Latest Press Releases from the Clients of the World Art News
A dazzling relic from music history is about to command the global stage. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, a violin crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari’s legendary “Golden Period,” is poised to set hearts racing when it goes under the hammer at Sothebyโs in February 2025. With a jaw-dropping estimate of $12โ18 million, this rare masterpiece promises not only to rewrite auction records but also to transform the future of classical music education.
Hidden behind closed doors for centuries, these masterpieces have never stood before the public eyeโuntil now. Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage โ Works of Art from Private Collections invites visitors on an unprecedented journey through time, unveiling treasures from private collections that chart the evolution of art across Europeโs most iconic regions. From the delicate brushstrokes of Vittore Bellinianoโs Deposition at the Sepulchre to the sculptural genius of Donatelloโs Madonna and Child, and from the haunting realism of Giuseppe Riberaโs Saint Jerome to the modernist purity of Giorgio Morandiโs Still Life, each piece whispers stories of its origin, its journey, and its enduring legacy. This exhibition, set against the historic backdrop of San Marinoโthe oldest republic in the worldโreveals not only extraordinary works of art but also the cultural heartbeat of the states that shaped them.
Jessica Dismorr, a pioneering figure in British modern art, has achieved a new auction world record at Bonhams’ recent Blazing a Trail: Modern British Women auction. The sale, which ran online from September 9 to 18, showcased the largest known private collection of works by Dismorr, with the centerpiece, Woman Seated (Self-Portrait), selling for ยฃ57,600 (approximately $73,000). The final price far surpassed its pre-sale estimate of ยฃ4,000โ6,000 (approximately $5,000โ$7,600), cementing Dismorr’s position as a significant figure in 20th-century art.
A baggy green cricket cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against India, a season marking significant milestones in cricket history, has sold for AU$479,700 ($310,719 USD) at a Bonhams Sydney auction. This iconic piece of memorabilia, tied to Bradmanโs record-breaking career and a pivotal moment in Australia’s cricketing heritage, was purchased by a private collector who plans to keep it within the country. The sale highlights the enduring global fascination with Bradman, whose unmatched batting average of 99.94 cements his legacy as the greatest cricketer of all time.
In an unprecedented moment for numismatic history, a rare 1652 Massachusetts silver threepence, about the size of a modern nickel, sold for an astonishing $2.52 million in an auction conducted by Stackโs Bowers Galleries. This sale marked a new world record for any coin struck in the American colonies before the American Revolution, surpassing the previous high of $646,250 by nearly $2 million. Additionally, this threepence set a new benchmark for any non-gold coin produced prior to the founding of the U.S. Mint.
A recent auction at Bonhams in London showcased the dynamic and rising value of Modern and Contemporary African Art, concluding with total sales of ยฃ2,439,400 (approximately $2,976,068). The event featured prominent works, including William Kentridge’s Monument I, which soared past expectations, selling for ยฃ483,000 (about $589,260) against its estimate of ยฃ200,000โยฃ300,000. Kentridge’s evocative charcoal piece, rooted in his Drawings for Projection series, epitomizes his narrative-driven approach that intertwines historical introspection with striking visual artistry. Irma Stern’s Zululand and significant pieces by Ben Enwonwu and Marlene Dumas further emphasized the auction’s success, underscoring the burgeoning global recognition and deepening collector interest in African art’s profound heritage and contemporary vibrancy.
In a landmark moment for art history, a 14th-century Sarghitmish mosque lamp from Egypt has shattered records, fetching an extraordinary ยฃ5,130,400 ($6.56 million) at Bonhamsโ 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 ยฃ600,000-1,000,000 ($785,000-1,300,000), the lamp’s final price far exceeded expectations.
Norman Rockwellโs ‘A Scout is Loyal’, a stirring portrayal of American patriotism, is poised to be the highlight of Bonhamsโ American Art sale on November 20. Painted in 1940 during the artistโs most significant period amidst World War II, this masterpiece embodies Rockwellโs talent for capturing the national spirit. Featuring a Boy Scout surrounded by powerful American symbolsโincluding the flag, a bald eagle, and historic figures such as Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington holding the Bill of Rightsโthe painting is valued at $3 million to $5 million. It serves as a poignant reminder of unity and resilience during times of challenge.
A piece of rock and roll history is hitting the auction block as Elvis Presleyโs 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 Presleyโs 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 Elvisโs final years. Bidding opens on November 4, inviting fans and collectors alike to pursue this exceptional piece of cultural history.
One of the world’s most exclusive Japanese whisky collections, the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full โCardโ 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.
