeschylus, a trilogy of Greek tragedies which concerns the end of the curse on the House of Atreus (King of Mycenae). The first tragedy is Agamemnon, second is The Libation Bearers where the children of Agamemnon take their revenge. The final is The Eumenides (which also inspired a Triptych by Bacon) where the son of Agamemnon is tourmented by the patricide and matricide he just committed in the second act. This original lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist.

The Bacon litho is one of a variety of collector’s treasures from the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair at Berkeley Square in London from September 19-23 next. The Horati clock (below right) was inspired by a picture by Jacques Louis David painted in 1784 depicting the sacrificial oath taken by three Horati brothers, symbols of ancient Roman valour, before their father holding three swords to stand against the Curati. The base plaque depicts the aftermath of battle where only one of the brothers survives amidst his dying brothers and slain enemies.

LAPADA is the largest UK trade association for professional art and antique dealers. Click on any image to enlarge it. (See post on antiquesandartireland.comfor July 29, 2012).

Theo Johns Fine Art will show a recently discovered oil on canvas entitled Young Washerwomen by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (Grasse 1732-1806 Paris).

‘NYC II’, acrylic on canvas by the Spanish artist Salvador Monto will be at Lucy B. Campbell Fine Art.

This museum-quality French Empire ormolu mantel clock depicting the “Oath of the Horati” c1805 after a painting by Jacques Louis David of 1784 will be shown by Richard Price Associates.

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CASTIGLIONE DOUBLE LOTUS SCROLL AT SOTHEBY’S, HONG KONG

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

Double Lotus For The Yongzheng Emperor (1723 – 1735), Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining, 1688 – 1766). (Estimate on request).

An exquisite hanging scroll painting by Italian Jesuit Giuseppi Castiglione is a highlight of Sotheby’s Hong Kong sales from October 5-9. A celebrated official painter to the Qing Imperial court Castiglione’s works rarely appear on the market. Born in Milan he took the name Lang Shining while in China. Double Lotus for the Yongzheng Emperor was executed during the Yongzheng period between 1723 and 1735.

The sales series will feature ceramics, paintings, contemporary Asian art, 20th century Chinese art, contemporary Southeast Asian paintings, jewellery, watches and wines. It will include selections from You Yi Tang’s private collection of Chinese paintings in Hong Kong with outstanding works by Zhang Daqian throughout his artistic career. Here is a small selection of images, courtesy of and copyright of Sotheby’s. You can click on any image to enlarge:

Zeng Fanzhi (b. 1964) Fire 2007. Oil On Canvas Est: HK$7 – 9 million /US$900,000–1.2 million. UPDATE: LOT SOLD. 8,420,000 HKD

Fu Baoshi (1904 – 1965) Landscape After Shitao 1942. Ink And Colour On Paper. UPDATE: LOT SOLD. 11,860,000 HKD

Zhang Daqian (1899 – 1983) Swiss Peaks; Calligraphy in Xingshu 1968. Set Of Two. Est: HK$8 – 12 million / US$1 – 1.5 million. UPDATE: LOT SOLD. 23,060,000 HKD

A Fine And Extremely Rare Pair Of Yellow Ground Famille-Rose Double-Gourd Vases Seal Marks And Period Of Qianlong. Est: HK$40 – 60 million / US$ 5.1 – 7.7 million.
LOT SOLD. 107,060,000 HKD

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1830’s TELESCOPE AT KERRY AUCTION

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

The refracting telescope from the 1830’s. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

This classic west of Ireland scene by Phil Higgisson is at Kerry Auction Rooms.

AN 1830’s refracting telescope will come under the hammer in Tralee on August 14. The fine example of a country house telescope is estimated at 2,500-3,500 at Kerry Auction Rooms, Moyderwell, Tralee Antique furniture includes a 19th century oak case clock with painted arch dial, a 19th century stick barometer and an early Victorian two drawer side table.

There is military, Irish hallmarked silver sports medals from the 1940’s, jewellery, collectibles including a wall display signed by Muhammad Ali and five west of Ireland coastal scnes by artist Phil Higgisson. The catalogue is on-line.

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HEGARTY’S EVENING AUCTION IN BANDON ON AUGUST 14

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

A number of furniture lots from country houses are to be included in Hegarty’s evening sale in Bandon in west Cork on Tuesday, August 14. It features lots from the 18th century Sunville House on The Square in Bantry and from Annedale House in Co. Leitrim. The catalogue will be on-line. Meantime here is a small selection:

A William IV rosewood workbox (500-800). UPDATE: IT MADE 550

A Japanese painted scroll (800-1,200). UPDATE: THIS MADE 380.

