Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Michael Jackson's Possessions Still in Demand]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/michael-jacksons-possessions-still-in-demand/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/michael-jacksons-possessions-still-in-demand/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/22/michael-jacksons-possessions-still-in-demand/#commentsFiled under: ,

The publicity may have slowed down, but Michael Jackson fans are still coming out in force. Several lots soundly beat presale estimates at an auction conducted by Julien's Auctions. The staples of Michael Jackson's image -- such as the famous white glove and the jacket from the "Bad" tour -- went under the gavel. A presale estimate for the entire auction of $80,000 to $100,000 quickly became irrelevant, as bidders sent prices into the stratosphere.

The white glove opened at $10,000 but went immediately to $120,000 before settling at the final price of $350,000 (not including fees and commissions). After all fees and taxes, Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma spent around $420,000 for the piece of Americana that Darren Julien, the auction house's CEO, describes as "the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson." It was expected to sell for $50,000.

The black jacket, with all the straps and zippers, that Jackson wore during his 1989 "Bad" tour, also made presale estimates pointless. It closed at $225,000 (before any fees or taxes), more than 20 times the expectation.

At the auction, held at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square, most of the 80 lots pertained to Michael Jackson, generally provided by friends and family who had received them as gifts. Other lots included a car driven by Jackson, a guitar once owned by David Bowie and memorabilia from the Beatles.

LuxistMichael Jackson's Possessions Still in Demand originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Hard Rock CafeHardRockCafeJuliens AuctionJuliensAuctionJuliensAuctionsmanhattanmichael jacksonmichael jackson auctionmichael jackson deathMichaelJacksonMichaelJacksonAuctionMichaelJacksonDeathnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitytimes squareTimesSquareSun, 22 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Olive Oil, Lemon And A Whole Lot Of Cash]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/20/olive-oil-lemon-and-a-whole-lot-of-cash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Much of the time it's easy to predict the top lot in an auction, one of the highest estimated pieces usually claims the honor. But that's not always the case. How's this for an exuberant art market moment, Emil Filla's "Still life with a Lemon, Bottle of Olive Oil, Bell Peppers and a Bowl of Vegetables", 1925, sold for $266,000 against a pre-auction estimate of just $15,000-20,000 on November 17 at an auction at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles. The auction set a new world record for the artist at auction. The auction was simulcast to the firm's San Francisco auction rooms.

This auction also included the unused Beatles album art created in 1968 by Jim Dine we discussed earlier this week. The collection of five graphite and watercolor works on vellum sold for $51,850 against an estimate of $25,000-35,000.

LuxistOlive Oil, Lemon And A Whole Lot Of Cash originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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49 watches from the private collection of Prof. F. A. Porsche of the famed sports car marque and his sons will be auctioned by Bonhams on Dec. 2 in London during its Fine Watches and Timepieces sale. Included are timepieces by Eterna, Porsche Design, Rolex, Panerai, Jaeger LeCoultre, Breitling, Chronoswiss, Omega and more. Of particular note are prototypes and unique examples of Eterna and Porsche Design watches custom made for the Porsche family. The latter includes a fine 18 carat gold chronograph (above) made especially by Eterna (now owned by Porsche) and presented to Dr. Ferdinand Oliver Porsche for his 40th birthday, estimated at £4,000 - £6,000. Also included in the collection is a very rare Rolex Explorer with ivory dial (£,5000 -£7,000), a selection of Panerai watches including a Luminor Flyback (£3,000 - £5,000), and an original Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris from 1960 (£5,000 - £7,000).

[via JamesList]

LuxistPorsche Family's Personal Watch Collection to be Auctioned originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BonhamsBreitlingJaeger LeCoultreJaegerLecoultreLondonOmegaPaneraiPorschePorsche DesignPorscheDesignRolexRolex ExplorerRolexExplorerThu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Sells for $5 Million, Sets New World Record]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/patek-philippe-pocket-watch-sells-for-5-million-sets-new-world/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/patek-philippe-pocket-watch-sells-for-5-million-sets-new-world/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/patek-philippe-pocket-watch-sells-for-5-million-sets-new-world/#commentsFiled under: ,


A Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Calibre 89 pocket watch, the world's most complex timepiece as mentioned by my colleague Ariel Adams last month, just sold for a world record price of CHF 5,120,000, or $5.068 million at Antiquorum's 35th Anniversary Sale in Geneva. "The incredible result realized for the Calibre 89 in our 35th anniversary auction indicates that the market for the most complicated and important watches in the world remains exceptionally strong," notes Antiquorum Chairman Robert Maron. "We are extremely honored to have sold this exceptional and unique timepiece for the second time in Antiquorum's history and are thrilled that we have once again achieved a world record price at auction." With a staggering 33 complications, the watch weighs nearly 2.5 lbs. and has an 18k yellow gold case. It was made to honor the 150th anniversary of the famed Swiss watchmaker.

