HOLLYWOOD BY MATEO BLANCO – Celebrating 100 Years of the Original Marker for La La Land Exclusive Interview with Dave Vescio – Part 1: Art, Fame, Life!HUNTER BIDEN’S ART – FAME TRUMPS TALENTTakeaways from a Record-Breaking Early Auction Season
Masamune-Lineage Wakizashi Sells for £83,700 as Bonhams’ Peter Yorke Collection Sells OutYi Ming’s Dawning Sells for £384,500 at Bonhams LondonRare Tang Ying Brushpot Sells for £538,100 at BonhamsMaurice Leloir’s Four Historical Scenes Sell for €128,600 at BonhamsJacob Jordaens’s Portrait of His Wife Sells for €154,200 at BonhamsRenaissance Portrait Attributed to Conrad Faber Sells for €295,000 at BonhamsJodi the Nanotyrannus Sells for US$47.3 Million at Sotheby’sQianlong Emperor’s Jewel-Encrusted Gold Ewer Sells for US$7.11 Million at Christie’sHockney’s €282,200 Print Leads Warhol and Banksy in €1.06 Million Bonhams SaleMV Agusta Sells for $1.3 Million, Setting an Italian Motorcycle Auction RecordEnigma Machine Sells for £203,600 at Bonhams: Inside the 1941 Cipher DeviceUzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900Yusuf Grillo’s One Man Band Sets Artist Auction Record at £461,300Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu Sells for £602,100, Setting a Sculpture Record at BonhamsRare Gandhi Portrait Achieves £152,800, Tripling Its Estimate

London

Art and collecting news from London, including exhibitions, auction previews and results, gallery programmes, and notable objects. Follow the artists, collections, and cultural events connected with the city.

Massive Triceratops Skull, Valued at $100,000, to be Auctioned in Support of Teenage Cancer Trust

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The Connor Brothers beside a mounted Triceratops skull in an art gallery.

Prepare for an extraordinary journey as cult artists The Connor Brothers partner with Bonhams for a spectacle unlike any other. Set to unfold on June 12th at Bonhams New Bond Street, London, the “Anything But Ordinary” auction promises a captivating showcase of remarkable treasures, with special attention given to the magnificent Triceratops Skull.

The Grand Opening of ‘ECHOES’ by Michael Gregorjev Murn at Miart Gallery London | VIDEO

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Two attendees displaying an open signed monograph beside an abstract painting at the ECHOES opening.

Michael Gregorjev Murn’s path to this moment was one of constant evolution and exploration. Known for his abstract paintings and digital graphics, Murn’s work often delves into complex and multifaceted themes. His ability to convey metaphysical complexities through his art has garnered international acclaim, making ‘ECHOES’ an important milestone in his career.

Rolex Timepieces Show Strong Results at Bonhams Luxury Watch Auction

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Rolex Cosmograph Daytona wristwatch, reference 116520, circa 2002.

The auction was a resounding success, generating a total of £713,344. An impressive 91% of the lots were sold, with 97% sold by value, reflecting the strong demand and competitive bidding. The star of the auction was a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, stainless-steel automatic chronograph bracelet watch, reference 116500LN, circa 2019. Known as the LN reference ‘lunette noir’ due to its black Cerachrom bezel and white dial, this sought-after piece surpassed its pre-sale estimate, fetching £20,480.

The Only Known Cased Superimposed Load Pistol to be Sold at Bonhams’ Arms & Armour Auction

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Detail of an engraved antique superimposed load pistol resting in a red-lined fitted wooden case.

A remarkable find in the world of antique firearms, a cased 15-bore percussion four-shot superimposed load officer’s pistol, believed to be the only one of its kind, will take center stage at Bonhams’ upcoming auction of Antique Arms & Armour in London. The auction, which will also include items from the esteemed Per T. Norheim Collection and Modern Sporting Guns, is scheduled to run online from May 13 to May 22 on Bonhams.com

Legendary Admiral Lord Nelson’s Memorabilia Up for Auction

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Gold and black enamel mourning ring for Lord Nelson, with two coronets and the word Trafalgar.

Admiral Lord Nelson’s indelible mark on British history extends far beyond his iconic victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. His naval prowess, coupled with his captivating personal life, continues to captivate the public imagination. This April, Bonhams Knightsbridge is set to showcase a remarkable collection of memorabilia celebrating Nelson’s legacy in two distinct sales: Nelson Forever! A Naval Legacy in Ceramics and Glass on April 23, followed by the Marine Sale on April 24.

30 Years of Artistic Exploration: Michael Gregorjev Murn’s Exhibition at the Iconic Miart Gallery London

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Michael Gregorjev Murn in a dark suit, standing with folded arms among colorful paintings.

Michael Gregorjev Murn is hosting the MGM Solo Exhibition in the heart of St James’s, London. The landmark event is set to take place between May 11th and June 6th, 2024, at the iconic Miart Gallery London. Directed by Irem Deniz, Miart Gallery is renowned for its commitment to showcasing groundbreaking contemporary art, making it the perfect backdrop. Marking a significant moment in Michael Gregorjev Murn’s career, the solo exhibition is the premiere exhibition in a series of upcoming global events. More than just another art show, it represents a journey of Michael’s mark in the art world.

Harry Potter Uncorrected Proof Copy by J.K. Rowling Sells for $45,000

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Signed and inscribed uncorrected proof of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bonhams lot 122

On March 20, 2024, at Bonhams Knightsbridge, a significant literary artifact changed hands as an uncorrected proof copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling, dating back to 1997, was auctioned off. The item, which bore Rowling’s inscription and signature, sold for £35,840 ($45,000), falling within the pre-sale estimate range of £30,000-50,000 ($37,000-63,000).

Rare First Edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” Sells for Double Estimate at Bonhams Auction

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Green binding of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, with decorative panels and gold-coloured spine lettering.

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.

Important Vasily Polenov Masterpiece Sells for $1.7 Million at Bonhams, Setting a World Record

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Detail of Vasily Polenov’s biblical painting, with a black-robed woman in a doorway and figures seated inside a vaulted room.

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.

Ultra-Rare $2 Million Turkish Medallion of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, Who Conquered Constantinople, To Be Auctioned in London

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Bronze portrait medallion of Sultan Mehmed II, with a left-facing bust and an inscription around the rim.

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.