Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales (July 2024)

Four amazing lots that wowed bidders at recent auctions include a stunning 7.01-carat diamond, a John Lennon guitar, a rare water clock and a beautiful painting by Anita Magsaysay-Ho.

Orange Zest: Diamond ring wows in all facets

A painting by Filipino artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho wowed bidders at a recent auction held by Christie’s in Hong Kong. The painting, Three Women with Pineapples, is considered a rarity in the art world and its price peaked at HK$7.56 million (US$968,000), comfortably above the pre-auction estimate of HK$4–$6 million.

It was part of a series of four 20th- and 21st-century art auctions during Christie’s Spring Auction season where works by Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai and Filipino artists achieved 100% sales. “Modern art by Southeast Asian artists such as Anita Magsaysay-Ho, fresh to the market, appeal to collectors this season because of the rarity and quality of the works, which are at the forefront of documenting the societal developments in [the region],” said Christie’s spokesperson Doris Fan.

Born in 1914 and the only woman among the so-called ‘Thirteen Moderns’ of renowned Filipino painters, Magsaysay-Ho would often feature women in everyday activities such as harvesting fruit, collecting grain or selling fish. She liked to portray their camaraderie, and this canvas is typical of her celebration of the female form.

Help! Wanted: Iconic Lennon guitar breaks records

A 1964 guitar used by The Beatles’ legend John Lennon when recording the album, Help!, has sold for a whopping US$2.86 million (HK$22.4 million) at an auction held at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. The sale, conducted by pop memorabilia specialist Julien’s Auctions, saw frenzied bidding for the instrument which had featured in one of the group’s best-known songs. The prized lot eventually went to a telephone bidder at a price which smashed the record for the most expensive Beatles’ guitar in auction history and the fifth highest ever garnered by a guitar.

The Framus Hootenanny 12-string acoustic guitar, which Lennon had given to a fellow musician in 1965, was recently discovered in an attic, and its sale was highly anticipated by Beatles’ enthusiasts and music collectors alike. “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon’s lost Hootenanny guitar,” said David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “Today’s unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of The Beatles’ music and John Lennon.”

Pineapple Power: Rich harvest for Filipino artist’s ode to women

Magnet Strike: Precious water clock brings good fortune

Described as one of the most significant horological rediscoveries of the 21st century, an extremely rare Cartier water clock instigated a tense 25-minute bidding war at auction in Hong Kong, eventually selling for HK$15 million (US$1.92 million). The sale was conducted by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, and such was the interest in this masterpiece of craftsmanship that a total of 75 bids were placed and the final price broke the world auction record for a magnetic water clock.

Of all the magnificent water clocks to have come to market, La Pendule Magnétique is considered to be perhaps the most lavishly designed one to exit the Cartier workshops. Crafted in the popular Chinoiserie style circa 1929, it is distinguished by a 17th-century jade water basin, decorated with coral and black enamel, containing a floating carp that serves as the hour hand. In another auspicious touch, an emerald-eyed qilin carved from nephrite coils around the bowl. Its 22cm-diameter base is made of marble studded with lapis lazuli and aventurine.

The clock had been considered lost for decades before resurfacing.

Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales (June 2024)

Four amazing lots that wowed bidders at recent auctions.

Ring of Rose: Flawless diamond fortunate for one

A simply marvellous 55.55-carat oval diamond, named Fortune Five, was the star of the show at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale, going for HK$45.2 million (US$5.8 million). Coming in as the top-seller at the Hong Kong auction, the final price attained for the unmounted D-flawless type IIa diamond fell within the pre-auction estimate of US$4.9 million to US$6.4 million.

A product of nature transformed into a beautiful jewel through ingenious human craftsmanship, this brilliant-cut stone undoubtedly captivated the enthralled bidders. It hails from a mine in Lesotho in southern Africa, one of the largest sources of highly coveted type IIa diamonds, where extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth’s mantle represent the perfect conditions for carbon atoms to crystallise into precious gemstones. The IIa ranking certifies that it is the most chemically pure of diamonds.

Reaching the colour grading of D, the highest possible, signifies that the stone is completely colourless. Furthermore, the gem contains no visible inclusions or blemishes as it is shown to be flawless when examined under intense magnification. Another alluring feature of the diamond is its wondrous interaction with light.

Spyder Sense: Last Ferrari roars off block

A fabulous Ferrari raced to an astonishing final bid price of US$17.87 million (HK$139.9 million) at Kissimmee 2024, making it the most expensive car sold at the prestigious Mecum auction in Florida by a country mile. The beauty and refined elegance of this 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder wowed bidders, who were also swayed by the knowledge that this was the last such model to be built by the famous Italian marque.

The speed machine stemmed from Ferrari’s desire to produce a sportier open-top model that would offer greater performance. First, in 1957, they remodelled the 250 GT California Spyder into the long-wheelbase (LWB) version, boasting a lightweight chassis shod with a simple but elegant body and retractable top. Three years later, the short-wheelbase (SWB) model was born, employing minor changes for enhanced drivability and appearance, and 55 cars were produced from 1960-1963.