LuxistPatek Philippe Pocket Watch Sells for $5 Million, Sets New World Record originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntiquorumGenevaPatek PhilippePatekPhilippepocket watchPocketWatchworld recordWorldRecordWed, 18 Nov 2009 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Dalmore Oculus Fetches Over $40,000]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/dalmore-oculus-fetches-over-40-000/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/dalmore-oculus-fetches-over-40-000/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/18/dalmore-oculus-fetches-over-40-000/#commentsFiled under: ,

dalmore oculusIt didn't set a new world record but it was pretty close. The Dalmore Oculus, a crystal decanter of a whisky blend using vintages as old as 1868 recently brought in £27,600 ($46,400) at an auction in Edinburgh. The Dalmore Oculus was selected from cask 1781, distilled in 1951, some 58 years old. Rare malts selected from vintages distilled in 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939 as well as a bit of the 64 year old were also added.

Bonhams had put an estimate of £15,000 to 20,000 on the Oculus. Bonhams has seen a boom in whisky sales. Bloomberg News reports that the company has sold 98 percent of the lots at its whisky auctions this year. The sale also included the first section of the collection of WIllard Folsom, a collection of 3,000 bottles. The world record, £29,400 pounds was set two years ago at a sale in Glasgow for a bottle of Bowmore made by W&J Mutter's in about 1850.

LuxistDalmore Oculus Fetches Over $40,000 originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The three boats that once belonged to Bernie Madoff generated more than a million dollars for victims of his $65 billion Ponzi scheme on Tuesday. Seventy bidders registered with National Liquidators to chase after the boats, along with a Mercedes and another yacht owned by Madoff's CFO, Frak DiPascali.

"Bull," which was Madoff's 55-foot yacht, sold for $700,000, with the 38-foot "Sitting Bull" following at $320,000 and the 24-foot "Little Bull" fetching a mere $21,000. His 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK 320 convertible was good for $30,000, despite the fact that it has only 12,827 miles on it. The top seller was DiPasclai's 61-foot 2003 Viking sport fishing yacht, which sold for $950,000 at the auction.

The sales were helped along by the fact that Madoff took excellent care of his yachts. Bob Toney, president of National Liquidators, told Bloomberg News, "Mr. Madoff has taken better care of his yachts than anyone else I know," continuing, "they were crew-maintained all the time."

Gallery: Bernie Madoff's Little Bull


Gallery: Bernie Madoff's Sitting Bull


Gallery: Bernie Madoff's The Bull

LuxistMadoff Bull(s) Worth More than $1 million originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionsbernard madoffBernardMadoffbernie madoffBernieMadoffmadoffmadoff securitiesmadoffscandalMadoffSecuritiesmercedesmercedes-benzmercedesbenzscandalscandalsyachtyacht for saleYachtForSaleyachtsWed, 18 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[James Bond Items on Offer in Pop Culture Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/james-bond-items-on-offer-in-pop-culture-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/james-bond-items-on-offer-in-pop-culture-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/james-bond-items-on-offer-in-pop-culture-auction/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Daniel Craig's aviator sunglasses designed by Tom Ford for last year's Quantum of Solace (above) are among a collection of James Bond items in Christie's London's Vintage Film Posters and Entertainment Memorabilia auction on Nov. 24. The shades, estimated at £1,000 - £1,500, are among the more modern 007 mementos in the sale, along with a poker table chair and barstool graced by Mr. Craig's derriere in 2006's Casino Royale, estimated at £1,000 - £1,500. On the vintage front there are some key items from 1974's The Man With the Golden Gun, such as a two-piece black silk evening suit made for Roger Moore for the film, offered at £3,000 - £5,000. Also from that film are the arch villain Scaramanga's custom triggers for the golden gun itself, made in the form of cufflinks which he used to assemble the lethal weapon, estimated at £2,000 - £3,000. On offer as well are a pair of black leather of Salvatore Ferragamo dress shoes worn by Moore in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, signed on the inside in gold ink along with a jocular note from the actor, for £800 - £1,200.

