Footballer pays HK$9.9 million for custom-made car keys

When you’re ranked among the world’s best and most bankable footballers, skimping on gifts for friends and teammates simply isn’t an option. David Luiz, who plays for English club Chelsea, treated his teammates to custom-made car keys worth a combined total of £1million (HK$9.9 million) after they won the Premier League. Far from ordinary, these diamond-encrusted supercar keys can be worn like bracelets, and they sync up with a number of luxury car brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bugatti.
The UK-based company, Senturion, claims to be “the world’s first and only creator of ultra-luxury wristwear pieces” that synchronise with supercars. One of its models, the Emperor, features handcrafted rose gold, black diamonds, leather and titanium. It’s limited to just seven pieces in the world, practically guaranteeing that you won’t bump into anyone else with the same one. In fact, the brand calculates that only one in a billion people is a Senturion owner. Most impressively, pieces from the brand’s Meteorite Edition are forged from a 4-billion-year-old meteorite, and no two pieces in the collection are the same. It was one of these models that Luiz gifted to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – a surefire way to get on the boss’s good side.

Emperor’s Old Watch: Royal Rolex breaks record

Rolex is a name synonymous with luxury, but that reputation didn’t make it any less surprising when the brand’s Bao Dai wristwatch sold for US$5 million (HK$39 million). The recent sale cemented the rare Rolex’s position as the most expensive watch ever sold, and for good reason: it had a royal owner. Emperor Bao Dai, whose name means “keeper of greatness”, was the last emperor of Vietnam. In 1954, during talks in Switzerland with world leaders to negotiate with the Viet Minh over Vietnam’s future, Emperor Bao Dai broke away from the meeting and popped into a Rolex shop.

He wasn’t willing to accept any old watch from the showroom, though. Instead, he asked staff members to fetch the rarest and most precious Rolex ever made. A clerk was dispatched from Rolex’s workshops on the outskirts of Geneva, bringing with him a rare timepiece: the Rolex reference 6062 in yellow gold. Only three models of this watch are known to exist, but the Bao Dai is the only one with diamond markers on the even hours. The watch is so sought after that it prompted an eight minute bidding war between 13 bidders at a recent Phillips auction. The lucky buyer probably doesn’t boast any royal blood, but he still gets to become a “keeper of greatness” in his own right.

Sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein sells for HK$80.5 million at auction

American artist Roy Lichtenstein’s work is widely recognised for its characteristic pop art style and comic strip-inspired motifs.

During his hey-day in the 1960s, he used tiny dots – similar to the Ben Day dots that were once used in comics, but more exaggerated – to give his characters shading and dimension. The technique quickly became one of his hallmarks, and those iconic red dots can be seen in one of the latest Lichtenstein pieces to head to the auction block. The sculpture, Woman: Sunlight, Moonlight, sold for US$10.3 million (HK$80.5 million) at Phillips auction house in New York on 18 May.

Woman: Sunlight, Moonlight was created in 1996, just a year before Lichtenstein died of pneumonia in New York City. It is also considered to be one of the finest works of his career. At more than three feet tall (nearly one metre), the bust is quite the head-turner, especially when placed in an otherwise drab room. It’s double-sided and shows a unique image of a woman on each side.

Lichtenstein frequently portrayed – and parodied – stereotypically masculine and feminine roles as they were depicted in comics.

The artist once said, “I’m interested in what would normally be considered the worst aspects of commercial art.” Indeed, that is the stuff that good art is made of.

French Belle Epoque exhibition held in Hong Kong

As part of the ongoing Le French May celebrations, an exhibition titled French Belle Epoque was held in Hong Kong recently, where French masterpieces from the 19^th century were put on display. The La Belle Epoque period, which literally means “a beautiful era”, was a period of peace and culture in France between the Prussian War of 1871 and World War I in 1914.

Renowned collector Sandrine Souchon displayed her private collection of rare 19^th-century decorative masterpieces by famous French maisons. One notable feature is that most of the artefacts are studded with malachite, crystal or lapis lazuli, which seem to have been the favoured gems of the Belle Epoque period.

Souchon has been an avid art collector and aficionado for over three decades. Her collection boasts monumental sculptures, rare furniture and unique artworks from across the world.

