Latest World Art News about Gold and Silver
In a dazzling spectacle of high-stakes bidding, the illustrious collection of the late Dutch connoisseur-collector Cornelis Paulus van Pauwvliet took center stage at Bonhams New Bond Street on Tuesday, November 21. The auction, a crescendo of anticipation, saw a remarkable total of £2.86 million change hands as passionate art enthusiasts vied for a piece of cultural history.
In the realm of art, where creativity intertwines with history, the expertise of art conservators and restorers holds unparalleled significance. Art Conservation and Restoration emerge not just as processes of preservation but as transformative journeys that breathe new life into artworks. This article explores the profound impact of art Conservation and Restoration on the value of artworks, unraveling the meticulous efforts that enhance their cultural, aesthetic, and market worth.
Pearls, once considered outdated and too traditional, have made a remarkable resurgence in the world of jewelry in recent years. Symbolizing wealth, prestige, and femininity, pearl jewels have transcended ages, fashions, and styles with unparalleled elegance. Constantly elevated by daring jewelers, pearls hold a special place in the history of jewelry. “The Pearl Odyssey” retraces the captivating story of pearls and their enduring tradition. Through a carefully curated selection of thirty outstanding pieces from esteemed private and heritage collections, alongside previously unseen projects and archival materials, visitors can explore the creativity and expertise developed around the world’s oldest jewel and delve into the science of pearls.
The 7th edition of the exhibition catering to professionals and enthusiasts of precious stones and jewelry is scheduled to commence from Thursday, November 2nd, to Sunday, November 5th, within the premises of Palexpo Hall 6, the same venue as the November 2022 edition. Occupying an expansive 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, this event strategically coincides with the significant autumn auctions and other activities during the Geneva Luxury Week. The event’s organizers are diligently crafting a novel layout, set to be unveiled in due course.
The Asian art auction held in Geneva this week garnered significant attention from China’s top collectors, resulting in an impressive $3 million in sales. This remarkable achievement not only establishes a new record for the auction house in this field but also solidifies Piguet’s position as a prominent player in Chinese art auctions. Chinese collectors made dedicated visits to Geneva, while others participated through telephone and online bidding, engaging in spirited competition with European and Swiss collectors, all vying to possess one of the extraordinary Chinese jades from the renowned Mavromichalis collection.
In a church on the Princes’ Islands of Istanbul, a masterpiece and Byzantine treasure awaited discovery. This unique bilateral post-Byzantine icon of Panagia Eleousa held a peculiar feature: on its reverse side, there was another painted icon from the 14th century, which had remained “hidden” for over a hundred years inside a heavy metal box, kept in the Church of Panagia Eleousa on Büyükada/Pringipos. This magnificent, rare, and unique artifact, often regarded as the Byzantine Mona Lisa, has endured through the centuries, conveying numerous historical, social, and artistic messages. With the expertise of a conservator, who tends to it as an art doctor, it has been safeguarded for future generations. Currently, this masterpiece is housed at the Church of Panagia Eleousa in Büyükada/Pringipos, Istanbul.
This May, the Designer Vivarium is set to return to GemGenève, featuring five international contemporary designers, with four of them being new to the Vivarium, presenting their work at GemGenève for the first time. As usual, the Designer Vivarium is curated by renowned jewellery historian, Vivienne Becker, who meticulously scouts the globe for fresh and creative talent, seeking out independent, under-the-radar designer jewellers, artists, and goldsmiths who have something unique to offer in their jewellery. Becker’s discerning eye seeks out a strong, singular creative vision, intense individuality, and sophistication of craftsmanship.
In partnership with GemGenève, the Museum of Art and History (MAH) is organizing an off-site exhibition featuring exceptional automata, musical, and other objets d’art from its collection. With a policy of promoting art and culture that dates back to the 18th century, MAH is now one of the leading museums in the world. This May, 25 small to medium-sized works of art created at the turn of the 19th century will be exhibited by MAH in an exclusive temporary display that will be open to GemGenève visitors. The show will also feature works on loan from the International Museum of Horology at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Swiss sculptor and automaton maker François Junod, as well as GemGenève exhibitors.
Art dealing can be a glamorous and lucrative business, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. In recent years, there have been numerous cases of art dealers falling victim to theft, fraud, and even violence. According to reports by the FBI, Interpol, and the Art Loss Register, there were over 24,700 reported cases of art theft between 2008 and 2022, with the value of stolen art during this period surpassing more than $11 billion. These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the risks that art dealers face in their line of work.
Hosted by Nadège Totah, the 6th Edition of GemGenève is proud to welcome new talented jewellery designers who will have the opportunity to exhibit their shining creations in a dedicated space. Their jewellery art offer a fascinating glimpse into a very different universe of ideas and inspirations, a world of innovation and ingenuity that highlights each creator’s individuality. With very different styles and techniques, each designer draws inspiration from the mysteries of nature in order, as they explain, to create collections imbued with the powerful symbolism that has always been an essential element of jewels. All of these designs share a common focus: the meaning, message and role of the jewel, far beyond the purely ornamental, giving them a value that exceeds their intrinsic worth. Above all, the gemstone is and has always been a talisman to protect and invoke goodwill; a talisman to keep close to us at all times, reminding us to live in a harmony of body, heart and soul.