[via Duncan Quinn]

LuxistJames Bond Items on Offer in Pop Culture Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007Casino RoyaleCasinoRoyaleChristiescufflinksDaniel CraigDanielCraigDavid NivenDavidNivenJames BondJamesBondQuantum of SolaceQuantumOfSolaceRoger MooreRogerMooreSalvatore FerragamoSalvatoreFerragamosunglassesTom FordTomFordTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[More Blixseth Bounty Up For Bid]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/more-blixseth-bounty-up-for-bid/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/more-blixseth-bounty-up-for-bid/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/17/more-blixseth-bounty-up-for-bid/#commentsFiled under: ,


I mentioned one auction of some of the furniture from the Yellowstone Club before but now more of the furniture that Edra Blixseth bought to furnish the luxury enclave is set to go up for auction. Kamelot Auction House in Philadelphia will host the sale of the former furnishings and art from the Yellowstone Club on November 21 at 10 a.m. The Blixseths had properties around the globe and travelled extensively finding art and furnishings wherever they roamed. Now as a result of their divorce and Edra Blixseth's bankruptcy these pieces must be sold. The Yellowstone Club collection will be offered without any minimum bids or reserves.

The auction includes nearly 50 rugs. The Blixseths bought from across a wide range of periods and styles but seemed to have a particular fondness for dark carved wood and chairs ulpholstered in velvet. The rosewood and bronze sideboard from a French chateau circa 1875 shown above is just one of their many European purchases. Other items include wooden telephone booths, antique display cases, industrial tables and shelving, taxidermy and vintage sporting equipment. A rare pair of carved and mirrored Victorian billiard cue racks and scoreboard will be offered along with two full-sized bronze horses and Colonial riders and a pair of life-size cast bronze elk which stand nearly ten feet high. A complete catalogue for this auction including photo galleries and detailed descriptions of every lot to be sold is currently available at www.kamelotauctions.com. Bidding by phone will be available for out-of-town customers.

LuxistMore Blixseth Bounty Up For Bid originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest "Bull" from Bernie Madoff is about to be unloaded. His yacht, which bears that name, will join two others under the gavel, and the action before the sale is already impressive. So far, 29 people have thrown down the $100,000 deposit needed to gain a ticket to the party, and the U.S. Marshals Service expects more registrations to come.

There's a theme in the both names. His largest yacht, a 55-foot 1969 Rybovitch sportfisher is called "Bull," and the other two, a 38-footer and a 24-footer, are named "Sitting Bull" and "Little Bull," respectively. Also, Frank DiPascali's 61-foot Viking fishing yacht will be auctioned off on Tuesday. DiPascali was Madoff's CFO.

Non-maritime lots to wind up on the block include a 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 convertible, with only 12,800 miles on it.

The auction has not been given a presale estimate, figuring that the Madoff name can push prices higher. This is exactly what happened over the weekend, when an auction of the felon's personal effects brought in north of $1 million.

Says Jennifer Crane of the asset forfeiture division of the U.S. Marshals Service, "You can't really put a price on this."

Gallery: Bernie Madoff's Little Bull


Gallery: Bernie Madoff's Sitting Bull


Gallery: Bernie Madoff's The Bull


LuxistMadoff Bull to Flow at Marshals Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauctionsBernardMadoffbernie madoffBernieMadoffFrank DiPascaliFrankDipascalimadoffMadoffPonziSchemeMadoffScandalMarshalsmercedes-benzscandalScandalsUS MarshalsUsMarshalsyachtyacht for saleYachtForSaleyachtsMon, 16 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Most Expensive Bottle of Beer Fetches Over $16,000 At Auction ]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/most-expensive-bottle-of-beer-fetches-over-16-000-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/most-expensive-bottle-of-beer-fetches-over-16-000-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/most-expensive-bottle-of-beer-fetches-over-16-000-at-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

hindenbergA bottle of beer rescued from the crash of the Hindenburg recently sold at auction for over $16,000 according to This is Wiltshire in the UK. This is significantly above the estimate placed on the bottle of $4,000 - $8,000. The airship crashed on May 6, 1937 over Lakehurst, New Jersey where the bottle and other memorabilia was found by fire Chief Leroy Smith at the scene of the disaster.

