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.

Top-selling collectibles: The hottest auction highlights of this spring

Many valuable articles were auctioned during the recent Spring auctions and though every single object was unique in its own way, four items certainly stood out and impressed the bidders the most, thus achieving jaw-dropping hammer prices. Check out the latest roundup of auction lots that made history and the interesting stories associated with each of them.

Flawless Fancy

3 rings hold collectors in spell

A trio of flawless pear-shaped coloured diamonds fetched a combined total of HK$132 million (US$17 million) at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Spring Auction. Dazzling at the centre of three exquisite rings, they captivated the audience and ignited fervent bidding for more than 15 minutes.

The sale was led by a breathtaking 4.83-carat fancy vivid blue internally flawless diamond ring, for which an anonymous bidder paid an astonishing US$8.84 million. This extraordinary natural blue diamond is considered a symbol of wisdom, truth and devotion, and its exceptional rarity and vivid blue hue place it in a league of its own. The internally flawless designation emphasises the stone’s remarkable clarity and further enhanced its allure to excited bidders.

Besides this triumvirate of spellbinding coloured diamonds, Vickie Sek, Chairman of Jewellery at Christie’s Asia Pacific, was thrilled by the auction’s overall success. “Our Magnificent Jewels sale received an excellent response from collectors for the diverse selection of exquisite colourless and coloured diamonds and gemstones presented, with almost half of these lots selling above their high estimates,” she said.

Dragon High

Qianlong moonflask shines at auction

An extremely rare Qianlong moonflask was the highlight of Christie’s ‘The Imperial Palette – Three Qianlong Treasures’ auction held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Bidders were impressed by this extraordinary Chinese craftsmanship such that the final sale price topped HK$108 million (US$13.8 million).

Marco Almeida, Head of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Christie’s Asia Pacific, expressed his enthusiasm for the fine porcelain collectible: “This magnificent and very rare Qianlong doucai moonflask embodies the superb artistry and craftsmanship of the Qianlong period [1736-1795]. The significant historical and cultural importance, rarity and outstanding quality of this work of art make it a true gem for collectors and enthusiasts alike.”

The circular body of the imposing flask is finely pencilled and enamelled on each side in iron-red, yellow, aubergine and shades of green. A green five-clawed dragon emerges from waves to confront an ascending dragon in iron-red amid cloud-scrolls and flames. The large rising dragon symbolises the Qianlong Emperor, while the smaller serpent represents the heir apparent.

Emperor’s Gift

Puyi wristwatch clocks world record

A watch of huge historical significance sparked frenzied bidding at a recent Phillips auction in Hong Kong. The Patek Philippe timepiece is the former property of the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Puyi, and sold for HK$48.85 million (US$6.26 million).

The sale of this rare Patek in platinum with moon phases, triple-date calendar and silvered dial had been much anticipated in the watch-buying community. Part of The Imperial Patek Philippe Sale, the wristwatch was subject to a bidding war by at least six collectors and was claimed after a considerable mark-up of HK$9 million on the final nod. The price is a record for the Ref. 69 Quiantieme Lune, as well as the highest achieved by a watch previously owned by an emperor.

The simple, clean silhouette and large unsigned crown express the aesthetics of Bauhaus and understated functionality, while the rose-gold ring, silvered dial and enamel Arabic numerals in a ‘roulette’ configuration underscore a supreme elegance. Purchased in 1937, the watch was kept in its original untouched condition and has a rich patina consistent with its age.

Le Mans Magic

Awesome Aston accelerates off auction block

A 2007 Aston Martin racing car has sold for 2.23 million euros (US$2.4 million) at an auction held by RM Sotheby’s. The DBR9 GT1 was one of 24 sports competition cars that lined up for the Le Mans Centenary sale.

First purchased by Gigawave Motorsport team founder Henry Barczynski, the car is thought to be one of just 18 DBR9 chassis constructed by Prodrive between 2005 and 2008. It subsequently had just two other owners, while among the professionals who have sat in the driving seat are Stefan Mücke, Darren Turner, Peter Kox and Tomáš Enge.

The Aston Martin notched up third-place finishes in both the 2008 Silverstone Tourist Trophy and 2008 24 Hours of Spa. Further success was achieved at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was third in the GT1 class and 22nd overall. The following year it secured four podium finishes in the FIA GT1 World Championship, winning in Beijing.

The successful bidder also received three spare sets of wheels, as well as the original Pectel/Pi electronics and all relevant operating and computer software materials.