The final one of the series, in beautiful Rosso Cina (China Red) with covered headlights, was completed on 9 February 1963 and imported into the US the following month. Its known ownership history since new further added to its desirability.

Bye Bye Birdie: Sorrowful painting brings collecting joy

A beautiful painting by Jean-Baptiste Greuze of a girl mourning the loss of her bird created a stir at a recent Christie’s auction in New York, setting a new world record for works by the revered French artist. Fetching US$2.47 million (HK$19.3 million), it was the top lot at the ‘A Park Avenue Collection’ sale, whose proceeds amounted to a whopping US$8.89 million.

Une jeune fille qui pleure la mort de son oiseau (A girl weeping over her dead bird) was the first in a series of three similar sentimental paintings by Greuze on the theme of loss stemming from the death of a beloved pet bird. It was completed in 1757 and exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1759. Some art critics believe these works were inspired by an ancient verse of first-century BCE Roman poet Catullus, which details a girl’s grief on the passing of her sparrow.

The single-owner sale featured a number of Old Master paintings, as well as 18th-century furniture and Chinese works of art. Christie’s Specialist Joshua Glazer said: “The superb group of French 18th-century paintings in the collection were universally admired, and we were thrilled to have set a new world auction record for the magnificent Greuze Girl weeping over her dead bird.”

Bottle a Hit: Glazed vase triggers bidding war

An extremely rare guan-glazed octagonal bottle vase attracted frenzied action at a recent auction held by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, with the hammer falling at HK$20.4 million (US$2.6 million) – nearly two times its high estimate. This sought-after prize was secured after a predominately four-way bidding war that lasted fully eight minutes.

The vase was the most valuable lot from a white glove sale of an important European collection of Chinese ceramics acquired from the renowned dealer and collector Edward T. Chow. With all items sold and 90% of them achieving prices above their high estimates, a grand total of HK$71 million was raised.

Standing at 22 centimetres high, this vase is thought to herald from the Song dynasty or later, and it passed to its new owner in excellent condition for its age, albeit with an insignificant microscopic glaze bruise on the lower body. Noted for its beautiful aesthetics and elegant form, this type of vase was made exclusively for the imperial court where it would delight the senses. The one that aroused such interest typifies the delicate interplay between lines and curves and is embossed with many layers of opaque jade-celadon glaze.

Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales (May 2024)

Four amazing lots that wowed bidders at recent auctions include a beautiful 5.02-carat fancy pink diamond, a Kusama pumpkin, a Song era ceramic dish and a Magritte masterpiece.

Ring of Rose: Bidders turn to dazzling pink stone

A stunning 5.02-carat fancy pink diamond and diamond ring wowed collectors at Poly Auction’s spring sales in Hong Kong. The resplendent piece was the highlight of the Magnificent Jewels sale and its undeniable beauty caused a stir in the auction room at the Grand Hyatt, eventually securing a mammoth final bid of HK$13.2 million. “The strong price achieved for the pink diamond reflects a sturdy market demand,” commented Fung Chiang, Head of Magnificent Jewels and Important Watches at Poly Auction.

Perhaps part of the reason for the ongoing strong demand for such gemstones is their uniqueness. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), only one out of 10,000 carats of fashioned diamonds displays fancy colour, such as the hue bedazzling this prized lot. In the vast majority of cases, the colour is the result of distortion in the stone’s crystal structure rather than the incursion of trace elements.

The rarity of fancy pink diamonds combined with their popularity has seen prices soar over recent years and they have become an alternative investment for some collectors. Reaching the GIA Fancy Pink level, this breathtaking pear-shaped stone is graded VS1 clarity.

Seed Money: Pumpkin work connects the dots

A brilliantly bold pumpkin sculpture by renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama sent bidders at Sotheby’s auction house in Hong Kong wild with excitement. The hammer was eventually struck on a whopping winning bid of HK$36.14 million, near the high end of the pre-auction estimate. Pumpkin, created in 2019 and signed and dated by Kusama, is made of urethane on fibreglass-reinforced plastic.

The yellow and black pumpkin sculpture with its beguiling series of polka dots measures about one metre tall and wide, and is considered the epitome of optimism, serenity and joy. Such is the popularity of the Kusama pumpkin that many similar examples reside in museums around the world.

Pumpkins have been a central theme in the artist’s oeuvre over many years, and she has said that they reflect the aura of her mental state and embody the joy of living. Certainly, the ‘princess of polka dots’ developed an almost spiritual fascination with the pumpkin from childhood experiences at her family’s seed nursery. In an almost surreal memory of the moment, she has recounted how a pumpkin began to speak to her in an animated manner.

Rare Dish: Ceramics collectors go for a Song

A dainty yet magnificent ceramic from the Song era sparked frenzied bidding in a packed New York salesroom at the recent Christie’s Asian Art Week. Measuring 14 centimetres in diameter, the fine Ge foliate dish from the Southern Song-Yuan Dynasty (1127-1368) went for US$1.8 million (HK$14 million).

Part of the Linyushanren collection, this rare Ge kiln firing showing characteristic monochromatic and crackled glaze was the top lot from the Important Chinese Art Including the Collection of Dorothy Tapper Goldman auction series. Spread over two days, the sales raised a total of US$19.13 million, with more than half of the highly competitive bidders emanating from Asia. Another prized piece was a large blue and white dragon dish from the Yongzheng period (the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, 1678-1735).

