French Restorer & Furniture Maker, Didier Guenard, Tells His Story of Creativity and InnovationDuct-Taped Banana Sells for $6.2 Million vs. 6.2 Million Children Die from Starvation Each YearThe Great Spadolini – Dance, Art & Espionage650 LADDERS – Aaron T Stephan’s Sculpture “Paths Rising” Installed at Tampa International Airport
Rare Gandhi Portrait Achieves £152,800, Tripling Its EstimateBanksy’s British Cool Mickey Snake Triumphs at Bonhams, Selling for £330,600Whistler’s First Portrait Commission Sells for Five Times Estimate, Fetching $495,000Bridget Riley Stuns Art World as Myrrh Soars to $2.36M at BonhamsReception in the Harem: Discovered Masterpiece by John Frederick Lewis Shatters Expectations, Selling for Almost $1.5 MillionRare Qianlong 'Dragon' Vase Stuns at Auction, Sells for $3.7 Million—Over Six Times Its EstimateRenowned Vietnamese Artist Nguyen Gia Tri’s War Painting Fetches Over $500,000 at BonhamsLegendary Stradivarius Violin Fetches $11 Million at Sotheby’s, Falling Short of World RecordBoston Red Sox Memorabilia Hits It Out of the Park as Lucchino’s Baseball Collection Brings in $740KA Love Letter to India: Sayed Haider Raza’s La Terre Sells for Record-Breaking $4.2 MillionRare Chinese 'Dragon' Vase Fetches Over €1.1 Million in ParisEarly Van Gogh Sketch Sells for Over $1.48 Million at Bonhams London AuctionSurreal Nudes: Paul Delvaux’s Masterpiece L’Orage Sells for $1.6 MillionOldest Ten Commandments Tablet Shatters Auction Records, Selling for $5 Million at Sotheby’sStunning Discovery: Van Dyck’s Only Surviving Landscape Found and Sold for Over $4 Million

Europe

Art, antiques, exhibitions, and collecting news from across Europe.

ART WAR: Russian Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev vs. Sotheby’s in Epic $232.5 Million Art Fraud Trial

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In a high-stakes legal showdown gripping the art world, Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev accuses renowned auction house Sotheby’s of orchestrating an elaborate art scam that cost him millions. The trial, underway in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, has thrust the secretive dealings of the art industry into the spotlight. Rybolovlev, with a net worth of $11.5 billion, made headlines as he pursued legal action against Sotheby’s, alleging collusion with Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier to inflate prices on four rare artworks, including the iconic “Salvator Mundi” attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

Rediscovered Renaissance: Parmigianino’s Hidden Drawing Unveiled in Bologna

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Amid the gathering of esteemed institutions and dignitaries, a significant revelation took center stage: an unpublished drawing, measuring 18.9 cm by 17.7 cm, depicting a holy family. This masterpiece, hailing from the esteemed collection of Emile Calando, was presented by a prominent Bolognese company. Notably, this drawing had once shared a space with works by titans like Michelangelo and Raphael and was now speculated to be a rare gem from Parmigianino’s early Roman period, reflecting clear Mannerist undertones.

Beatles’ Historic Abbey Road Console to Hit the Auction Block

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In a historic auction set to take place at Bonhams Knightsbridge in London on Thursday, December 14, the iconic EMI TG12345 Mk I console used by The Beatles to record their legendary album, Abbey Road, will be offered for the first time. The console, the first solid-state transistorized desk built by EMI, played a pivotal role in shaping the distinctive sound of Abbey Road, which has since become one of the most groundbreaking albums of all time.

Making Your Life Sparkle – Luxury Jewelry and Custom Design from JM Gems

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In the world of high-end custom jewelry, JM Gems, founded by the female entrepreneur Peggy Elias Nakhle, has firmly established itself as a luxury firm known for its artistic brilliance and precision craftsmanship. For over a decade, JM Gems has been enchanting the world with its bespoke creations, capturing the hearts of jewelry lovers, celebrities, and even royals across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and now North America.

Lucie Rie’s Ceramic Bowl Shatters Records, Sells for €406,800 at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Auction in Paris

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In a riveting event at the Ceramic Masterpieces sale in Paris on Tuesday, December 6, 2023, a Footed bowl by Lucie Rie (1902-1995) stole the spotlight, executed circa 1980 with inlaid pink radiating lines, turquoise, and manganese bands. The intense bidding war that ensued saw the bowl fetching an astonishing €406,800, nearly 10 times its initial estimate of €40,000-60,000, setting a new world auction record for the renowned artist.

Tokyo Park Unveils Cinematic Tribute to Onna No Ko Exhibition and Launches ‘Tokyo Vibes’ Showcase in Lisbon

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In celebration of Tokyo Park’s inaugural showcase of contemporary Japanese art beyond the confines of the UK, Ninjin Art Productions has unveiled a captivating music-driven film chronicling the Onna No Ko exhibition at London’s Old Street Gallery in Shoreditch this past June. Titled ‘Onna No Ko: New Visions of Beauty,’ this visually dynamic short film boasts a runtime of 5 minutes and 10 seconds, featuring an electrifying electro house soundtrack crafted by the film’s director and acclaimed animator, Ignatius Rake.

Exploring the Significance of Christian Icons

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The term “icon” finds its roots in the Greek language, derived from the word Εικόνα, pronounced as “Ikona” in Greek and translated to “Icon” in English. It signifies an image or representation, predominantly portraying figures such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints. Additionally, icons depict events from Christian sources, including the Old and New Testaments, Gospels, the lives of Jesus and saints, and other sacred texts. Icons stand as highly symbolic artworks, laden with profound meaning and character.

Bonhams Announces A Once-In-A-Lifetime Costume Auction of Netflix’s Award-Winning Series ‘The Crown’

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The award-winning series, The Crown, is one of Netflix’s most prestigious and acclaimed shows. Now, as the final series premieres, Bonhams announces a once-in-a-lifetime auction of close to 450 props, furniture, and costumes – including those inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Robes and Princess Diana’s ‘Revenge dress’ – from all six series of The Crown, written and created by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television. A live sale of approximately 150 lots will take place on Wednesday 7 February 2024 at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, followed by an online auction of around 300 lots commencing on 30 January to 8 February on bonhams.com. Proceeds from the live sale will go towards establishing the Left Bank Pictures –The Crown Scholarship programme at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) which has training sites across the UK in Buckinghamshire, London, Leeds, Scotland, and Wales.

Max Verstappen’s Championship-Winning F1 Race Suit to be Sold by Bonhams for Red Bull Charity Auction

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The dark blue Oracle Red Bull Racing overalls worn by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen over the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend will be offered in the Bonhams | Cars Abu Dhabi Auction Online from 17 – 30 November. Driving his Red Bull RB19, Verstappen finished in 1st position at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend in Zandvoort, in front of his home crowd, marking his 46th Grand Prix race victory. Signed by the World Champion with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team, and estimated at £60,000 – £70,000, the overalls will be sold to benefit Red Bull’s Wings for Life charity. Verstappen is only the fifth driver in the sport’s history to win three consecutive championships, as well as joining an elite club of drivers who have won three or more World Championships.