Record-breaking bids: Auction items that fetched the highest figures

Fame and rareness are two of the repeating reasons for some items to fetch many millions at auction houses because these factors add significant value to the pieces. Four such creations that wowed ardent collectors recently include a rare and high-quality green jade bangle, a mystical animal sculpture by François-Xavier Lalanne, a renowned painting by Marsden Hartley and a vintage Chrysler car.

Bangle FLAME

One-of-a-kind jadeite bangle shines

A magnificent bangle carved from full green jadeite was sold for HK$60 million by Poly Auction recently. Wowing bidders at the Magnificent Jewels and Important Watches Sale in Hong Kong, the cylindrical jewel represented a new high for the jadeite bangle category.

Encircling the wrist, the deep green hue of this beautiful gemstone is reminiscent of clear water, highlighting nobility and elegance. Jadeite is a natural mineral, and finding a whole piece of high-quality green jade is incredibly challenging. This particular bangle features precious old pit jadeite and the intricate natural patterns inside the jade exude a unique and primitive beauty. For many jadeite collectors, owning a full green, high-quality jadeite bangle is undoubtedly a dream coming true.

According to Fung Chiang, Head of Magnificent Jewels and Important Watches at Poly Auction Hong Kong, the headline lot is one of a kind in the market. “This extraordinary result solidifies its superior market position, reaffirming the timeless collection value and impeccable charms of jadeite,” he says. Total sales at the auction fetched nearly HK$108 million.

Also Read: All About Jadeite: A Symbol of Wealth and Status

Animal MAGIC

Surreal animal figure woos buyers

An enchanting animal sculpture by François-Xavier Lalanne struck a chord with buyers at an auction held by Phillips in London. The mythical Grand Bouquetin (1999), a majestic Alpine ibex, roamed far above its estimate to reach a peak price of £1,112,800 (US$1,389,000).

The late French artist is considered one of the most important animalier sculptors of the Western world. His animals are often imbued with a touch of fantasy and have captivated collectors for decades. “There are hundreds of years of animal representation encompassed in the Grand Bouquetin,” says Elie Massaoutis, Head of Design at Phillips, France. “If you look at the almond-shaped eyes, it is reminiscent of the Egyptian sculptures. And then you suddenly have his mouth, which is just a simple horizontal line, which is almost invisible. What I like is that there is a real alertness.”

He adds: “The Grand Bouquetin is very representative of François-Xavier Lalanne. Phillips’ recent auction results for 20th-century French design demonstrate the unwavering strength of the market and [Lalanne’s] enduring appeal.”

Bathing BLISS

Beach masterpiece reaches tidy sum

A famous painting by Marsden Hartley fetched US$1,865,000 when auctioned as part of Christie’s sale of Modern American Masterworks from the Ted Shen Collection. Combining powerful figural compositions with dynamic seascape, On the Beach (1940-41) is a masterful example of maturity from Hartley’s later career. The Maine-born artist, who died in 1943, refined and reengaged with styles and forms of expression throughout his life – a trait which earned him a legacy as one of the foremost American modernists.

Some scholars believe Hartley’s late figurative paintings of male bodies to be related to his own homosexuality. However, On the Beach is unique within this category due to his addition of a female figure – a motif possibly employed to make his painting more accessible to a wider audience.

Talking of the sale of his collection, musical theatre composer and former investment banker Ted Shen says: “I am grateful that my collecting enabled me to discover the beauty and greatness of the American modernists’ work and to understand their contribution to the evolution of art [in the US].”

Chrysler CLASS

Classic roadster roars into record books

Perhaps among the most beautiful American automobiles of the classic era, a bespoke 1932 Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Roadster recently sold for a whopping US$1.6 million, setting a record price for the marque. The auction of the Estate of Mark Smith conducted by Gooding & Company also set two other world records.

Garaged by five known caretakers over nine decades, the car was largely in its original condition albeit with some distinctive period modifications. The first owner, Philadelphia otolaryngologist William Whelan, had steadily fine-tuned its appearance to suit his taste. This incredibly sleek, tapered look reminiscent of the 1928–1929 Auburn Speedsters, with performance to match, has since been preserved in the same patinated condition.

The technical specifications of the vehicle include a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, front solid axle and rear live axle, both with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Sympathetic improvements included the replacement of the deteriorated front seat upholstery with distressed leather.

Also Read: The Great car clubs of Hong Kong