Category: Antiques

Latest World Art News about Antiques, Ancient Artifacts and much more

Islamic Sarghitmish Lamp Sets World Record as Most Expensive Glass Artifact, Selling for $6.5 Million at Bonhams

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In a landmark moment for art history, a 14th-century Sarghitmish mosque lamp from Egypt has shattered records, fetching an extraordinary £5,130,400 ($6.56 million) at Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art Sale in London on November 12, 2024. The sale attracted intense competition both in the room and via phone bidders, solidifying the lamp’s status as the most expensive glass object ever sold at auction. Initially estimated at £600,000-1,000,000 ($785,000-1,300,000), the lamp’s final price far exceeded expectations.

Alexander Fleming’s ‘Mold That Made Penicillin’ Sells for Record $76,000

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In a landmark auction event, a medallion featuring the original mold used in Alexander Fleming’s groundbreaking discovery of penicillin sold for a record $76,000 at Bonhams History of Science and Technology sale in New York on October 23. The medallion, one of a select few made by Fleming himself, was inscribed with the words: “The mould that first made penicillin / Alexander Fleming.”

Traditional Treasures: The Art and Legacy of Chinese Pu’er Tea

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Pu’er tea, a symbol of China’s rich cultural heritage, transcends its role as a simple beverage. Originating in the misty mountains of Yunnan and once traded along the historic Tea Horse Route, it carries with it centuries of artistry and tradition. Among the most intriguing aspects of Pu’er tea are its concentrated tea cubes, once crafted exclusively for Chinese royalty. These cubes represent the pinnacle of tea-making craftsmanship, each step of their intricate production—from fermentation to pressing—reflecting the reverence for detail and mastery. Today, these “traditional treasures” not only offer a taste of ancient China but also preserve the legacy of an art form that continues to inspire and endure.

One of the Rarest and Most Important Islamic Glass Artifacts to Appear at Auction: Egypt’s First Prime Minister Nubar Pasha’s Ancient 14th-Century Sarghitmish Mosque Lamp

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A rare and historically significant 14th-century Mamluk mosque lamp from Egypt, known as the Sarghitmish lamp, will be a highlight at Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art Sale on 12 November 2024. With an estimated value of £600,000-1,000,000, this exquisite piece of Islamic glassware boasts impeccable provenance, having been in the family of Egypt’s first Prime Minister, Nubar Pasha, for over a century. The lamp, commissioned by Emir Sarghitmish during the reign of Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad, is adorned with intricate enamel and gilded inscriptions, blending piety and politics in its design. Its rich exhibition history includes displays in some of Paris’ most prominent museums, making it one of the most important examples of medieval Islamic craftsmanship ever offered at auction.

Introducing Memplex Art: Andreas Niederau-Kaiser’s Vision for Preserving Cultural Information in Time Capsules and Monumental Art

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Andreas Niederau-Kaiser, a visionary artist known for his innovative approach to cultural preservation through memplex art, is seeking support for two groundbreaking projects aimed at safeguarding humanity’s legacy. Inspired by the artistic philosophy of Sigmar Polke and driven by a divine calling, Niederau-Kaiser has committed his work to ensuring that cultural information units outlast the spirit of the times.

Where is Salvator Mundi? World’s Most Expensive Painting Set to Become Saudi Arabia’s Crown Jewel in Billion-Dollar Museum Gamble

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Recent reports suggest that Leonardo da Vinci’s elusive ‘Salvator Mundi’ painting may soon re-emerge as the centerpiece of a new museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The painting’s purchase by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as MBS, was initially shrouded in secrecy, with his identity as the buyer only revealed through subsequent media reports. Since then, rumors have swirled about the painting’s location, with some speculating that it was being housed on MBS’s luxury yacht, the “Serene.”

Gates of the Underground: Sculptors Beránek and Prošek Unveil Mesmerizing Exhibition in Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern

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This large-scale exhibition is one of the most extensive Czech sculpture exhibitions in Istanbul to date. “Gates of the Underground” examines our deep connection to the past by immersing us in the landscapes imagined by Vlastimil Beránek and Jaroslav Prošek. Beránek creates his unique sculptures in his studio in the Czech Republic. His expression of solid foundations encourages everyone to pause, or at least slow down, and appreciate the best feelings within each of us. Beránek is truly a Renaissance personality, excelling as a painter, architect, writer, graphic artist, poet, and designer, with his primary domain remaining sculpture. His simple forms, executed in materials such as glass, represent the perfectionist tendencies that Beránek contrasts with ancient 6,500-year-old wood in his later work, showcasing the ultimate expression of his post-minimalist approach to this medium. Beránek seeks a unique balance between abstract form, inspired by innermost values, and the irrefutable completeness of his sculptures.

A New Goliath for the Art World: Gander & White Adds 48-ft Tractor Trailer to Its Fleet of Art Freight Vehicles

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Gander & White, the world’s leading expert in the storage, transportation, and installation of high-value cultural objects, has launched a 48-ft tractor trailer that will facilitate its twice-monthly shuttle between California and New York. The colossal vehicle is among the best in the industry, having been built to Gander & White’s own specifications, and presents a new means of reliable and regular shipment between galleries, museums, and collectors situated on either coast.

$1.5 Million 1926 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Two-Seater to be Auctioned in Belgium

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The Bugatti Type 35, produced at Bugatti’s Molsheim factory between 1924 and 1930, is renowned for its innovative design and racing prowess. The car’s distinctive arch-shaped radiator and tapered ‘Bordino tail,’ possibly influenced by the Fiat 804 driven by Pietro Bordino, are emblematic features. The Type 35 was also pioneering in its use of cast alloy wheels, a first in automotive history.

The World’s Most Expensive Dinosaur: $44.6 Million Stegosaurus ‘Apex’ Fossil | VIDEO

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The stegosaurus known as “Apex” has set a new record, selling for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York on July 17, 2024, making it the most valuable fossil ever sold. This significant sale exceeded its pre-sale low estimate by over 11 times and concluded with applause after 15 minutes of bidding. Seven bidders competed for “Apex” during the live auction, with an anonymous buyer ultimately securing the fossil. The buyer intends to explore loaning the specimen to a U.S. institution, stating, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!”