Commenting on the success of the auction, Christie’s Chinese art specialist Vicki Paloympis said: “Rare ceramics from private collections commanded high prices, including [this] crackle-glazed Ge foliate dish from the Southern Song-Yuan dynasty. We also continue to have great success with single-owner American collections, and a group of Song-Qing ceramics from the Alita Davis Weaver collection.” 

Bowled Over: Intimate Magritte masterpiece caps sale

An amazing piece of surrealism by René Magritte fetched an astonishing £33.7 million (HK$338.2 million) at a recent auction held by Christie’s in London. The work, L’ami intime (The Intimate Friend), shone at the auction house’s 20th/21st Century London Evening Sales, achieving the highest bid by far.

Painted in 1958, the masterpiece appeared at auction for the first time in more than 40 years. It was offered from the New York-based collection of Gilbert and Lena Kaplan, who themselves acquired the work in 1980. The iconic painting depicts a man in a bowler hat looking directly ahead over a sunlit landscape while a glass of water and baguette appear to be floating in mid-air right behind him. Perhaps part of the immense appeal of this canvas is that it could be considered to cover three genres simultaneously – figure, landscape and still life.

Widely adorned by men during the artist’s youth, the dapper felt hat was a common theme for Magritte, and here its precise dimensions are a striking feature of the painting. Further works by the influential Belgian surrealist also performed above pre-sale expectations.

Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales (April 2024)

Four breathtaking lots that wowed bidders at recent auctions include a painting by the Beatles, a fantastic supercar, a rare Leica camera and a collection of prints by Katsushika Hokusai.

Snap Happy: Original Leica captures imagination

An extremely rare 100-year-old Leica camera sold for a whopping 3.5 million euros (HK$29.6 million) at the fifth Wetzlar Camera Auctions to be held in the German city. The final bid price for this 1923 Leica prototype, part of the iconic 0-series, was by far the highest clinched among an array of more than 250 historical cameras and accessories on the auction block. Fittingly, the majority of items sold were Leica cameras – Wetzlar is the home of the legendary German camera company.

This historic model is one of 22-25 prototypes made for testing purposes, then released as a limited series in 1924, the year before Leica’s birth. The whereabouts of just 16 of these ‘firsts’ are known; this one was part of an Italian private collection. Its black paint finish is in fine condition and it boasts the original leather lens cap with fastening cord and the original spool.

The 35mm camera, designed by Oskar Barnack, instigated a revolution in photography, and this prototype became the model for all 35mm Leicas. Wetzlar Camera Auctions has made a name for itself in recent years for achieving substantial prices for particularly rare photographica.

Fab Work: Beatles’ Japan painting a huge hit

An amazing painting laid down by all four Beatles grabbed the attention of dedicated fans at a recent Christie’s sale in New York. Bidders drove the price of their collective psychedelic handiwork up to US$1.74 million (HK$13.64 million), a figure far in excess of the pre-auction estimate of US$400,000-600,000. The piece, Images of a Woman, was created by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in a Tokyo hotel room in 1966 during their concert tour of Japan.

The work is unique in the sense that it is the only time all four Beatles contributed to the same artwork, and it was also created during one of their last concert tours before the pressures of stardom forced them to quit performing live. Commenting on the auction’s success, Christie’s International Specialist Head Casey Rogers said: “It’s been a thrill to witness another magnificent performance by The Beatles. I am proud of the way we told the story of this one-of-a-kind object that is both a work of art and an intimate piece of memorabilia signed in order by John, Paul, George and Ringo.”

The Beatles produced this wonderful piece using watercolours and oil paints on fine Japanese art paper.

Great View: Collection of prints sets record

A series of prints by Katsushika Hokusai set a world record for the renowned artist at a recent Christie’s auction held in New York during Asian Art Week. The final sales price reached US$3,559,000 for the complete set of Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji which were featured as prized lots of the Japanese and Korean Art section of the sale. The enthusiastic bidding during the auction smashed the previous record set for the artist following a Christie’s auction in 2023.

The Head of Christie’s Japanese and Korean Art Department, Takaaki Murakami, enthused: “It is a once-in-a-generation honour to offer a complete set of Hokusai’s monumental Fuji series. The record-setting result we achieved for the Thirty-Six Views, and the strong prices for other important Hokusai prints, continue our proud tradition of being the leading auction house for this artist.”

Published during 1830 to 1834, all the prints have Mount Fuji featuring in some form in various landscapes, seasons and weather conditions and often acting as a magnificent backdrop to various kinds of human activity. The mountain played an important part in Buddhism in Japan, partly explaining the popularity of the series.

Car Crazy: Fantastic supercar sends bids roaring

A unique hypercar from 2021 sporting a groundbreaking hybrid-drive powertrain went for an astonishing €2.42 million (HK$20.75 million) at a recent auction held by RM Sotheby’s in Paris. The Koenigsegg Regera is considered by automotive experts as a technological tour de force. Capable of zooming to 400 km/h in less than 29 seconds, it is one of the fastest cars out there. Just 80 were made, and the sleek specimen on the auction block was particularly attractive, with a single previous owner and an odometer recording just 522 kilometres.

