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Posts Tagged ‘Christie’s’

THE JEWELS OF PRINCESS GABRIELA ZU LEININGEN AT CHRISTIE’S

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

Superb jewels from the collection of Princess Gabriela zu Leiningen will be offered by Christie’s in Geneva on May 18. The 46 lots headed by the 36.09 carat Pohl diamond are expected to realise more than US$15 million. The Princess hails from a successful German entrepreneurial and philanthropic family. A qualified lawyer, she was married to Prince Karl-Emich zu Leiningen for seven years, and became a consultant for UNESCO in Paris, advising on equality and women’s rights. In May 1998, Princess Gabriela married His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of the Ismaili community, international entrepreneur, horse-breeder and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network. During their 16-year marriage, the Princess held the title Begum Inaara Aga Khan and received superb and unique jewels from her then husband, a great art connoisseur, furthering her already extensive collection. Several of them are to be presented in the Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction in May. Here is a selection from the sale:

UPDATE: The collection made a total of US$22.5 million and was 100% sold.

The Pohl diamond (US$3.8-5.5 million). UPDATE: THIS MADE $4,415,885

A five strand natural pearl and diamond necklace ($350,000-500,000). UPDATE; this made $435,552

An emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier ($2.5-3.5 million) UPDATE: THIS MADE $2,895,074

A ruby and diamond novelty brooch by Cartier ($10,000-15,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE $275,673

Tags: Christie's, PRINCESS GABRIELA ZU LEININGEN
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ARMCHAIRS BY DIEGO GIACOMETTI ONCE OWNED BY COCO CHANEL

Thursday, March 24th, 2016

The armchairs in patinated bronze by Diego Giacometti.

A pair of armchairs by Diego Giacometti once in the collection of Coco Chanel will come up at Christie’s in Paris on May 25. Made in 1963 and gifted by Chanel to her doctor they are estimated at 120,000-180,000. The armchairs are in patinated bronze. After the Libération Coco Chanel fled to Switzerland and settled near Lausanne, on the edge of the Lac Leman. She lived there for nearly ten years, occasionally travelling to Paris. At the Valmont Clinic, which she attended, she offered the chairs to her doctor in gratitude for the medical care received. They have stayed in his family until now.

Paule de Smedt, director of the decorative arts and design department at Christie’s in Paris said: “We are glad to present this beautiful pair of armchairs in our next evening sale. It gathers all the required criteria of the actual art market: works of art of high quality, in very good condition and from a prestigious provenance”.

Tags: Christie's, Coco Chanel, Diego Giacometti
Posted in AUCTIONS, FURNITURE | No Comments »

A LANDMARK SALE OF SHAKESPEARE’S FIRST FOLIOS AT CHRISTIE’S

Friday, March 18th, 2016

Shakespeare – The First Editions

A landmark sale of the first four folios, the first four editions of Shakespeare’s collected works takes place at Christie’s in London in May. The Folios will be offered in a four-lot auction commemorating 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) on May 25. The sale is led by an unrecorded copy of the First Folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, widely considered the most important literary publication in the English language. The First Folio contains 36 plays, 18 of which had not previously been printed and would have otherwise been lost forever. It is estimated at £800,000-1.2 million.

The plays of Shakespeare, preserved for posterity in these volumes, define our knowledge of Shakespeare the man, the playwright, the poet and the actor. The Four Folios will tour to New York from 1 to 8 April 1 to April 8 and go on public display in London from April 20 to 28 April to celebrate Shakespeare’s 400^thanniversary on April 23.

Margaret Ford, International Head of Books & Manuscripts, says: “The universality and timelessness of Shakespeare’s insight into human nature continues to engage and enthrall audiences the world over. Even four centuries after his death, his plays touch and transform lives and continue to be read and performed from Albania to Zambia. It is deeply moving to handle the first printed record of his collected plays and to be reminded of their tremendous impact. Especially exhilarating is bringing a newly recorded copy of the First Folio to public attention, and to be able to offer a set of the Four Folios in this important anniversary year.”