Apparently the fire chief found a total of six scorched bottles and a pitcher at the scene. He buried his treasures and then came back afterward to dig them up and hand them out as souvenirs to his colleagues. No one knows where the other bottles are located except for one, which chief Smith gave to the Lowenbrau brewery in 1977, where it remains today. He kept one bottle and the pitcher, which bears the logo of the Deutsche Zeppelin Reedrei airline that operated the Hindenburg. Both pieces are scorched and were sold with letters of provenance and an account of how the items were acquired.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge of the British auction house Henry Aldridge and Sons has been quoted as saying "It is the most valuable bottle of beer ever sold." Even though one can still see the contents of the Lowenbrau bottle, the remnants of the beer would be undrinkable. The auction house specializes in relics of disaster and has been the largest auctioneer of memorabilia from the Titanic.

LuxistMost Expensive Bottle of Beer Fetches Over $16,000 At Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerHenry Aldridge and SonsHenryAldridgeAndSonsHindenburgHindenburg beerHindenburgBeerLowenbrauZeppelinSat, 14 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Evening Star Crowns Important Collector's Jewelry Sale]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/evening-star-crowns-important-collectors-jewelry-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/evening-star-crowns-important-collectors-jewelry-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/evening-star-crowns-important-collectors-jewelry-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

evening star
You have to be a very important collector to get your own sale at Christie's. Most collections are amassed into larger sales but a single owner collection of 10 jewels is set for December 10, is set for the same day as the New York Jewels sale at Christie's New York. This smaller sale features some big stones. The most important is the "Evening Star" diamond, a pear-shaped, 39-carat, D-color diamond mounted in a platinum pendant. This stone is a type IIa diamond the type which was found in India's famous ancient Golconda mines. It is certified to be VVS1 clarity and is accompanied by a working diagram indicating that the clarity may be potentially internally flawless.

The Evening Star alone is estimated at $3.6 million to $5.5 million. The name comes from the owner's habit of wearing the stone to evening galas. She wore the stone suspended from a diamond necklace that consisted of 68 graduated pear-shaped diamonds. That necklace is also for sale with an estimated value of $400,000 to $600,000. And to complete the parure you can pick up the matching pair of diamond ear pendants with two pear-shaped, D-color diamonds of 10.21 and 10.51 carats. The earrings which are also type IIa stones are estimated to bring in $1.7 million to $2.5 million.

Other diamond pieces in the sale include a diamond bracelet by Van Cleef and Arpels and a 36.78-carat, rectangular-cut, D-color, internally flawless diamond ring mounted in platinum with an estimated value of between $2.75 million and $3.5 million. If diamonds aren't your favorite you can bid on an a rare color-change alexandrite ring. The 3.6 carat stone show teal in daylight and purple in incandescent light.

[via National Jeweler]

LuxistEvening Star Crowns Important Collector's Jewelry Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexandriteevening star diamondEveningStarDiamondgolconda diamondsGolcondaDiamondsjewelryrare diamondsRareDiamondstype iia diamondTypeIiaDiamondSat, 14 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Phillips de Pury Auction Worth the Price of a Painting]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/phillips-de-pury-auction-worth-the-price-of-a-painting/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/phillips-de-pury-auction-worth-the-price-of-a-painting/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/14/phillips-de-pury-auction-worth-the-price-of-a-painting/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Phillips de Pury auction on Thursday night raked in what once would have come from a single painting. Despite parading out pieces by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Richard Prince, the sale was good for a mere $7 million, with individual lots moving for prices in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thirty-nine went under the gavel, and eight didn't sell.

The Chelsea auction house lacks the savvy, knowledge and reach of Sotheby's and Christie's, so it had to lean on British art collector Charles Saatchi, who has agreed to complete most of his transactions through Phillips de Pury. In trade, subsidies from the auction house help keep access to Saatchi's gallery free.

Roughly a dozen of the lots came from Saatchi, while the others are said to have been rejected by Sotheby's and Christie's. In general, the pieces were "pretty skimpy," according to Manhattan art dealer Edward Tyler Nahem, who observes that the auction house "did pretty well with what they had."

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was the top seller, with her painting "Infinity Nets (T.W.A.)" busting past its high-end presale estimate of $400,000 and settling at $842,500 (including fees). Kusama's performance follows a well-hyped exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery this year.