The wonder model was first unveiled in concept form to an awe-inspired public at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2015, with production commencing a year later. Each Regera boasts a high level of personalisation – this one is finished in moon silver with blue stripes and has steel blue brake callipers and carbon Kevlar 11-spoke Dymag Spider wheels. Furthermore, the series is noted for its close attention to detail, such as constellation-style daytime running lights using a tranche of LEDs set against a polished carbon backdrop.

The driving force behind the marque is Christian von Koenigsegg, the Swedish automotive engineer, inventor and supercar enthusiast.

Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales (March 2024)

Four remarkable lots that impressed bidders in recent auctions are featured in this month’s Look Section, including an amazing floral painting, a classy corvette, a rare buddhist sculpture and one of Jordan’s sneakers.

Super Six: Jordan’s sneakers win the game

Six of the most important pairs of basketball shoes sported during the illustrious career of Michael Jordan went for a whopping US$8 million (about HK$62.5 million) at a Sotheby’s sale in New York last month. The astonishing figure represents the global auction record for game-worn sneakers and the second- highest amount raised for items linked to the Chicago Bulls superstar.

Jordan wore these six individual pairs of Air Jordans when he was playing some of the most important games of his career – namely, the finals of his six-career National Basketball Association (NBA) championships from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. Commenting on this remarkable six-piece lot – dubbed the Michael Jordan ‘Dynasty Collection’ by the auction house – Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables Brahm Wachter said: “A truly unparalleled moment and milestone in auction history, the sale of these six championship- clinching sneakers will likely never be replicated.”

The largest sum accumulated for an auction item from the basketball legend’s catalogue of used sportswear was US$10.1 million, which secured his No. 23 jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals of his ‘Last Dance’ season.

Tibetan King: Rare Buddhist sculpture wows followers

The last privately owned gilt copper alloy figure of Virupaksha, the Buddhist Guardian of the West, caused a stir at a recent auction held in Hong Kong by Bonhams. This early 15th-century figure from the Densatil Monastery in Tibet, measuring an impressive 73 centimetres high, eventually went for HK$37.9 million (about US$4.86 million).

This huge price attained for a figure of Virupaksha, regarded as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, partly reflected the fact that the other three similar sculptures are all now residing in world-class museums – the Capital Museum in Beijing, the Palace Museum in Taipei, and Paris’s Guimet Museum. It is thought the sculpture was crafted when the noble clan ruling central Tibet and officiating at Densatil were at the height of their regal powers.

Edward Wilkinson, Global Head of Himalayan, Indian and Southeast Asian Art at Bonhams said: “As the only guardian from Densatil in private hands, as well as the largest and most engaging sculpture from Densatil, this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure one of the greatest icons of Tibetan art. We are therefore thrilled, but not surprised, that it fetched the top price it deserves.”

Floral Fantasy: Kusama’s bold Flower blooms at auction

A floral painting by Yayoi Kusama, who is renowned for her deep affection for flowers as well as pumpkins and polka dots, delighted the Christie’s salesroom in Hong Kong so much that it garnered the second-highest auction price for the much-loved Japanese artist. The final sum for the 2014 work, called simply A Flower, topped HK$78 million (about US$10 million), a figure that is also greater than the HK$58.5 million attained for another floral work by the same artist at Christie’s the previous season.

Interestingly, Kusama’s life-long fascination with flowers began following a terrifying experience in childhood. She had a sudden, disturbing vision that she was surrounded by hundreds of flowers in a garden and they appeared to be chatting among themselves as if they had taken on human personas. This early moment of distress mushroomed into an illusory fantasy based around flowers and influenced her canon of work over several decades.

A vivid and bold piece with polka-dot motifs created when the artist was in her mid-80s, A Flower displays depth and appreciation of the subtle influence of changes of colour akin to the division and reproduction of cells in nature.

First & Last: Classy Corvette pair grabs headlines

The very first and the very last production Corvette L88 were offered together under one lot by Mecum Auctions at its recent sale in Kissimmee, Florida, resulting in much excitement and a mightily impressive winning bid of US$2.58 million (about HK$20.18 million). Equipped with muscular engines, the two classic Chevrolet ‘dream cars’ were used to turning heads when they hit the US racetracks in the late 1960s and winning awards thereafter.

The oldest model, a 1967 Convertible, is widely known as the very first production Corvette L88 and also has the distinction of being the only L88 Convertible to be painted Tuxedo Black. Its noteworthy racing career included being driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Jerry Thompson, and finishing second in the 1967 Daytona Beach SCCA runoffs. The accolades continued in later life, as it achieved Bloomington Gold certification, numerous NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) Top Flight wins and the NCRS Heritage award in 2013.

The last documented model of the line was manufactured on 4 December 1969. The 1969 Coupe was finished in the famous Corvette factory colour of Fathom Green.

The Marvelous Four on the Auction Block

Four remarkable lots that impressed bidders in recent auctions are featured in this month’s Look Section, including a flawless diamond ring, a likely singular timepiece, a masterpiece of splashed-ink art and six of Messi’s football jerseys.

