Rembrandt Portrait, Raphael Drawing Set Sale Records

Bloomberg News:
By Scott Reyburn

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- A portrait by Rembrandt sold for 20.2 million pounds ($32.9 million) at Christie’s International today in London, a record for the artist at auction. Less than an hour later, a Raphael drawing fetched 29.2 million pounds, the most paid for an Old Master drawing at a public sale.

The two works had the highest valuations on an Old Master painting and drawing, said the auction house. Valuations of a diminishing supply of Old Masters have shown little change and, for the rarest works, increased, said dealers. This contrasts with estimates for contemporary art, which have been slashed by as much as 50 percent after the financial crisis.

“Prices at auction are very strong because there isn’t much out there,” Johnny van Haeften, a London-based dealer, said in an interview. “People don’t want to sell at the moment. They’re saying, ‘If I let a painting go, where do I put the money? I’d rather keep it in a work of art.’”

Barbara Piasecka Johnson, the Johnson & Johnson heiress, was the seller of the 1658 “Portrait of a Man With Arms Akimbo” at Christie’s sale of Old Masters and 19th-century art, said dealers. The price for the Dutch artist exceeded the 19.8 million pounds paid by the late Maastricht-based dealer Robert Noortman for a portrait of an old woman at Christie’s, London, in 2000. That picture now belongs to the U.S.-based collector Eyk Van Otterloo.

The Rembrandt work that sold tonight, which had a low estimate of 18 million pounds, was bought by a single telephone bidder giving instructions to Paul Raison of Christie’s.

Black Chalk

The black-chalk study for the head of a muse in Raphael’s 1510-11 Vatican fresco “Parnassus” had been entered by the heirs of the British collector, Norman Colville, with a low estimate of 12 million pounds.

The record price for an Old Master drawing at auction was jointly held by Michelangelo’s “The Risen Christ” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Horse and Rider,” both of which fetched 8.1 million pounds with fees at Christie’s in July 2000 and July 2001 respectively

Audrey Hepburn Will Alawys Be Great

She will live forever.

Hepburn's dress takes nearly $100,000 at auction

(AP) – 5 hours ago

LONDON — The black cocktail dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in "How to Steal a Million" has sold for nearly $100,000 at auction.

Kerry Taylor Auctions says the Chantilly lace dress sold to an anonymous bidder for 60,000 pounds (about $97,700).

It was one of 40 items from Hepburn's wardrobe sold off by her friend Tanja Star-Busmann.

The auctioneer said Tuesday's sale made a total of 268,320 pounds. It says half of the net proceeds will go to The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

Some Fun Xmas Buys At Ragos Auction House - Results

Ragos Auction House in Lambertville, NJ is having an estate auction this December 5th. I went through their catalogue and found some very fun things that I for one would love to find under the Christmas Tree this year. We'll take a look afterward to see what they went for. Let's look shall we? Here's the entire catalogue.


William E. Skilling (American 1892-1964) "Zebra", oil on canvas (framed). Signed. 48" x 60" Provenance: Bucks County Estate"

$3,000 - $4,000
SOLD FOR $5,795.00. I love Zebras. He was kinda pricey.




Pair of Dresden exotic bird figurines, 19th C. Brightly colored, standing on branches. One marked Dresden. Tallest: 14 1/4"

$600 - $800
SOLD FOR $732.00. Nice looking on the right mantel.



Remember these? They didn't sell last time and I would so love to see them in person.
Fine pair of tortoiseshell chairs in the Regency style with horsehair upholstery, late 19th/early 20th C. 34" x 19 1/2" x...

$8,000 - $12,000
SOLD FOR $9,760.00. God I wanted to see them! Cheer's new owner.



So different for a shelf.
Spirit house, Thailand. Carved wood and gold leaf with ornate designs. Known as a spirit house or san phra phum, these small...

$200 - $400
SOLD FOR $153.00. Very fair very cute.



What great mantel pieces. I think they are just great looking.
Pair of Chinese cloisonne elephants, 19th/20th C. Facing in opposite directions as they stand at rest on supporting platforms,...

