Category: Press Releases

Latest Press Releases from the Clients of the World Art News

San Marino Exhibition: Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage from Private Collections

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Hidden behind closed doors for centuries, these masterpieces have never stood before the public eye—until now. Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage – 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 Europe’s most iconic regions. From the delicate brushstrokes of Vittore Belliniano’s Deposition at the Sepulchre to the sculptural genius of Donatello’s Madonna and Child, and from the haunting realism of Giuseppe Ribera’s Saint Jerome to the modernist purity of Giorgio Morandi’s Still Life, each piece whispers stories of its origin, its journey, and its enduring legacy. This exhibition, set against the historic backdrop of San Marino—the oldest republic in the world—reveals not only extraordinary works of art but also the cultural heartbeat of the states that shaped them.

Jessica Dismorr’s Self-Portrait Sets New Auction World Record at Bonhams

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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 £57,600 (approximately $73,000). The final price far surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £4,000–6,000 (approximately $5,000–$7,600), cementing Dismorr’s position as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

Cricket Legend Sir Donald Bradman’s ‘Baggy Green’ Cap Sells for $310,000 USD at Auction

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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 Bradman’s 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.

Ultra-Rare Pre-Revolution 1652 Massachusetts Silver Threepence Coin Shatters World Records with $2.5 Million Sale

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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 Stack’s 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.

African Artists Show Strong Results at Auction: William Kentridge Smashes Estimate

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A recent auction at Bonhams in London showcased the dynamic and rising value of Modern and Contemporary African Art, concluding with total sales of £2,439,400 (approximately $2,976,068). The event featured prominent works, including William Kentridge’s Monument I, which soared past expectations, selling for £483,000 (about $589,260) against its estimate of £200,000–£300,000. 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.

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.

‘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.

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.