Fancy In Pink: Flawless diamond rings supreme

The largest fancy intense pink internally flawless diamond ever to appear at auction set pulses racing at Christie’s in Hong Kong. ‘The Pink Supreme’ took centre stage at a series of sales spanning more than 110 lots of magnificent jewels. While an array of coloured and colourless diamonds and gemstones and other superb creations emanating from prestigious jewellery houses came under the hammer, it was this 15.48-carat fancy intense pink cushion brilliant-cut diamond ring which shone the brightest. It fetched HK$83.87 million (US$10.8 million), representing a price per carat of HK$5.41 million (US$700,000).

The Pink Supreme diamond is considered a true rarity. The phenomenal and unparalleled beauty, size, internally flawless grading and splendid craftsmanship of this stone have combined to produce a bejewelled masterpiece coveted by collectors.

Vickie Sek, Chairman of Jewellery at Christie’s Asia Pacific, said: “We were truly delighted to showcase a diverse selection of magnificent jewels at our Hong Kong 2023 Autumn Sales, and the superb result realised for The Pink Supreme is a testament to the unwavering market demand for this category.”

One To Watch: Likely singular timepiece clocks a fortune

A previously unknown and possibly unique Patek Philippe ref. 3974 Grand Complications wristwatch made a timely appearance at Phillips auction house in Hong Kong, generating much enthusiasm among watch admirers. Eventually selling for HK$14 million (US$1.8 million), the timepiece was part of a successful watch auction in which a total of 208 lots were sold, reaching an overall value of HK$181.7 million.

This Patek Phillippe ref. 3974 minute repeater perpetual calendar watch in platinum (possibly manufactured in or around the year 2001) went to a bidder for well above the pre-sale low-end estimate. Indeed, the auction showed strong sales performances for many of the lots and attracted more than 1,700 collectors participating from 61 countries and regions.

Thomas Perazzi, Phillips’ Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches in Asia, said: “The top 10 lots beautifully demonstrate how varied the market is with the Patek Philippe ref. 3974 in platinum flying way above its pre-sale estimate, while a Rolex ‘Stelline’ ref. 6062 in yellow gold achieved 40% more than its previous sold price at auction, and a number of independents established strong results.”

Autumn Glow: Yosemite colours make a splash

Works by Zhang Daqian are eagerly awaited by the auction community and when a masterpiece of splashed-ink art made its way onto the block in Hong Kong, the final price of HK$199.37 million (US$25.6 million) did not disappoint. Indeed, such was the anticipation in the runup to the sale of Autumn Mountains in Twilight that Sotheby’s bestowed upon it the highest estimate ever for a splashed-ink-and-colour landscape by the artist.

Born in Sichuan in 1899, Zhang had turned to bold abstract artistic representations in the later part of his career when his eyesight began to falter. The roving and prolific Chinese artist was inspired to paint Autumn Mountains in Twilight after a visit to Yosemite National Park in California during the summer of 1967, and in this work, his mastery of the medium is seen to reach new heights.

It was a sentimental journey as his brother had stopped at the park years previously and a treasured photograph he had been given from this visit had been lost in a fire. The sheer magnificence of the sunset views of Half Dome or El Capitan stirred Zhang’s creative juices, and returning to his home in Brazil he set to work. The golden hues of the cliffs and valleys cover almost the entire canvas.

Messi Magic: Six shirts score the lot

Half a dozen football jerseys worn by Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup have been auctioned for an incredible US$7.8 million. Held by Sotheby’s in New York, the sale sparked intense interest from lovers of sporting memorabilia and the final price was the highest achieved by a sports item at auction last year. It also surpassed the previous record for a Messi collectible – a shirt worn at the 2017 El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona that went for $450,000 in 2022.

Messi wore the six World Cup shirts during the first half of the final, semi-final, quarter-final, round of 16 and two of the group stage matches at the Qatar tournament, where the spotlight was trained upon him throughout. His country’s victory in the epic final with France merely cemented a widely considered reputation that he is the greatest footballer of all time.

“These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports, but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles.

Discover the most incredible auction items that broke records with their jaw-dropping prices

Four items that particularly stood out at this season’s auctions include an 11.28-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring, a zitan ‘dragon’ compound cabinet, Sam Josefowitz’s masterpiece and Francois-Xavier Lalanne’s art. See how each attracted ground-breaking bids.

Brilliant Blue

Infinitely irresistible diamond ring

A superb 11.28-carat radiant-cut fancy vivid blue diamond set the auction house buzzing with its dazzling elegance, notching up one of the highest prices ever achieved for a diamond in Asia. The prized lot at Sotheby’s Hong Kong 50th Anniversary Autumn Sales fetched HK$198.2 million (US$25.3 million), with the house securing the three best-ever sales prices in Asia for blue diamonds – this one coming in third.

Praise for The Infinite Blue diamond, mounted in a diamond ring with brilliant-cut white and pink-tinged diamonds, was effusive, with Wenhao Yu, Chairman of Jewellery and Watches at Sotheby’s Asia, commenting: “[Its] beautiful blue hue, elegant cut and unique physical properties make it one of the most irresistible diamonds to appear on the market. It’s been an honour to have been entrusted with the opportunity to offer a diamond of such breathtaking beauty, its price attesting to the resilient demand for top-quality coloured diamonds amongst global collectors.”