$4,000 - $6,000
THEY SOLD but the price reported was mistyped I'm sure so I'll go with $3,416.00. Pricey L'elephants.



Chinese tea cannister on a wrought iron base, 19th C. 58" x 21" dia."

$400 - $600
SOLD FOR $915.00. Such an interesting piece.



Horse portrait, 19th C. Oil on canvas (framed). 20" x 24"

$1,000 - $1,500
SOLD FOR $1,098.00. Very fair.



I can't say how much I love these. I've never seen anything like them.
Pair of figural sailboat andirons, 20th C. In full sail with flags waving. Wrought iron with sheet metal sails. 26"

Auction Date: Sat, December 05, 12PM

Estimate: $400 - $600
SOLD FOR $1,098.00. Not surprised. I'd love to have seen them in person.



Turn this into a lamp
English barrister wig in 19th C. Toleware box, the name Gardner S. Bazleye in gilt stenciling. Box: 11"

Auction Date: Sat, December 05, 12PM

Estimate: $500 - $700
SOLD FOR $1,037.00. A bit pricey.



French marble column clock, 19th C. Figural chariot figure on top, time and strike movement. 22"

Auction Date: Sat, December 05, 12PM

Estimate: $700 - $900
SOLD FOR $1,098.00

The Turner Prize 2009

Why do all the interesting art prizes seem to come out of the UK? I thought today's announced winner, Richard Wright, was a great choice though I'm saddened that the piece will be destroyed at the end of the exhibition.

The Turner Prize is a contemporary art award that was set up in 1984 to celebrate new developments in contemporary art.

The prize is awarded each year to a British artist under fifty for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding'

From Financial Times: "Richard Wright wins Turner prize

By Peter Aspden, Arts Correspondent

Published: December 7 2009 20:22 | Last updated: December 7 2009 20:22

Richard Wright, the Glasgow-based artist who paints abstract designs on to site-specific surfaces only for them to be destroyed at the end of their display, is the winner of this year’s Turner prize.

Mr Wright, who at 49 only just qualified for this year’s prize for the work of a British artist under the age of 50, was nominated for exhibitions of his painting at Pittsburgh and Edinburgh.

The judges praised the “profound originality and beauty” of his work. “[He] uses elaborate and labour-intensive methods to create transient works that respond directly to the architecture and context of a space,” they said. “Rooted in fine art tradition yet radically conceptual in impact, his works come alive as they are experienced by the viewer.”

Mr Wright was presented with the £25,000 prize at Tate Britain on Monday by Carol Ann Duffy, the Poet Laureate. The other finalists, Lucy Skaer, Enrico David and Roger Hiorns, received £5,000 each.

The choice to reward an essentially decorative painter will delight traditionalists, although the way in which Mr Wright works, painting on awkward or delicate surfaces that do not last, is decidedly contemporary. Mr Wright’s installation at Tate Britain’s current Turner prize show is a huge, untitled gold-leaf work which took three weeks to paint on one of the gallery’s walls. It will be destroyed at the end of the exhibition.

Mr Wright graduated from Glasgow School of Art and spent 12 years painting on canvas before giving up on his art in the 1980s. When he started again, he decided to display his work on unorthodox surfaces. “I wanted to get at the idea without the object getting in the way,” he said.

Influences on his highly labour-intensive, decorative work include medieval painting, gothic iconography and typography. In 2004, as part of a group show, he put up prints of his designs over torn posters and the graffiti-filled walls of Mexico City. “I wanted to make work that is part of everything else,” he said.

Mr Wright’s victory defied the bookies, who had strongly favoured Roger Hiorns. His installation “Seizure”, in which he pumped 75,000 litres of copper sulphate solution into a south London council flat to create a crystalline structure, has attracted thousands of visitors.

The Turner prize has lost some of its controversial edge in recent years. But Stephen Deuchar, the outgoing director of Tate Britain, said the annual exhibition of shortlisted artists’ work was as popular as ever, with last year’s show attracting more than 90,000 visitors."

That December Coupon at Kellogg

A Hidden Treasure. Through the month of December you can come in and ask for the December Coupon which is good for any full price in stock piece and get 25% off. Homer's tip of the day.


