Latest Prices for Art, Antiques, and Collectibles from The World Art News
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 SLR Stirling Moss, named after the legendary British racing driver, debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Designed by Yoon Il-hun, the car features a unique speedster style with no roof or windscreen, reminiscent of the 300 SLR race car. The interior, crafted by Dutch designer Sarkis Benliyan, complements the car’s distinctive exterior.
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!”
Willem de Kooning, a luminary of Abstract Expressionism, not only revolutionized the art world with his bold, gestural paintings but also saw his works sell for astronomical sums, cementing his legacy as one of the most financially successful artists of the 20th century. His life, a whirlwind of artistic triumphs, personal dramas, and glamorous highs, reads like a compelling narrative of passion, struggle, and ultimate acclaim.
On July 25, Bonhams Los Angeles will host a unique event: the Modern Design | Art sale, featuring a meticulously curated collection from the acclaimed actor, artist, and writer Jim Carrey. This 35-lot collection, amassed over nearly 30 years, reflects Carrey’s vibrant and eclectic artistic taste, showcasing a blend of modern design and fine art that speaks to his creative spirit.
A notable inlaid iron jar and cover, decorated with intricate designs of birds and flowers representing the four seasons and commissioned by the renowned Meiji-era crafts entrepreneur Kawaguchi Yohei of Tokyo, sold for £114,700 ($146,000) at Bonhams New Bond Street. The item significantly exceeded its estimated value of £50,000-80,000 ($63,000-102,000) during the Fine Japanese Art Sale, which featured Meiji Masterpieces from a Distinguished Deceased Estate this May. The auction comprised 166 lots, achieving a total of £1,065,816 ($1,363,000), with a remarkable 98% sold by value.
A pair of rare Georges Jouve caryatides, circa 1946, originating from L’Institut Harriet Hubbard Ayer et Alexandre de Paris on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, sold for £127,400 ($162,000) at Bonhams Design and Contemporary Ceramics Sale held online this April. The final price far exceeded the pre-sale estimate of £50,000-70,000 ($63,000-89,000). Jouve’s contributions to the field of ceramics were significant, and he played a key role in the post-war resurgence of interest in ceramic art. His works are celebrated for their elegance, craftsmanship, and the innovative use of materials and techniques. Today, Georges Jouve is considered one of the leading figures in 20th-century ceramics, and his pieces are highly sought after by collectors and museums worldwide.
Eroticon, the top-selling lot at the recent Bonhams Greek Sale, exemplifies Moralis’ mastery of form and composition. The artwork’s sale at €559,200 underscores the enduring appeal and value of his work in the art market. As a testament to his legacy, Moralis’ contributions to modern Greek art continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
Imagine for a moment, that you are a miner in Siberia at the end of the nineteenth century, slogging with your colleagues through the moss-laden, muck-infused waters of the mire in search of gold, only to stumble upon something far more rare. This is precisely what occurred in 1890, within the Sverdlovsk region of Russia’s Ural Mountains, when a team of laborers who were busy excavating a peat bog inadvertently discovered a strange and ornate wooden figure featuring an eerie human face. Resting at an approximate depth of four meters beneath the surface of the acidic, oxygen-low, and therefore anti-bacterial conditions of the bog that had preserved it, the mysterious object that would come to be known as the “Shigir Idol” (named after the Shigir bog it was found within) was discovered in a series of 10 fragments.
A pivotal document in football history, the napkin on which the first promise of a contract was written to secure 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona, sold for £762,000 ($964,000) at Bonhams in an online auction that was held this May 17, 2024. The auction began with a starting price of £300,000 ($380,000). This napkin significantly impacted both the club and Messi, who went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time. The original napkin, written in blue ink, was offered by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli.