Undoubtedly, part of the appeal of this magnificent diamond stems from its rarity, with less than 0.1% of diamonds sourced exhibiting a high-grade blue.

Household of the Blue Dragon

Emperor’s cabinet commands sky-high price

A massive zitan ‘dragon’ compound cabinet likely used by the Kangxi Emperor (1654-1722) attracted a dramatic two- way bidding war between a collector on the phone and an admiring fan at Sotheby’s auction house in Hong Kong. This superb example of early Imperial Qing furniture, which stands at a massive 3.7 metres high, finally went for HK$54.6 million (US$7 million).

The cabinet is infused with imagery carved into the silky zitan wood that adds to its allure. Dragons soar through the clouds in a display of symbolism that had deep meaning at the time, signifying imperial presence and power. Such is the quality of the workmanship displayed on the cabinet that only the most skilled artisans from one of the palace workshops under the command of the emperor’s household would have been tasked with the job.

Another reason for the impressive price – and the ferocious bidding – is that this sale represents the first time since at least the early 1940s that all components of the cabinet have been sold as one unit. The top left- and right-hand compartments had earlier been separated from the main body of this majestic piece and possibly passed inside the members of the same French family.

Quiet Reverie

Fauvist sensual embrace woos collectors

A strikingly colourful masterpiece from the art collection of the late tycoon Sam Josefowitz caught the eye at Christie’s auction house in London. Following frenzied bidding, the final price of Kees van Dongen’s La Quiétude was inflated to an astonishing £10.78 million (HK$102.3 million). This represented over twice the higher end of the estimate, such was the interest amongst enthralled onlookers in this oil on canvas laid down in 1918.

La Quiétude hit the block during Christie’s evening sales of 20th and 21st-century art in London, part of contemporary art fair Frieze Week. Typical of the Dutch-French artist’s Fauvist use of colour, the work was influenced by a 1913 visit to Egypt, where Van Dongen travelled down the Nile to Luxor and was struck by a sculpture of Ramesses II. Orientalism was in vogue, and the imagery of curvaceous bodies locked in perfect harmony draws on the erotism evoked in the Western mind at this time by the culture and civilisation of North Africa and the Middle East.

Dongen developed a great admiration for fashion designer Paul Poiret, who acquired La Quiétude direclty from Dongen.

Rare Beast

Lalanne sculpture smashes records

François-Xavier Lalanne’s masterpiece, Rhinocrétaire I, broke the world auction record for the artist at a recent sale by Christie’s in Paris. The eventual price of the almost life-size rhino sculpture-cum-functional furniture rose to €18.3 million (about HK$151 million), doubling the previous sum paid for a work by the artist.

François-Xavier Lalanne first exhibited this 1964 sculptural work in the presence of his partner and fellow artist, Claude Lalanne, at an exhibition called Zoophites. Made of patinated brass and bronze, zinc, brass, silvered brass, leather and natural wax, Rhinocrétaire I was considered by many as the standout item on display. Part of its charm is a homage to the fondness in 18th-century France for discreet drawers and hiding places. For instance, the beast’s hand-welded brass flanks contain a hidden safe as well as an illuminated desk.

Such was the enormity of the sale that the auctioneer, Cécile Verdier, Chairman of Christie’s France, commented: “A historic moment in Paris for this unique piece, which establishes François- Xavier Lalanne as one of the great sculptors of the second half of the 20th century.”

Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales

Four breathtaking slots that wowed bidders at recent auctions are highlighted. These include a gorgeous vivid coloured diamond, a beautiful gilt-bronze monkey, a fantastic Ferrari and a landscape masterpiece.

Blue Beauty: Vivid coloured diamond takes bidders’ fancy

A famous blue diamond worn at the 2023 Met Gala by actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas instigated an intense bidding war at Sotheby’s, propelling the final price to balloon above US$25 million (HK$196 million). Laguna Blu, a rare pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond of 11.16 carats, had headlined a Bulgari high-jewellery necklace at the gala, but it was auctioned in Geneva as the original ring designed by the Italian jeweller in 1979, set between tapered baguette diamond shoulders.

The exceptional value of a vivid blue diamond reflects, in part, the extraordinary circumstances of their creation. These stones are formed deep below the earth’s mantle, and the disturbance of the crystal lattice is critical in determining their colour. Any traces of boron within the pure carbon structure of the diamond will result in varying shades of blue – enough boron in the stone and the diamond attains the highly prized ‘vivid’ category. Less than 1% of stones achieve this colour, and fewer still have no tint of another colour as coloured diamonds often show some kind of tint of another colour. The price the diamond achieved at auction is an indication of its rareness.

Bronze Prize: Million-pound monkey sitting pretty

A beautiful gilt-bronze monkey by François-Xavier Lalanne fetched £1.25 million (about HK$12.3 million) at auction in London with bidders stirred by the rare opportunity to obtain one of the French sculptor’s iconic animals. Singe Alternatif SIII was created in 2007, a year before Lalanne’s death, and was one of two Singe (Monkey) figures up for auction at Christie’s – his Singe Alternatif SIV realised just over £1 million.

