The Bonhams Whisky Sale returns to Hong Kong with liquid gems from across the globe

Good news for whisky connoisseurs! The annual Bonhams Whisky Sale is taking place in Hong Kong on 17 August. Daniel Lam, Head of Fine Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong, says: “[This] is a wonderful opportunity to acquire the finest of Japanese whiskies and some of the most sought-after names in Scotch whisky such as Macallan, Port Ellen and Ardbeg.” A rare first edition of Yamazaki 50 years-old leads the Bonhams Whisky Sale. We round up some of the highlights from the sale:

A Yamazaki 50 years-old, estimated at HK$1,800,000-2,400,000, which was matured in casks made from Japanese oak before being released in 2005. Only 50 bottles have ever been produced, making it one of the scarcest of Japanese whiskies.

A bottle of Hibiki-Arita 35 years-old, estimated at HK$100,000-140,000, which was produced to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japan’s traditional porcelain production. Only 150 bottles were ever released.

Karuizawa Sumo Trio distilled in 1981, 1982 and 1983, estimated at HK$90,000-120,000, which were framed in a crafted humidor designed by Japanese woodblock illustrator Hachisuka Kuniaki. Only 340 sets were ever produced.

A bottle of 37 years-old Macallan Fine & Rare 1937, the second-oldest whisky from the Macallan Fine & Rare Series, estimated to fetch HK$ 260,000-320,000.

A vertical collection of annual releases from Port Ellen, an extremely sought-after lost distillery from Scotland. 17 bottles – from 2001 to 2017 – will be auctioned off for an estimated price of HK$280,000-360,000.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Lots of love: Bronzed statue of Indian goddess Parvati for sale

A little bit of long-lost Indian history finally resurfaced at Macey & Sons’ recent Antiquities auction in Hong Kong, when a solid bronze statue of Parvati, the Hindu fertility goddess, was expected to go for at least HK$850,000.

Dating back to the 13^th century during the late Chola-early Vijaynagar period, a time when bronze sculpting approached something of a pinnacle in India, the statue’s depiction of Parvati captures the very essence of this most worshipped of Hindu goddesses, with her conical crown recalling the country’s more mountainous landscapes, while her right hand is extended in her characteristic ‘flower-holding’ pose or mudra. Of all the divinities of the Hindu pantheon, she is among the highest-regarded, with her intervention as the goddess of love frequently beseeched by the faithful.

Standing 58cm tall and fashioned via a lost wax technique, the piece was almost certainly commissioned by one of the Chola monarchs, rulers known for their keen patronage of their arts. Many such tributes to the goddess Parvati are a common sight in majority of India’s Hindu temples to this very day.

Reflecting Light: Giacometti’s chandelier depicts the dark days of World War II

Alberto Giacometti, one of the most prominent sculptors of the 20th century, is best known for the haunting, stark qualities of his work. His most mature piece, Lustre avec femme, homme et oiseau, an elegant chandelier only ever produced in a limited edition of just three, recently came under the spotlight at Sotheby’s London, offering a rare chance to acquire one of his most admired pieces.

In the years following World War II, Giacometti found himself entirely overcome with a sense of isolation and loneliness. His sculptures, which were already stark to begin with, became ever more austere and basic, reflecting his take on human condition. This particular work – valued at around £6,000,000-8,000,000 – has long been seen as the apotheosis of his Post-War work.

Originally conceived in 1949, but not cast in bronze until 1952, the chandelier embodies the artist’s unique Post-War vision. Depicting a solitary woman in a cage and a man circling it, the artist set out to capture the pathos of an existential crisis, one where captivity and release are not simple binaries, with neither bringing true freedom.

Summarising the piece, Thomas Bompard, Head of Sotheby’s London Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sales, said: “This work represents a tangible coming together of visual arts, decoration and theatre.”