18 septembre 2010

Gianfranco Ferré. Estimate 4,000-6,000 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co Under the high-patronage of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Swarovski Elements presents 22 Ways To Say Black, a charity auction of original couture to benefit breast cancer research. SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS has commissioned 22 of fashion’s most notable known names and talented newcomers to design one-of-a-kind little black dresses for the initiative 22 Ways To Say Black. On September 20, 2010 at the acclaimed gallery, Phillips de Pury & Company in New... [Lire la suite]

A good pair of cloisonné Fu-lion candelabras. Qing dynasty, 18th century. photo courtesy Sotheby's each powerfully modeled, seated on its haunches with head turned to one side and tail wrapped around over its hind paws, grasping in its jaws a gnarled flowering branch of plum blossoms with three sprigs rising high above the head, supporting a lotus form candle holder, the body decorated with gilt-wire fur and scattered with Buddhist Emblems, lotus flowers, and qilin on a turquoise and blue ground (2); length 12 in., 30.5 cm -... [Lire la suite]

A pair of diamond flower earrings, by Van Cleef & Arpels. photo courtesy Bonhams Each earring designed as a single flowerhead pavé-set throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds and set to the centre with a larger similarly cut diamond in a claw setting, mounted in 18 carat gold, diamonds approximately 3.00 carats total, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, numbered, maker's marks, French assay marks, length 2.0cm., maker's case - Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 A mother-of-pearl and diamond clip brooch, by Van Cleef & Arpels.... [Lire la suite]

A rare imperial inscribed jade book. Dated Sunzi Wuzi cyclical year (1648). photo courtesy Sotheby's comprising ten thick jade plaques of rectangular form, the Khotan green jade of greyish olive-green tone, the cover and back plates each boldly incised and gilt with a pair of ascending and descending dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl between ruyi-shaped clouds, a further four plates neatly incised and gilt with four columns of Chinese characters written in xingshu, beginning with the date 'Shunzhi wu nian wuzi', and... [Lire la suite]

A pair of early 20th century pearl and diamond pendent earrings. photo courtesy Bonhams Each drop-shaped pearl of light grey or white tint, measuring 9.9-10.0mm., surmounted by a cap of chevron design set with rows of single and rose-cut diamonds, suspended from an articulated line of single and old brilliant-cut diamonds, length 6.2cm. Estimate: £10,000 - 12,000 Accompanied by a certificate from The Gem and Pearl Laboratory stating that the pearls were found to be natural and of saltwater origin. Certificate number 03089,... [Lire la suite]

Pablo Picasso, La Minotauromachie, Etching, 1935 (detail). Estimate: £400,000 - 600,000. Sold for £1,273,250 ($1,987,416). Photo: Sotheby's. LONDON.- A new record has been set for any single print sold at auction with the sale of Pablo Picasso’s La Minotauromachie for £1,273,250 / $1,987,416 at Sotheby’s in London . The print eclipsed the pre-sale high estimate of £600,000 (the estimate was £400,000-600,000). Discussing the sale, James Mackie, Sotheby’s Prints specialist, said: “A new record has been set for any single print... [Lire la suite]

A carnelian double snuff bottle, 1750-1800. Imperial, attributed to the Palace workshops, Beijing. photo courtesy Sotheby's well hollowed and carved in the form of a 'Hero's vase', the stone of caramel-pink tone with paler inclusions, carved as two cylinders incised with archaistic scroll patterns and carved with mock mask and ring handles, the two bottles linked by a fabulous bird, the whole resting on the back of a crouching feline beast; height 2 in., 5.1 cm. Estimate 30,000—50,000 USD. Lot Sold 80,500 USD ... [Lire la suite]

A late 19th century pearl and diamond brooch. photo courtesy Bonhams The realistically designed leaves set with old brilliant and cushion-shaped diamonds, highlighted by five larger similarly cut diamonds, suspending a large detachable baroque pearl swing drop, mounted in silver and gold, diamonds approximately 8.25 carats total, width 5.5cm. Estimate: £12,000 - 15,000 Bonhams. Fine Jewellery, 22 Sep 2010 New Bond Street www.bonhams.com

A very rare carved polychrome lacquer 'Knick-knack Peddler' box and cover. Jiajing mark and period. photo courtesy Sotheby's the straight-sided domed cover finely carved through the cinnabar, yellow and green lacquer with a raised medallion of eight children surrounding a jovial and bearded peddler carrying a massive horn-like yoke on his back from which is strapped a pair of rattan arches, each balancing a large balustraded square basket filled with carved lacquer vases, food containers and tall rattan canes... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1379. A rare famille verte and iron-red-decorated 'birthday' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722), 7 1/8 in. (18 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 74,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2010  Of shallow form, finely decorated in the interior with Shoulao holding a ruyi scepter while seated on a green and yellow mat beside a recumbent deer and bundle of wrapped scrolls, his attendant to one side... [Lire la suite]