The exhibition was visited by art connoisseurs like Diana Zhang, William and Priscilla Chak, Robert and Sally Lo, French designer Zhor Tiber, Hong Kong Cancer Fund founder Peter Matthewson and Le French May organisers Julian-Loic Garin and Andrew Yuen.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Deco-dent Gems

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

Jackie Collins, the late British-American romance author and sister of silver screen starlet Joan Collins, knew a thing or two about style. Dubbed the “queen of the ‘bonkbuster’” for her steamy and sometimes salacious novels, she was famed not only for her page-turning plots, but also for her flashy taste in fashion. Her go-to get-up often comprised leopard-print pieces, chunky jewellery and a blazer.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

She also had a penchant for all things Art Deco. Many of her vintage 1920s and 30s pieces – artworks and jewellery alike – were sold as part of a Bonhams’ auction on 16 May. Three pieces of Art Deco jewellery, including a bracelet, brooch and necklace, were plucked up for US$161,250 (HK$1.26 million). One of the three pieces, a diamond emerald and platinum necklace, sold for US$56,250 alone. The jagged, geometric pattern of the necklace is softened by a dazzling array of diamonds – 44 carats in total. The brooch, which is French in origin, boasts a Colombian emerald surrounded by round, half-moon, square step and baguette-cut diamonds, and some more square calibré-cut emeralds. After Jackie’s death from breast cancer in 2015, her sister said in a tribute, “Wherever you are, my darling sister, you deserve a red carpet and a throne.” We hope she’s right and imagine that it’s a leopard-print throne, encrusted with jewels.

Hearts a-Flutter: A gown to make sparks fly

Butterflies, dragonflies and diamonds, oh my! This wedding gown is not ideal for the bride with simple tastes or modest means. At US$1.6 million (HK$12.5 million), this creation by bridal designer Reem Acra is considered to be the most expensive wedding dress on the planet. Created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co., the gown’s hefty price tag can partly be chalked up to the butterfly and dragonfly brooches and Tiffany drop earrings adorning the bodice and skirt, which in total boast 165 carats worth of diamonds and 62 carats of gemstones. This fluffy princess gown is classically white, but upon closer inspection, hints of baby blue, pale pink and yellow can also be seen on the butterflies’ shimmering wings. It was just one of the dresses from Acra’s Spring 2018 collection, which was presented at Tiffany’s flagship store on 5th Avenue, New York City.

“Today we celebrate the glamour of a woman, and empowering women. All of this is really inspired by the Tiffany’s woman,” Acra said at the show. “It’s a woman that’s empowered, sexy, powerful, you name it. Who doesn’t want to look like this?” Indeed, most brides want to look like a million bucks on their big day – but shelling out that much on a dress is another story.

Preview: The top lots at Phillips’ upcoming art, jewellery auctions

Phillips auction house will hold two auctions on 28 May: the “Warhol in China” photography auction at 6 pm and the “20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design Evening Sale” at 7pm.

Rolling right through the weekend, Phillips will host the “Exceptional Jewels and Jadeite” auction on 29 May at 2:30pm, and the “Hong Kong Watch Auction: Four” on 30 May at 1pm and 6pm. All auctions will be held at the Mandarin Oriental.

Altogether, Phillips will be bringing the hammer down on over 200 lots. Here are just a few of the highlights to watch out for.

Andy Warhol photography collection

American artist Andy Warhol is well-known for his pop art paintings and drawings, but few knew he also took photos. A rare collection of 200 photographs that he snapped in China and Hong Kong during a 1982 trip will go under the hammer, with estimates starting at HK$80,000. According to Jonathan Crockett, deputy chairman of Phillips Asia, “These candid shots are dynamic, exciting and fun but also weighty in their historical importance, as Warhol was able to immortalise China during a transitional phase in the country’s history.”

Last Warrior / The Unknown Soldier by Yoshitomo Nara

Valued at between HK$20 million and $30 million, this painting is the star lot of the contemporary art auction. The painting, considered to be Japanese Neo-Pop, depicts an ornery, doll-like girl on a monochrome backdrop. The image invites viewers to recall their youth and tap into their own defiant spirit.

Eating #4 by Zhang Enli

This oil on canvas painting is a masterful interpretation of human psychology. It is considered to be one of the best pieces from Enli’s Portrait series. Much of Enli’s work was inspired by German Expressionism, and he endeavoured to depict the inner struggles of ordinary people. The painting’s price estimate is HK$6 million – 8 million.