I'm happy to report that we were busy at the store over the Thanksgiving Weekend. The weather wasn't all that great and I've come to know that when Mom and Grandmom have had enough of the family they come to us for some Christmas ideas and a bit of shopping in the best store in DC.

Everyone worked hard to make the store look cheery and welcoming and I took these pics to show it off. We have lots of great gifts for Xmas parties and there is going to be a great sale this week for four days only. Come in and ask for Homer and I'll show you the secret deals.Enjoy and come on by!

Weschler's December Auction

There were some nice deals had at today's auction. Almost everything I picked sold for less then their estimates. It makes me think that the economy is still in the tank despite the media and administration saying we are coming out of these dark days. Results below.

There are some nice pieces for sale at Weschlers' Auction House here in Washington DC on their December 5th sale. With Santa on his way I personally prefer a gift from an auction house, since it requires just a small bit more effort to acquire. I also don't mind if that gift doesn't fit under the tree. Actually I prefer if it doesn't! I have thrown a few pieces of jewelry into my choices, for that hidden small box underneath the tree. Diamonds and pearls simply look silly on me!! Wait, I forgot about cufflinks.I might have to take another look. Anyway, lets take a look at a few items up for auction. The full catalogue can be seen here. I'll report back on what they sold for.


Lot 731
Otis Pierce Cook, Jr. (American 1900-1980)
Rockport Street Scene, Summer
Signed Otis Cook l.r.
Oil on canvas
20 x 24 in (50.8 x 61 cm)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
SOLD FOR $1,400.00. A Nice buy. I liked it.



Lot 672
Willy Brandes (German 1876-1956)
Bringing in the Cows
Signed W Brandes l.r.
Oil on panel
13-1/4 x 19-1/4 in (33.7 x 48.9 cm)
Estimate $800-1,200
SOLD FOR $500.00. Another nice buy.




Lot 631
Norwegian Rosewood Mobile Drinks Table
Rasmus & Solberg, Circa 1962
Having a circular half-hinged top opening to view a revolving gray plastic insert with twelve glass slots and two removable pie-shaped trays centering a cylindrical ice well. The interior with an applied gold foil label inscribed 1st PRIZE NORWEGIAN DESIGN/ COMPETITION 1962/ DES. RASTAD OG RELLING/ PROD. RASMUS SOLBERG.
Height: 18-1/2 in (47 cm); Diameter: 23-1/2 in (59.7 cm)
Estimate $500-700
SOLD FOR $300.00. I didn't see it to inspect it but thought it a fun piece. Hope the buyer loves it.




Lot 611
French Art Deco Chrome-Mounted Ébène-de-Macassar Two-Pedestal Desk
Circa 1930s
The right side with a pull-out leaf; each drawer fitted with a chrome-plated ball pull. Some repairs and cracking to veneer.
Height: 31 in (78.7 cm); Width: 55 in (139.7 cm); Depth: 31-1/4 in (79.4 cm)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
SOLD FOR $1,600.00. Again sold on the cheap. I think some deals were had.



Lot 602
Pair of Art Deco Style Bone Inlaid Ébène-de-Macassar Serpentine Consoles
Circa 1950s
Minor chips and restorations to veneer.
Height: 36 in (91.4 cm); Width: 36 in (91.4 cm); Depth: 15-1/4 in (38.7 cm)
Estimate $2,000-4,000
SOLD FOR $4,800.00. Great looking pieces for the right spot.




Lot 596
Pair of Belgian Art Deco Brass Mounted Ebonized Wood Nightstands
Design by De Coene Frères, Circa 1940s
En suite with preceding lot. Each panel door opening to view a birchwood veneered interior. One stamped on underside with encircled G.R. mark. Each with minor abrasions to the top.
Height: 21-3/4 in (55.2 cm); Width: 20 in (50.8 cm); Depth: 14 in (35.6 cm)
Estimate $800-1,200
SOLD FOR $1,100.00. A fair price.