Animal motifs were integral to Lalanne’s art and formed a substantial part of his oeuvre. Their symbolism captivated him, and he was particularly enamoured with the sheep and the monkey, which he would depict far from their natural habitats. His Singes, smiling serenely, sit atop tables and mantelpieces.

Lalanne developed a love for sculpture as a young man when, as a security guard at the Louvre, he would wander the Antiquities galleries and study the statuary of Ancient Egypt. It was from works like The Seated Scribe and Toth as a Baboon that he gained knowledge and inspiration which undoubtedly shaped his sculptural vocabulary. Only two gilt-bronze pairs of Singes have previously been offered at auction, once in 2020 and again in 2022.

Street Art: Camden crescent masterpiece a big hit

A new auction record for a work by figurative painter Frank Auerbach was set at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary evening sale in London. Mornington Crescent sold for £5.6 million (about HK$55 million), comfortably surpassing its high estimate of £4.5 million.

Painted in 1969, Mornington Crescent is considered one of Auerbach’s most epic and ambitious landscape works. At 101.4 cm by 152 cm, it is also one of his largest and is firmly rooted in both a geographical and psychological sense of place – in this case, the street in Camden, north London, where the artist has his studio. Scaffold-like bars of paint form rigid structures dramatically conveying a recreated image of the urban environment.

The 92-year-old Berlin-born British painter had a good evening at the ‘Britain’s Visionaries’ auction. All three of his works up for grabs exceeded their estimates: besides the lively bidding that Mornington Crescent sparked, E.O.W. on her Blue Eiderdown VII fetched £4.5 million and J.Y.M. Seated II went for £1.1 million. He has long been fascinated by the subject of Mornington Crescent and the housing developments which started in the 1820s.

Horse Power: Rare Ferrari races to auction record

The sale of a 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta was a major coup for Bonhams Cars, notching up a whopping US$30.25 million (about HK$237 million). About 1,000 people jostled in the Quail Lodge & Golf Club grounds in Carmel, California, for the best view of a racing car that became the fourth most valuable Ferrari sold at auction and raked in the highest-ever price for Bonhams’ motoring division.

Part of its appeal was undoubtedly its rarity – only two 412Ps were built from scratch. Furthermore, a nine-year-long renovation project restored this beautiful vehicle to its original glory so it could hit the open road. “Thanks to its devoted lineage of owners and the stewardship of its seller, the 412P stands as an enduring piece of art that honours the Ferrari legacy,” commented Bonhams specialist Rupert Banner.

The car has a strong racing history, roaring to third-place finishes in 1967 at Le Mans and the 1000 km of Spa, and seventh spot at Brands Hatch. The following year, it triumphed at the Norisring Nuremberg 200, Solituderennen and Swedish Grand Prix. The car comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and 4-wheel disc brakes.

Discover the most incredible auction items that broke records with their jaw-dropping prices

From a portrait painting that was discovered around the time of the painter’s death to a magnificent ruby that was mined from Mozambique last year, many highly valuable items were auctioned off. The four items that particularly stood out at this season’s auctions include the 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura, Gustave Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer, Tipu Sultan’s bedchamber sword and Antonio Canova’s Bust of Helen. Get to know how each attracted ground-breaking bids for being a unique masterpiece.

Red Light

Huge Mozambique ruby outshines all

A magnificent ruby unearthed in Mozambique last year has surpassed the world record for its type of precious stone – or indeed any coloured gem – sold at auction. The 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura, the largest gem-quality ruby in existence, stirred up frenzied interest from collectors ahead of its highly anticipated appearance at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York. The eventual selling price reached an astonishing US$34.8 million, surpassing the previous record of US$30.3 million held by Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese stone auctioned in 2015.

Discovered as a 101-carat rough, Estrela de Fura was cut and faceted by a team of artisans who transformed it into a beautiful cushion-shaped ruby of outstanding clarity and vivid red hue. Rich in chromium, it radiates a fiery red fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. Since traditionally Myanmar (Burma) has been the birthplace of spectacular rubies, the Swiss Gemmological Institute singled it out for particular praise. It stated: “A natural ruby from Mozambique of this size and quality can be considered very rare and thus an exceptional treasure of nature.”

Lady Luck

Hong Konger clinches Klimt’s final portrait

An amazing bidding war during Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction in London for a work of art found at the time of the artist’s death has resulted in a new European record. The painting by Gustave Klimt, entitled Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan), set the auction house abuzz and a four-way battle for the masterpiece ensued, pushing up the prized lot to £85.3 million (HK$850.5 million). The triumphant bid – by a Hong Kong collector – also achieved a record price for the artist and the second highest ever paid for a portrait at auction.

Klimt’s female portraits have taken their place among the iconic images of modern art. Lady with a Fan dates from 1917-18 and represented a new approach to colour and form for the Austrian, combining rich patterns and oriental motifs with the delicate and luminous touch of an artist at the height of his powers. Prior to this final portrait – Klimt died in 1918 – he had earned a reputation for his erotic representations of women.

“Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan) is an absolute testament to Klimt’s artistic genius,” said Helena Newman, Auctioneer and Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe.