Miss Blanche chair by Shiro Kuramata

More than just furniture, this chair by Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata is a piece of art that is sure to spruce up any room. The transparent chair, designed in 1988, features artificial roses embedded in resin. Only 56 pieces were produced, and some can be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and M+ Museum in Hong Kong. Its price estimate is HK$2.2 million – 3 million.

Blessed Blossom ring

This ring, featuring a so-called Burmese pigeon blood ruby, is valued up to HK$20 million. The stunning, oval-shaped ruby – weighing 6.02 carats – is encased in a flower made up of diamonds. The crimson ruby, hailing from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar, is astonishing in colour. Its quality and size are both rare and highly coveted.

Secret Pink ring

There’s something about a pink diamond that’s just so irresistible. This ring boasts a 4.23-carat internally flawless, antique fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond. If that weren’t enough, there’s also a 1.39-carat fancy vivid pink diamond underneath the larger diamond. So really, you get two rare diamonds for the price of one–as long as you don’t mind forking over up to HK$55 million.

Patek Philippe Reference 3670 watch

This rare timepiece is one of several Patek Philippe models that will be up for grabs at the watch auction. This stainless steel model has an original 1950’s movement, and it’s one of the brand’s rarest serially produced modern watches. When it was first produced, it was designated an “application” watch, reserved for loyal VIP clients only. Its estimate is HK$4.5 million – 7 million.

Cartier watch

For ladies, this gem-encrusted “Tutti Frutti” watch is sure to be an attention-getter. Cartier first started using the Tutti Frutti design in 1901, embedding rubies, sapphires and emeralds into leaf designs and berry shapes. The Mughal-inspired design still remains en vogue to this day. Its estimate is HK$1.2 million – 1.6 million.

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Text: Emily Petsko

Bronze artefact sells for US$37.2 million

During China’s Shang Dynasty, the production of elaborate and beautiful bronze vessels was perfected and elevated to an art form. Unique shapes and detailed motifs characterise these guangs (ritual vessels) used for ancestral worship or special banquets. The allure of these regal receptacles remains stronger than ever. For evidence of their timeless appeal, look no further than from the late Shang Dynasty (13th-11th centuries BC), which sold for US$37.2 million during the auction house’s Asian Art Week. Not only was the price more than four times its pre-auction estimate, but it also set a new auction record for an archaic bronze piece.

The vessel is decorated with taotie (monster masks) – a characteristic design of the period in which a face is split down the centre, creating two profiles. It also features a number of mythical birds and kui dragons, some of which are curiously adorned with elephant trunks or hooked beaks. This fang zun-style vessel was just one of the highlights of Christie’s ‘Important Chinese Art from the Fujita Museum’ auction in New York. Another item, a rare bronze ritual wine vessel in the shape of a ram – also from the late Shang Dynasty – sold for a none-too-shabby US$27.1 million. The elaborately engraved ram is decorated with kui dragons, a taotie mask, crested birds and crouching tigers – a truly majestic sight.

Artful Dodger: Auction of a long-hidden artwork

A painting by renowned modern artist CY Twombly will finally see the light of day, after 25 years hidden away in a private collection. The distinctive graffiti-like work entitled Leda and the Swan – painted in 1962 – along with a sister painting will be offered at auction for the first time. The works will make up the star lot at an auction on 17 May, at Christie’s post-war and contemporary evening sale. Leda and the Swan, which has only had two owners in its history, has a pre-auction estimate range between US$35 million and US$55 million.

“Impregnated with paint passionately and poetically applied with the hand, brush and stick, Leda and the Swan is one of the most vital canvases created during this transformative period in the artist’s career,” said Koji Inoue, international director of the auction house’s contemporary department. “Given its tremendous importance within the context of both Twombly’s oeuvre and the canon of post-war art, we are honoured to offer this work to the market after nearly 30 clandestine years.”

If the estimates are anything to go by, the work could conceivably break the record for a Twombly work at auction. The current record price for a work by the American painter stands at US$70.5 million, set when Untitled (New York City), was sold in November 2015. The 1968 painting is one of Twombly’s famous ‘blackboard’ works.