Tags: Christie's, First Folios, Shakespeare
Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | No Comments »

JAPANESE ART AT CHRISTIE’S IN PARIS

Wednesday, March 16th, 2016

A personal collection of Japanese art reflecting the taste of four generations of experts and collectors comes up in Paris on June 21. The Portier family, major figures of the Asian art market in France, will offer 90 lots at Hotel Drout through Beaussant Lefèvre in association with Christie’s. Highlights include 8 exceptional Japanese stamps from the Edo period. They are mainly okubi-e (portraits of actors) by masters Toshusai Sharaku (active between 1794 and 1795), Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), Kitagawa Kunimasa (1773-1810) and Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825). Each piece was acquired by Henri Portier and his son André (1886-1963), great-grandfather and grandfather to Patrick, Thierry and Emeric Portier, through various auctions held at Drouot in the 1900’s.

With the exception of three exhibitions where some stamps were shown (Utamaro in 1976 and Sharaku, portraits d’acteurs at the Huguette Bérès Gallery, Paris and Toulouse-Lautrec and Utamaro in 1980 at the Mitsukoshi museum, Tokyo), these works have remained out of the public eye since their acquisition over a century ago.

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 ? -1806)
Deeply Hidden Love (Fukaku shinobu koi), from the series Anthology of Poems: The Love Section (Kasen koi no bu), with pink mica ground
Oban tate-e (80,000-100,000). © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2016

oshusai Sharaku (active circa 1794-1795) The actor Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi, the wife of Ogishi Kurando, with dark grey mica ground Oban tate-e: (50,000-70,000) © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2016

Toshusai Sharaku (active circa 1794-1795)
The actor Segawa Tomisaburo II as Yadorigi, the wife of Ogishi Kurando, with dark grey mica ground
Oban tate-e: (50,000-70,000) © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2016

Tags: Christie's, Sharaku, Utamara
Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | No Comments »

A MASTERPIECE BY RUBENS AT CHRISTIE’S IN JULY

Friday, March 11th, 2016

SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS (Seigen 1577-1640 Antwerp), Lot and his Daughters, circa 1613-1614. Courtesy CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2016

Sir Peter Paul Rubens’s masterpiece, Lot and his Daughters (circa 1613-1614) is to be sold by Christie’s in London in July. An outstanding example of Rubens’s early maturity this is one of the most important paintings by the artist to have remained in private hands. It has been hidden from public view for over a century. Lot and his Daughters will be exhibited during Christie’s New York Classic Week on April 8-12 and in Hong Kong from May 26-30. It will be the centerpiece of a curated week of sales, Classic Week, in London and will lead Christie’s Old Master & British Paintings evening dale on July 7.

The work boasts a distinguished provenance. It was once part of the collections of wealthy Antwerp merchants; a Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands; Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor; and the Dukes of Marlborough. It was included in the first volume of The English Connoisseur from 1766 and has since been listed in all the major publications on Rubens’s work. The sale of this painting by the quintessential artist of the Northern Baroque presents a rare opportunity for both international collectors and institutions.

“After the historic private sale of two Rembrandt Portraits* to the French and Dutch states earlier this year, Christie’s is leading the masterpiece market by offering this monumental work by the other stellar artist of the Northern School, Sir Peter Paul Rubens. The impact of this painting in the flesh is overwhelming: we look forward to seeing the reactions of those who come to view it when we exhibit it in New York, Hong Kong and London.” said Paul Raison, Deputy Chairman, Old Master Pictures.

UPDATE: THIS MADE £44,882,500, THE HIGHEST PRICE EVER ACHIEVED FOR AN OLD MASTER AT CHRISTIE’S

Tags: Christie's, Classic Week, Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | No Comments »

A WATCH OWNED BY THE FOUNDER OF AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016

A Breguet watch once owned by Charles-Louis Havas, founder of Agence France Presse, comes up at Christie’s in Geneva on May 16. The self-winding quarter repeating watch with equation of time, day, month and power reserve was acquired on December 31, 1817 by Charles-Louis Havas (1783-1858), founder of AFP. The former international merchant who became banker, then journalist and translator, came up with the concept of an international and universal news agency in 1835, at the age of 52. This man of great taste, from a wealthy family, acquired this 18k golden watch which reunites the whole savoir faire of the Maison Breguet. It is today considered amongst the most complicated watch ever realized by Breguet following the example of the watch N°144, sold at Christie’s in 2012 at the record price of 3.6 million euros. This one is estimated at 600,000-1.2 million Swiss francs. UPDATE: IT WAS SOLD TO A PRIVATE SWISS MUSEUM FOR CHF3,245,000

Breguet et Fils, Paris No. 217. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016.