Continue reading Phillips de Pury Auction Worth the Price of a Painting

LuxistPhillips de Pury Auction Worth the Price of a Painting originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy warholAndyWarholart auctionart auctionsart collectingart collectionart collectorart dealerart marketArtAuctionArtAuctionsArtCollectingArtCollectionArtCollectorArtDealerArtMarketauction houseauction housesAuctionHouseAuctionHousesCharles SaatchiCharlesSaatchiChelseaChristiesgagosianGagosian GalleryGagosianGalleryJeff KoonsJeffKoonsmanhattannew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityphillips de puryPhillipsDePuryrichard princeRichardPrincesaatchisothebysyayoi kusamaYayoiKusamaSat, 14 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Audrey Hepburn's Clothing Up For Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/audrey-hepburns-clothing-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/audrey-hepburns-clothing-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/audrey-hepburns-clothing-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

audrey hepburnThe world remains inspired by eternal fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. Buyers can sample her legendary style at an upcoming sale that includes 36 items of clothing on offer dating from 1953 to the late 60s as well as hats, belts and accessories. Kerry Taylor Auctions will be holding the sale on December 8 in London.

In 1951, Audrey left Europe for the USA to star in the Broadway production of 'Gigi'. She sorted through her unwanted clothes and passed on the things she no longer needed to her close friend Tanja Star-Busmann. Over time this became a tradition for the stylish star who always travelled with many suitcases full of fabulous fashions. The auction also includes a group of letters in which she describes an early film break, her proposed wedding to James Hanson and the time she spent filming "Roman Holiday".

Items up for bid include a Givenchy-designed black cloqué silk gown for Audrey to wear for the film 'Paris When it Sizzles' in 1962 (£10-15,000) and a Chantilly lace cocktail gown which she wore in the 'How to Steal a Million' in 1966 (£15-20,000). Also up for sale is the ivory satin bridal gown designed for Audrey Hepburn by the Fontana Sisters for her planned marriage to James (later Lord) Hanson. In 1952, while filming `Roman Holiday' with Gregory Peck in Rome, Hepburn approached the Fontana sisters to ask them to make her bridal gown. Weeks later when Audrey called off the wedding she requested that the dress be given away to "perhaps someone who couldn't ever afford a dress like mine, the most beautiful, poor Italian girl you can find." The dress was given to a young Italian girl named Amabile Altobella. The dress will be sold with a photograph of Audrey wearing the original Fontana gown and a letter from the vendor confirming the provenance. It is estimated to fetch £8000-12000.

50 percent of the sale proceeds of lots will be donated go to The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. Highlights from the sale will be show at Sotheby's New York, November 21-22 and at Sotheby's Paris, December 1-2.

[via Art Daily]

LuxistAudrey Hepburn's Clothing Up For Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionaudrey hepburnAudreyHepburncelebrity clothing saleCelebrityClothingSaleThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Gisele, Carla Bruni Nude & More in Photo Sale]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/gisele-carla-bruni-nude-and-more-in-photo-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/gisele-carla-bruni-nude-and-more-in-photo-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/gisele-carla-bruni-nude-and-more-in-photo-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,


Now through November 19, artnet Auctions is featuring Faces & Figures, a special sale of 375 photographs by famous artists including Nan Goldin, Santé D'Orazio, David LaChapelle, Helmut Newton, Bert Stern and Pamela Hanson. The stunning sale features several nude supermodel portraits, including a nude of Carla Bruni by Hanson from 1994, vastly underestimated at $1,500 - $2,000 considering an identical one sold over the summer for $18,000. Other highlights include nudes of Frederique Van Der Wal from 1990 by D'Orazio, $1,000 - $1,500; a sexy snap of Gisele Bundchen by Mark Seliger (above) from 2000, estimated at $8,000 - $10,000; and a nude Gisele astride a horse by Walter Chin, $4,000 - $6,000. A nude of Pamela Anderson by LaChapelle is expected to fetch $18,000 - $24,000, and there several famous nudes of Marilyn Monroe by Stern. Also included are portraits of rock stars including the Rolling Stones, artists like Warhol and Basquiat, and celebs like Jackie Kennedy and Marlon Brando.

