Category: Money

Latest World Art News about Money, Capital, and Wealth in the Art, Antiques, and Collectibles markets

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.

Pollock, Basquiat, Warhol, Twombly Headline Monumental Phillips Auction

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Phillips is set to command the art world’s attention with its upcoming November Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art in New York. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for November 19 at their prestigious 432 Park Avenue location, will present 33 carefully curated works that bridge the gap between celebrated modern masters and contemporary visionaries. The sale is headlined by Jackson Pollock’s Untitled, circa 1948, a landmark piece from his groundbreaking drip painting period, and features rare double self-portraits by both Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, offered together for the first time at auction. Additional highlights include Cy Twombly’s mythologically charged Crimes of Passion I and a striking array of works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, making this event a must-see for collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.

‘A Scout is Loyal’ and Worth $5 Million! Norman Rockwell’s Patriotic Masterpiece Set for Auction

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Norman Rockwell’s ‘A Scout is Loyal’, a stirring portrayal of American patriotism, is poised to be the highlight of Bonhams’ American Art sale on November 20. Painted in 1940 during the artist’s most significant period amidst World War II, this masterpiece embodies Rockwell’s talent for capturing the national spirit. Featuring a Boy Scout surrounded by powerful American symbols—including the flag, a bald eagle, and historic figures such as Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington holding the Bill of Rights—the painting is valued at $3 million to $5 million. It serves as a poignant reminder of unity and resilience during times of challenge.

Behind the Lens: Exclusive Interview with New York Photographer Evelyn Freja | Part 2

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“I recently had a photoshoot of two famous actors in their hotel room, promoting a movie that recently came out. I was supposed to have 30 minutes with them, but they were incredibly rude to my photo assistant and me and ended up leaving after just 3 minutes. I had only managed to get a handful of photos and ended up crying in the hotel bathroom while my assistant helped pack up.” In Part 2 of our exclusive interview with New York photographer Evelyn Freja, we delve deeper into her journey, exploring the experiences and philosophies that shape her artistic vision. Evelyn opens up about the challenges of working in a highly competitive industry, her approach to capturing genuine moments, and the surprising lessons she’s learned along the way.

The King’s Cadillac: Elvis Presley’s Last Car, 1977 Seville, to Be Sold in Sealed Auction

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A piece of rock and roll history is hitting the auction block as Elvis Presley’s 1977 Cadillac Seville, one of the last cars the King of Rock and Roll ever purchased, goes up for a rare sealed-bid auction with Bonhams|Cars. This customized Cadillac, featuring a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine and fitted with a CB radio for private communication within Graceland, reflects Presley’s larger-than-life persona and unique style. Authenticated by Graceland and still bearing his name on the title, the car offers collectors a chance to own a personal artifact from Elvis’s final years. Bidding opens on November 4, inviting fans and collectors alike to pursue this exceptional piece of cultural history.

Rare $1 Million Japanese Whisky Collection to Hit the Auction Block in Paris

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One of the world’s most exclusive Japanese whisky collections, the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” Series, is set to be auctioned in Paris this November. Expected to fetch between $750,000 and $1.28 million, the collection features 54 bottles, each representing a playing card and signed by master distiller Ichiro Akuto. Known for setting record-breaking prices, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr will host this online auction from November 12 to 29, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a complete set of this historic Japanese whisky.

Rory Gallagher’s Legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster Sells for Over $1.15 Million, Returns to Ireland

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The collection of famed Irish musician Rory Gallagher reached an extraordinary milestone at Bonhams New Bond Street auction house this October, where every item offered was sold. Leading the sale was Gallagher’s legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster, which fetched a remarkable £889,400 ($1,156,793). The guitar, which Gallagher famously purchased for £100 on credit from Crowley’s Music Store in Cork in 1963, has become an icon in rock history for its worn look and unmistakable sound.

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.”

Lewis Hamilton’s IWC Schaffhausen Watch Sells for Seven Times Its Pre-Sale Estimate

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In a remarkable moment for charity, the IWC Schaffhausen watch worn by British Formula One™ legend Lewis Hamilton on the podium of his record-breaking ninth victory at the 2024 Silverstone Grand Prix was sold at auction for $244,000. Bonhams hosted the online auction in collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen, and the watch was the star of the event, fetching seven times its original estimate. The auction concluded in tandem with The Laureus Charity Night in Zurich on October 19, 2024.

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.