Brequet et Fils, Paris No. 217

Tags: AFP, Breguet, Charles-Louis Havas, Christie's
Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | No Comments »

ART BY FRANCIS BACON AND TONY O’MALLEY REUNITED ON SAME CANVAS AT CHRISTIE’S

Monday, February 29th, 2016

The O’Malley paintings with Bacon on the back.

A lost unfinished nude by Francis Bacon on the back of two early paintings by Tony O’Malley surfaces at The Modern British & Irish Art sale at Christie’s South Kensington on March 17. Bacon started Figure when working in St Ives, Cornwall in the late 1950’s, but when the artist cut short his visit following an argument with his partner he abandoned the work, among many others. It was divided into two by Tony O’Malley who worked and lived at St. Ives for many years. He went on to paint two scenes on the opposite sides: Currach, Clare Island and Evening Landscape Tehidy Hospital.

The works were separated in different collections – the O’Malley family and the Fallon family – for many years. They have now been reunited and will be offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000. Given the amount of interest generated this could be conservative.

UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £434,000

Here is a video about the reunited Bacon:

Tags: Christie's, francis bacon, Tony O'Malley
Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | No Comments »

STING’S STEINWAY SELLS FOR £116,500 AT CHRISTIE’S

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

A GERMAN EBONISED ‘MODEL B’ GRAND PIANO STEINWAY & SONS (EST. 1853), HAMBURG, 1909, RESTORED IN 2002. Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2013.

A GERMAN EBONISED ‘MODEL B’ GRAND PIANO
STEINWAY & SONS (EST. 1853), HAMBURG, 1909, RESTORED IN 2002. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016.

Sting’s Steinway Grand Piano sold for £116,500 at Christie’s sale in London today. The piano on which Sting worked on for a decade aroused international interest. It was sold in the Queen Anne’s Gate: Works from the Art Collection of Sting & Trudie Styler sale at which it had been estimated at £30,000-50,000.

Sting’s Steinway grand piano occupied pride of place in the music room at Queen Anne’s Gate. He worked extensively with this piano specifically on three albums: Songs from the Labyrinth, If on a Winter’s Night…, and The Last Ship. The world renowned Steinway & Sons was established in New York, and this model B-137185 grand piano was registered and produced by Steinway Hamburg in 1909. The piano was restored, ebonised and subsequently purchased by Sting & Trudie Styler in 2002. The sale realized £3,006,812.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 28, 2015)

Tags: Christie's, Steinway, STING
Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | No Comments »

BOND’S ASTON MARTIN MAKES £2.43 MILLION

Friday, February 19th, 2016

The Aston Martin DB10 with Daniel Craig.

The top lot at the first part of Christie’s sale of James Bond Spectre Memorabilia in London last night was Bond’s Aston Martin which made £2,434,500. The sale realised £2,785,500. All profitable proceeds are for charity. The auction of ten lots was to celebrate the Home Entertainment release of Spectre on Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 22. Proceeds are for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), other charitable organisations and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Registered bidders from 25 countries across four continents took part. Afterwards producer Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented that they were truly delighted that the money raised will help vital medical projects in South Sudan, Syria and Yemen and thanked Aston Martin for donating the Aston Martin DB10. It is one of a series designed and engineered exclusively for James Bond Spectre. The Day of the Dead costume worn by Daniel Craig made £98,500. Spectre is the 24th film in the James Bond series.

The online-only auction of 14 lots, James Bond Spectre: Online, remains open for bidding until February 23 at www.christies.com/spectreonline Estimates are from £1,000 to £7,000.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for January 21, 2016)

Tags: Aston Martin, Christie's, James Bond, Spectre
Posted in AUCTIONS, Miscellaneous | No Comments »

SEVEN SALES = £190 MILLION AT CHRISTIE’S

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

20th christies A strong total of £190,230,950 was achieved by Christie’s across seven sales from January 29 to February 12. Registered bidders from 71 countries across six continents, gave a strong indication that a ‘globalisation’ of taste continues to drive the evolution of collecting today. The sell-through rate was 86% by value and 84% by lot. All of the top ten lots were sold at the Impressionist, Modern and Surreal evening sale which achieved a total of £117,788,500. The Post-War and Contemporary evening auction achieved £58,099,000. British painting led the results with three decades of work by Peter Doig, David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud making stand out results – the top six results were for British artists.

Tags: British art, Christie's, contemporary, Surreal
Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | No Comments »

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Posts Tagged ‘Christie’s’

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