LuxistGisele, Carla Bruni Nude & More in Photo Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artnetCarla BruniCarlaBruniGisele BundchenGiseleBundchenHelmut NewtonHelmutNewtonPamela AndersonPamelaAndersonphotographySante DOrazioSanteDoraziosupermodelsThu, 12 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sotheby's Wins with Warhol]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/sotheby-s-wins-with-warhol/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/sotheby-s-wins-with-warhol/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/12/sotheby-s-wins-with-warhol/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Christie's crowd on Tuesday may not have been ready to shell out big bucks for Andy Warhol's "Tunafish Disaster," but the crowd at Sotheby's was more than happy to by a boatload of currency. The top pop artist's "200 One Dollar Bills" found a buyer for a monstrous $43.8 million at the Sotheby's art auction in New York on Wednesday.

Pauline Karpidas, an art collector in London, offered the piece, Bloomberg News reports but wasn't able to verify with the collector herself. It looks like she scored with this one. "200 One Dollar Bills" carried a presale estimate of $8 million to $12 million, which didn't last long.

The piece consists of what its title states: 200 real-sized one dollar bills reproduced in black on grey ... and with a blue replica of the Treasury Department seal. If they were real cash, the sale price was greater by a factor of 219,000.

This wasn't the only success of the evening, and overall, the outcome was fantastic. Only two of the 54 lots failed to find new homes, and the final number, $134.4 million, thrashed the presale estimate of $97.7 million.

LuxistSotheby's Wins with Warhol originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy warholAndyWarholartart auctionart auctionsart collectorArtAuctionArtAuctionsArtCollectorartistartworkauctionauctionhouseauctionssothebysThu, 12 Nov 2009 06:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Basquiat and Warhol Fail Christie's]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/basquiat-and-warhol-fail-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/basquiat-and-warhol-fail-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/basquiat-and-warhol-fail-christies/#commentsFiled under: ,

Christie's tried in New York with a 1983 piece by Jean-Michel Basquiat and didn't succeed. The auction house may have been too aggressive in estimating the 16-foot piece at $9 million. That's what's tough about the art market right now. There are signs of recovery, and it can be tempting to push for higher prices. Unfortunately, it's easy to get a bit excited. The painting had the highest estimate at the auction. The piece with the second highest presale estimate, a piece by Andy Warhol, met a similar fate.

The Basquiat piece, "Brother Sausage," was offered anonymously by a buyer later revealed by Bloomberg News to be Peter Brant, an art collector based in Connecticut. The piece may be a casualty of his divorce from model Stephanie Seymour. Well, it won't be financing post-marital discord and could remain a contested asset for a while.

Warhol's "Tunafish Disaster" was projected to move for up to $8 million and, like the Basquiat painting, didn't receive any bids. Art dealer Robert Mnuchin of L&M Arts was stuck taking it home.

Yet, some works beat the odds in an auction that raked in $74.2 million, within the presale range of $61.5 million to $88 million. Nonetheless, this was the lowest result we've seen from a Christie's New York contemporary art effort since May 2003 and down 81 percent from the top of the market two and a half years ago.

Continue reading Basquiat and Warhol Fail Christie's

LuxistBasquiat and Warhol Fail Christie's originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy warholAndyWarholartart auctionart auctionsart collectingart collectionart collectorart dealerart marketArtAuctionArtAuctionsArtCollectingArtCollectionArtCollectorArtDealerartistArtMarketartworkauctionauction-houseauctionhouseauctionsbasquiatchristiesconnecticutcontemporary artContemporaryArtjasper johnsJasperJohnsjean michel basquiatJeanMichelBasquiatjeff koonsJeffKoonsmanhattanmichael jacksonMichaelJacksonnew yorknew york new yorkNewYorkNewYorkNewYorkpeter brantPeterBranttaschenwarholWed, 11 Nov 2009 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Unused Beatles Album Art Goes Up For Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/unused-beatles-album-art-goes-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/unused-beatles-album-art-goes-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/unused-beatles-album-art-goes-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,


The painting shown above, a 1968 watercolor by American artist Jim Dine, has an interesting story. The work was originally commissioned by Capitol Records for a Beatles album which was never made because the Beatles left Capitol and formed the Apple Records label. The graphite and watercolor on vellum lot of five works depict individual toothbrushes labeled for each member of the band The pieces, which are expected to bring $25,000-35,000, have been in the private collection of former president of Capital Records, Sal Iannucci, and his wife Aileen.