A 19th century Chinese ginger jar and cover (700-1,000). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

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CARLO MOLLINO FURNITURE FROM CASA CATTANEO AT CHRISTIE’S

Saturday, August 4th, 2012

Dining suite
Oak, chestnut and linoleum, 1953, comprising of:
Large dining table: 79 x 160 x 64 cm.
Small dining table: 79 x 99.5 x 89.5 cm.
Ten dining chairs, each: 94 x 38 x 45 cm.
Estimate: £500,000 – 700,000. (Click on image to enlarge).

A collection of furnishings from Casa Cattaneo designed by Carlo Mollino – the most sought-after 20th century Italian designer – will feature at Christie’s sale of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design next October 23. Constructed on the foothills of the Alps, and benefitting from majestic views over Lake Maggiore, the Casa Cattaneo endures as a unique and complete surviving expression of Carlo Mollino’s distinctive architecture and interior design. Casa Cattaneo is the only private villa ever designed by Mollino and is one of very few of his structures to remain intact. Comprising 10 lots the collection is expected to realise in excess of £700,000.
From the late 1940’s to the mid 1950’s Carlo Mollino (1905-1973) produced a spectacular portfolio of works and projects including domestic commissions, hotel interiors and commercial developments. In the ’50’s and ’60’s he turned increasingly to technical projects, designing racetracks for cars, filling stations and aircraft hangers. He held various technical patents and designed cars. Remarkably little physical evidence for such a versatile creator survives. Only a dozen of his buildings remain, most have been altered, abandoned or changed beyond recognition and furniture was produced in limited quantities for specific commissions. Christie’s hold the auction record for a work by Mollino. A unique oak, glass and wood table designed for Casa Orengo in 1949 sold for $3.8 million in New York in 2005.

Casa Cattaneo, overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Casa Cattaneo fireplace. (Click on image to enlarge).

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AMAZING MODERNIST HUNGARIAN SILVER TEA SERVICE

Sunday, July 29th, 2012

AN amazing Hungarian modernist tea service is among the treasures to be found at the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair at Berkeley Square in London from September 19-23. Around 95 of the UK’s major art and antique dealers alongside European specialists who are among 600 members of LAPADA – the Association of Art & Antiques Dealers – will attend. LAPADA is the largest UK trade association for professional art and antique dealers.

Exhibitors offer fine English and Continental furniture, modern and contemporary art, Old Master paintings and drawings, rare and fine jewellery, English silver, sculpture and specialities such as antique clocks, vintage wristwatches, marine art, aeronautica, rugs and textiles, ceramics, porcelain and glass. This will be the fourth edition of the Mayfair fair. The six day event normally attracts around 15,000 visitors.

Smith and Robinson will show this rare Hungarian modernist silver tea & coffee service dating from 1963-65. The tray is 16″ x 11″. The service is hallmarked 835 silver. (Click on image to enlarge).

Detail from a Florentine giltwood and porphyry side table attributed to Franceso Morini and supplied to Marchese Gino Capponi, Palazzo Capponi, Florence c1860 at Butchoff Antiques. (Click on image to enlarge).

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AN OLYMPIC MOMENT AT CHRISTIE’S, SOUTH KENSINGTON

Saturday, July 28th, 2012

First Place Olympic Medal, Athens 1896 silver medal designed by J.C.Chaplain (1839-1909), estimated at £20,000 – 30,000. (Click on image to enlarge). Courtesy, Christies Images Ltd. 2012.

Walter Herz (b.1909) Olympic Games London 1948 lithograph in colours. Estimate £1,000-1,500. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2012. (Click on image to enlarge).

THE Olympic Games now underway after a truly spectacular opening ceremony in London last night will be marked in all sorts of ways.

In keeping with the Celebration of Britain theme at the opening the auction house Christie’s has put together an exhibition entitled My London: Art & Icons, Then & Now. On view at South Kensington, where it will be auctioned on September 3, it comprises over 150 lots ranging from a 1948 London Olympics poster to an iconic red London bus.

The double decker bus, which can be viewed by appointment, dates from 1966 and is estimated at £20,000-30,000. A lithograph of the Olympic Games, London, 1948 is more affordably estimated at £1,000-1,500.

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Archive for the ‘COLLECTIBLES’ Category

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