Prize of the Tiger

Sultan’s sword slashes sale estimate

A bedchamber sword that belonged to Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysore’, has slashed its way into the record books at Bonhams, selling for a whopping £14 million (HK$142.45 million) after ferocious bidding. This is the highest price achieved at auction by an Islamic and Indian object and the best ever for a sword. It also represented a huge markup on the estimate of up to £2 million.

The masterpiece of late 18th-century Indian manufacture was part of Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art sale in London. Dubbed ‘The Bedchamber Sword’, it has huge historical significance as an emblem of the Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767- 1799). Tipu Sultan – the Muslim ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in south India – was long a thorn in the side of the British East India Company. After he was killed during the siege of his stronghold, Seringapatam, in 1799, the sword was discovered in his private apartments and became symbolic of the transfer of power. An English inscription on the blade explains how it was found and presented to the leader of the conquering Company army, Major-General David Baird.

Immortal Beauty

Helen of Troy bust wows bidders

A magnificent marble bust emanating from Greek mythology has gone for £3.55 million (HK$36 million) at auction. Sold during Christie’s Old Masters sale in London, Bust of Helen attracted fierce bidding. Carved by Antonio Canova in Venice from 1816-17, the beautiful head of Helen of Troy was on the auction block for the first time in its history.

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) is deemed a titan of neo-classical sculpture, and his marble carving of Helen is a classic example of his ability to portray exquisite beauty with remarkable realism. The bust was gifted to British aristocrat Robert Castlereagh in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of works of art to Italy after the Napoleonic Wars, imbuing the piece with added historical significance. When Byron gazed at the smooth white surface of Canova’s first Bust of Helen, created some five years previously, he was inspired to write a poem ending in the line, “Behold the Helen of the Heart!”

Donald Johnston, Christie’s International Head of Sculpture, noted: “There has been increased interest in neo-classical marbles over the last five to eight years.”

Writing in style: Discover the most ultra-luxurious pens with exquisite craftsmanship

Pens were once a mere tool for writing but now they have come a long way and earned themselves the status of luxury. Today’s pens are not just writing instruments, they are pieces of art, status symbols, and collectables. Whether it’s adorned with jewels, made from rare materials, or crafted using state-of-the-art techniques, pens have become a reflection of the owner’s wealth and prestige, and the manufacturer’s skill and craftsmanship. So, here is a rundown of some of the most expensive pens in the world. Explore what sets them apart from the rest.

Fulgor Nocturnus by Tibaldi – HK$62.7 million

Even being one in a billion may not be enough chance to own this extremely coveted and super expensive fountain pen because there is only one Fulgor Nocturnus pen that was ever made by the Italian stationery brand Tibaldi. Sold at the 2010 National Charity Ceremony in Shanghai for US$8 million, the pen’s rareness was not the only reason, the bids reached such skyrocketing prices. Tibaldi’s Fulgor Nocturnus is ingeniously constructed with the pen following the golden ratio of phi, as in when it is closed, the ratio between the pen cap and the bottom half of the pen is 1.618. To add to it, the pen is coated with 945 black diamonds; has 123 rubies on its rim; and has a golden nib.

A Celebration of the Taj Mahal by Montblanc – HK$15.7 million

Montblanc’s annual High Artistry collection is always as epic as its theme, and the luxury brand chose to pay tribute to the Taj Mahal in the 2019 edition. The resulting limited edition collection consisting of three variations – Black Myth, Insignia of Power and the Tear of the Moon – takes strong design inspiration from the Mughal Empire. The caps look like the dome of the Taj Mahal and have peacock feathers – a common design motif of Shah Jahan’s times – carved on them. Also, the pen is shaped quite like the daggers used during the period. Each rendition is different from the others as they are embellished with varying gemstones. For instance, the Insignia of Power is decorated with diamonds and rubies; the Tear of the Moon has emeralds; and the Black Myth has a detachable opal stone.

Boheme Royal Pen by Montblanc – HK$11.8 million

Speaking of luxury stationeries and the Hamburg-based mark Montblanc is probably the first brand that pops into most people’s minds, that is because it has manufactured some of the most iconic pens in the world like this one-of-a-kind Boheme Royal Pen. The base of the pen is made of 18-carat gold with one version coated entirety with 1,430 pieces of white diamonds and the other having a mix of white and black diamonds. Moreover, the nib of this stylus pen is interchangeable and the cartridge can be changed too, making the exorbitant writing instrument a one-time investment. The Boheme Royal Pen’s lavishness is further elevated by the 18k white gold and diamonds-encrusted Montblanc logo.

1010 Diamond Edition by Caran D’Ache – HK$10 million

As a pioneering stationary brand established in Geneva in the early 1900s, the Swiss brand Caran D’Ache has continued to create and patent exceptional pens thus getting its reputation as the top-tier brand for luxury writing tools in Switzerland. In line with such prominence, Caran D’Ache is the producer of many great pens, among which this 1010 Diamond Edition is certainly a standout because it is made with white gold and encrusted with more than 800 pure diamonds. The handmade nib is also truly a piece of art as it is made of 18-carat gold with rhodium coating and is complete with intricate designs.