These unique pieces are part of the Bonhams & Butterfields fall auction of Modern, Contemporary and Latin American Art on November 17, 2009 in Los Angeles. The over 200-lot sale will include pieces by Alexander Calder, Paul Cézanne, Pedro Coronel, Emil Filla, George Grosz, Armand Guillaumin, Henri Lebasque, Fernand Léger, Maximilien Luce, Diego Rivera, Frank Stella, Maurice Utrillo, Andy Warhol and Francisco Zúñiga, as well as a selection of contemporary Asian art. The auction catalogue's cover lot, Study for a Blue Nude, 2000 by Tom Wesselmann is expected to bring $50,000-70,000.

Gallery: Four Beatles, Four Toothbrushes

LuxistUnused Beatles Album Art Goes Up For Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple recordsAppleRecordsartbeatlescapitol recordsCapitolRecordsgeorge harrisonGeorgeHarrisonjim dineJimDinejohn lennonJohnLennonmusic memorabiliaMusicMemorabiliapaul mccartneyPaulMccartneyringo starrRingoStarrWed, 11 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley Art Project Benefits Cancer Research]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bentley-art-project-benefits-cancer-research/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bentley-art-project-benefits-cancer-research/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bentley-art-project-benefits-cancer-research/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

bentley art

There are few automobiles we could truly consider works of art. And most of them are expensive. Bentley surely ranks among them, but the British luxury automaker has taken things one step further.

In a new project, Bentley invited its designers to create works of art inspired by their work. No fewer than 22 participated, working in every medium from photography and painting to sculpture. The results are truly intriguing, and will be auctioned off on December 1 in a charity auction held by Bonhams to benefit cancer research at Manchester's The Christie Hospital. The event is by invitation only, but you can view the pieces in the gallery below.

Gallery: Bentley Art Project

LuxistBentley Art Project Benefits Cancer Research originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley art projectbentley design passionBentleyArtProjectBentleyDesignPassionbonhamscharity auctionCharityAuctionthe christieTheChristieWed, 11 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Bvlgari Save The Children Auction At Christie's]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bulgari-save-the-children-auction-at-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bulgari-save-the-children-auction-at-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/bulgari-save-the-children-auction-at-christies/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Bvlgari's work with Save the Children takes center stage at Christie's New York during a special auction to benefit the Rewrite the Future campaign. The campaign has a mission of providing quality education for 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas. To celebrate their 125 year anniversary, Bvlgari will auction an extraordinary collection of 11 one-of- a-kind jewelry creations and 7 limited edition timepieces. The jewels' overall value is estimated at around $4 million and all proceeds will be donated the campaign.

The collection was officially presented to the public on May 20, 2009 at a private celebration inaugurating Bulgari's first-ever retrospective museum exhibition at the prestigious Il Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. From June until November 2009 the collection will tour the world's greatest cities, where they will be presented at a series of high-profile events. The international tour will culminate with the New York auction in December when the pieces will be sold at Christie's.

You can also still participate in this important campaign by buying the Bvlgari Save the Children ring which is on sale until the end of the year.


Gallery: Bulgari Save The Children Auction

Yellow Gold SautoirPlatinum Multi-Colored Sapphire and Diamond Necklace:Diamond Color change Star Sapphire and Diamond Ring

LuxistBvlgari Save The Children Auction At Christie's originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bulgaribvlgarichristies new yorkChristiesNewYorkrewrite the futureRewriteTheFuturesave the childrenSaveTheChildrenWed, 11 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve McQueen's 1940 Indian Chief at Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/steve-mcqueens-1940-indian-chief-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/steve-mcqueens-1940-indian-chief-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/11/steve-mcqueens-1940-indian-chief-at-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,


Steve McQueen's magnificent 1940 Indian Chief motorcycle, one of the most prized among his collection, is being auction off on Nov. 14 during Bonhams & Butterfields' Classic California sale at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The King of Cool was pictured with the beloved bike on the cover of the book Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. The actor had the classic moto meticulously restored by Southern California's Starklite Motors in the '70s and used it to zoom around the Hollywood Hills. It's estimated at an extremely reasonable $55,000 - $65,000. Also on offer is McQueen's original condition 1949 Chevy pickup which he used to travel incognito around Beverly Hills, wearing sunglasses and a big cowboy hat to dodge the paparazzi; it's estimated at $20,000 - $30,000.

[via Duncan Quinn]

LuxistSteve McQueen's 1940 Indian Chief at Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BonhamsBonhams ButterfieldsBonhamsButterfieldscelebrityIndian motorcyclesIndianMotorcyclesLos AngelesLosAngelesmotorcycleSteve McQueenSteveMcqueenWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:01:00 EST