Tag: Auction Results

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 Stackโ€™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 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 ยฃ200,000โ€“ยฃ300,000. 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 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.

Rory Gallagherโ€™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 Gallagherโ€™s legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster, which fetched a remarkable ยฃ889,400 ($1,156,793). The guitar, which Gallagher famously purchased for ยฃ100 on credit from Crowleyโ€™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 Flemingโ€™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: โ€œThe mould that first made penicillin / Alexander Fleming.โ€

Lewis Hamiltonโ€™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 Oneโ„ข 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.

Hans Hartung Masterpiece Sells for $1.4 Million at Piguet Auction House

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Piguet Hรดtel des Ventes in Geneva, Switzerland, set new benchmarks in the art world this week, as a major work by the renowned abstract painter Hans Hartung fetched CHF 1.2 million ($1.4 million USD) at auction, placing it among the top 10 highest-selling pieces by the artist globally. This milestone, achieved in a somewhat challenging international art market, underscores Genevaโ€™s growing importance as a key destination for high-profile art auctions.

Turkish Female Artist Fahr El-Nissa Zeidโ€™s Painting Sells for โ‚ฌ152,800, Three Times the Estimate

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Zeid, one of the first women to attend the Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul, later continued her studies in Paris under Roger Bissiรจre at the Acadรฉmie Ranson. Over her long career, she held numerous solo exhibitions in major cities such as London, Paris, New York, and throughout the Middle East. After the death of her husband, Prince Zeid bin Hussein of Iraqโ€™s Hashemite royal family, she settled in Amman, where she continued to create groundbreaking work.

The World’s Most Expensive Dinosaur: $44.6 Million Stegosaurus ‘Apex’ Fossil | VIDEO

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The stegosaurus known as โ€œApexโ€ has set a new record, selling for $44.6 million at Sothebyโ€™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!”

Magnificent Japanese Inlaid Jar from the Meiji Era Sells for $146,000

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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 ยฃ114,700 ($146,000) at Bonhams New Bond Street. The item significantly exceeded its estimated value of ยฃ50,000-80,000 ($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 ยฃ1,065,816 ($1,363,000), with a remarkable 98% sold by value.