In a notable display of support for female artists, the Musée d’Arts de Nantes (France) exercised its right under French law to pre-empt the final bids on three paintings at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris. The museum’s proactive stance in securing these artworks highlights its commitment to promoting gender diversity in the arts and enriching its collection with significant contributions from women artists.
A very rare first edition and author’s presentation copy of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species,” fetched an astonishing £305,200 ($384,000) at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale held on March 20, 2024. This price surpassed its initial estimate by over double, marking a significant moment in literary auction history. The auction saw a total sale of £1,308,337 ($1,648,000), with an impressive 93% of the lots sold by volume and an astounding 99% sold by value.
In a remarkable event at Bonhams 19th century and British Impressionist Art Sale today, an exquisite oil on canvas by Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844-1927) stole the spotlight, fetching an astonishing £1,379,000 ($1,760,000). The painting, titled ‘And she went and told them that she had been with Him as they mourned and wept’, is a part of Polenov’s renowned series, ‘The Life of Christ’. Initially estimated to sell for £400,000-600,000, the final price far exceeded expectations, marking a significant moment in the art world.
An extraordinary rediscovery in the world of Islamic art has emerged as a bronze portrait medallion of Sultan Mehmed II, predating his historic conquest of Constantinople, prepares to take the spotlight at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale on Tuesday, May 21. The event will be held at Bonhams New Bond Street location in London, where art enthusiasts and historians alike will have the opportunity to witness this remarkable artifact.
The glamorous city of Monte Carlo is gearing up for an automotive spectacle like no other as Bonhams|Cars prepares to unveil a piece of motoring history at the upcoming Monaco Sale ‘Les Grandes Marques à Monaco’ in Villa la Vigie. At the heart of the excitement stands an unparalleled 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé, a masterpiece poised to capture the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike. Crafted with bespoke coachwork by Drogo at Carrozzeria Sports Cars, this exceptional vehicle boasts a lineage intertwined with the most revered names in Italian automotive design. With an estimated value ranging from €2,500,000 to €3,000,000 ($2,730,000 to $3,280,000), it is set to be the centerpiece of the eagerly anticipated Bonhams|Cars Monaco Sale, coinciding with the Historic Monaco Grand Prix.
A rare oil painting by the Russian artist Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844-1927), part of a series titled ‘The Life of Christ,’ will take center stage at Bonhams’ upcoming 19th-century and British Impressionist Art Sale on March 20 at New Bond Street in London. Entitled ‘And she went and told them that she had been with Him as they mourned and wept,’ the artwork is expected to fetch between £400,000 and £600,000. Another painting from the same series, ‘There were also women looking from afar off,’ achieved a price of over £1.5 million at Bonhams last year.
Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ Auction marked a historic moment as over 450 meticulously crafted pieces from the acclaimed TV series found new homes, fetching a remarkable £1,674,000 at Bonhams, London. The auction, which boasted an impressive 100% sell-through rate, exceeded all expectations, showcasing the enduring allure of this beloved show.
In a crazy blend of art, rock ‘n’ roll, and motorcycling history, Bonhams|Cars is gearing up to unveil a show-stopping duo at The Amelia Island Auction on February 29th: a bespoke ‘Elvis Presley’ Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and a matching Gibson Les Paul Guitar. And it’s all for a good cause! Estimating a value between $12,000 to $16,000, the star-studded lot is not just a collector’s dream but also a philanthropic endeavor. The proceeds will be channeled to The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, an organization perpetuating the generous spirit of the King of Rock and Roll in the Memphis community.
It is considered to be one of Vladimir Tretchikoff’s great masterpieces and is one of the best-known and most reproduced of his works. Yet for years his Lost Orchid was itself considered lost. Having not been seen in public since it was acquired from the artist in 1955, the painting has finally re-emerged and will now be offered at Bonhams’ Modern and Contemporary African Art sale on 27 March at New Bond Street, London. It has an estimate of £150,000 – 200,000.
The 1904 Napier Samson L48 is set to make a triumphant comeback to Florida, where it made history by breaking the 100 miles per hour record on American soil over a century ago. This legendary vehicle, famous for its illustrious racing background, will be unveiled at Ormond-Daytona Beach on February 10, ahead of the Bonhams|Cars Amelia Island Auction on February 29, where it’s anticipated to fetch a price ranging from $900,000 to $1,100,000.
