Category: Market

Latest Art Market News from Around the World

Football Legend Lionel Messi’s Historic Napkin Up for Auction at Bonhams, Starting at £300,000

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One of the most pivotal documents in the history of football (soccer) is the famous and unique napkin on which the first promise of a contract was written to secure 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona. It changed the fortunes of both the club and Messi himself, who went on to become one of the greatest players of all time. The original napkin in blue ink is being offered at Bonhams on behalf of Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli in an online auction running from March 18 to March 27. The starting price is £300,000 ($380,000 US).

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.

Navigating Trends, Value, and Display in Home Collectibles

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Collectibles have a special place in home decor, adding personal touches and aesthetics. It’s important for collectors and decorators to know the latest trends in collectibles. This helps in deciding what to buy and how to arrange them. The value of collectibles can change a lot, depending on how rare they are, their condition, and how much people want them. Besides buying and valuing them, how you display these items is also key. You need to find creative ways to show off their special features and make sure they fit well with your home’s design. Understanding all these aspects improves the joy of owning and appreciating these valuable items.

$5M Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, Clocking Over 300MPH, Storms onto the Auction Block

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In a thunderous revelation set to captivate automotive enthusiasts, Bonhams|Cars is gearing up to showcase the world’s fastest road-going car, the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, at the highly anticipated Scottsdale Auction. Following Bugatti’s awe-inspiring achievement of shattering the 300mph (483 km/h) barrier, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ emerged in a scarce production of merely 30 cars, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking hypercar.

Coca-Cola Art and Collectibles in Brief

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From the staggering sale of a Coca-Cola bottle for over $100k to original artworks by renowned artists such as Haddon Sundblom and Norman Rockwell commanding significant prices, the realm of Coca-Cola art has witnessed remarkable transactions that underscore its cultural and monetary value. As we delve into the realm of Coca-Cola art and collectibles, we embark on a journey through time, exploring the profound impact of this iconic brand on art, culture, and the hearts of millions.

Christie’s Sells 3.5 Carat Blue Diamond Ring for $5.5 Million

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On December 6th, Christie’s Rockefeller Center in Manhattan witnessed an extravagant showcase of luxury as the Magnificent Jewels auction unfolded. This event saw fervent bidding both in-person and over the phones, culminating in a remarkable total of $38,135,080. Impressively, 90% of the 152 lots available found buyers. The auction presented an exquisite collection of rare diamonds, significant colored stones, and distinguished jewels from renowned collections.

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.

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.

Record-Breaking Sale: Ancient Tibetan Sculpture of Virupaksha Achieves $4.85 Million at Bonhams Hong Kong Auction

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In a recent auction event at Bonhams Hong Kong featuring Images of Devotion, an extraordinary Early 15th Century Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Virupaksha from the renowned Densatil Monastery in Central Tibet commanded a staggering price of HK$37,964,000 (approximately USD $4,855,000). This masterpiece, considered the pinnacle of the order’s sculptural tradition, surpassed its estimated value of HK$35-55 million (USD $4.5-7 million), contributing significantly to the overall auction total of HK$75 million (approximately USD $9,632,000).

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.