By Tyler R. Morrissey
Sotheby’s auction house is well-known around the world for its many unique auctions. Here are a few highlights of what’s recently sold, as well as a preview of what’s about to hit the auction block.
The week of October 16th was devoted to modern art at Sotheby’s in Paris and ended with a grand total of just over $28 million. Three sales were staged at the Galerie Charpentier, featuring major works by some of the leading artists of the 20th century, several with outstanding provenances. Once again, the international market confirmed buyers’ intense interest in Marc Chagall, represented by four lots in this catalog.
This past spring in Hong Kong, Sotheby’s set a new world auction record for any diamond or jewel when the Pink Star, a 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless diamond, sold for $71.2 million. The Pink Star was acquired by renowned jeweler Chow Tai Fook and the winning telephone bid placed by Dr. Henry Cheng Kar-Shun. The Pink Star diamond is the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink diamond that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded. It has received the highest color and clarity grades from the GIA for pink diamonds and has been found to be part of the rare subgroup comprising less than 2 percent of all gem diamonds.
Last month in London, the charity auction “Art for Grenfell” helped raise money for the families affected by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, which was a fatal fire in June in the west London tower block that claimed the lives of nearly 80 residents. According to Artnet, the sale raised over $2.5 million, including the sale of Tracey Emin’s neon work “Loving You More,” which alone raised $177,090. Sotheby’s also waived most of its fees and buyers’ premium, so the majority of the money raised will go to former residents, who are living in temporary housing.
What’s next?
On November 15th, some of the finest and rarest wines from the cellar of Antal Post De Bekessy’s estate will go up for sale in London. The sale is led by a fantastic collection of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from 1998 to 2012, as well as Rousseau and Méo-Camuzet, all offered in their original cases, and all in pristine condition. This sale offers Burgundy collectors unrivalled possibilities, with an array of Petrus serving as the highlight of a large selection of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines. For more information on this auction, click here.
Back across the pond in New York on November 16th, Bloomberg Pursuits reports that racing driver Michael Schumacher’s red Ferrari will go up for auction. Schumacher’s Ferrari will mark the first time a collector car will be offered at a Sotheby’s art auction. Estimated at $4 million to $5.5 million, the Ferrari F2001, Chassis No. 211, was driven by the racing legend to win the Grand Prix de Monaco. For more information on this auction, click here.
Just in time for the holiday season, a BMW Z8 once owned by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will go up for sale on December 6th in New York. According to CNBC, the vehicle is expected to sell between $300,000 and $400,000. The car comes with sales invoices and California car registration proving Jobs was the first owner. While he was not known to be a car enthusiast, Jobs did admire German automobiles for their design and engineering, as he also owned BMW motorcycles and a Mercedes-Benz SLS. For more information on this auction, click here.