Lot 593
French Art Deco Style Brass-Mounted Figured Walnut Escritoire
Circa 1960s
The slightly slanting, hinged writing lid opening to view a gilt and tooled tan leather writing surface beneath an arrangement of four pigeonholes, two stacked drawers and a small panel door with chrome-plated brass knob pulls above a single frieze drawer. The underside of case with applied brass tag impressed L III/ 5 88. Minor chips and abrasion to veneer.
Height: 39 in (99 cm); Width: 29 in (73.7 cm); Depth: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Estimate $800-1,200
DID NOT SELL



Lot 575
Antoine Vriens (Belgian 1902-1987)
Toilette
Signed Vriens and dated 1937
Bronze sculpture with dark brown patina
Height: 23 in (58.4 cm)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
SOLD FOR $1,800.00



Lot 574
Arthur Dupagne (Belgian 1895-1961)
Man on a Pirogue
Signed DUPAGNE
Bronze sculpture with dark brown patina raised on a green and black rectangular marble base
Height of sculpture: 14-1/4 in (36.2 cm)
Estimate $5,000-7,000
DID NOT SELL



Lot 547
Daum Ormolu Mounted Mottled Glass Plafonnier
First Quarter 20th Century
Having a domed, circular form composed of blue and green mottled glass fitted with three ormolu ram's head mounts. Unsigned.
Diameter: 22-1/2 in (57.2 cm)
Estimate $500-1,000
SOLD FOR $1,700.00. Loved that piece.



Lot 527
Murano Glass Vase
Signed Toso, Circa 1950s
Having a tapering clear glass form with controlled bubble decoration and applied vertical ribs. Inscribed TOSO/ MURANO.
Height: 13-1/4 in (33.7 cm)
Estimate $500-700
SOLD FOR $950.00




Lot 99
Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Floral Brooch
Set with twenty round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.70 carats, sixty-nine straight baguette-cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.25 carats, and thirteen pear-shaped graduated emeralds weighing approximately 3.25 carats.
Total weight of diamonds: 5.95 carats
Gross weight: 13.7 dwt.
Length: 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Width: 1-1/4 inches (3.2 cm)
Estimate $3,000-4,000
SOLD FOR $2,600.00




Lot 60
18-Karat Yellow-Gold, White-Gold, Diamond, Ruby and Black Enamel 'Panther' Pendant
The eyes set with two round faceted rubies weighing approximately .06 carats, the whiskers set with two round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately .02 carats, and the bail set with four round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately .05 carats.
Total weight of diamonds: .07 carats
Gross weight: 15 dwt.
Length: 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Width: 1-1/4 inches (3.2 cm)
Estimate $600-800
SOLD FOR $550.00

Hidden Treasure

By: Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Writer
ROME (AP).- Italian tax police said Saturday that they had seized works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne and other giants of art in a crackdown on assets hidden by the disgraced founder of the collapsed dairy company Parmalat.

Authorities estimated the 19 masterpieces stashed away in attics and basements were valued at some euro100 million ($150 million).

Parma Prosecutor Gerardo Laguardia said that, based on wiretapped phone conversations, officials believed at least one of the paintings hidden by Calisto Tanzi was about to be sold.

"We got lucky. We learned that there were negotiations under way to sell one of the paintings" and raid three apartments in the area of Parma, near Parmalat's headquarters, Laguardia said in an interview on Italy's Sky TG24 TV. He didn't identify the painting.

Bologna-based tax Police Col. Piero Iovino told The Associated Press by telephone that investigators believed the entire batch of paintings, watercolors and drawings were up to be sold. The prospective buyer was a Russian, possibly living in Italy, Iovino said.

No arrests were announced as part of the art seizure.

Tax police said Parma prosecutors are opening a probe into alleged concealing of assets in Parmalat's bankruptcy case.

Parmalat, the dairy conglomerate known for its long shelf-life milk grew from a small dairy distributor in Parma, into a diversified, multinational food company by 1990, but collapsed in 2003 under euro14 billion in debt — eight times what it had previously acknowledged — in what remains Europe's largest corporate bankruptcy. Many small investors who lost their life savings were among some 40,000 defrauded bondholders.

Italian courts have already ruled that Tanzi bore the brunt of responsibility for the collapse. Tanzi was convicted by a Milan court last year of market-rigging and other charges in one of multiple probes. He is currently on trial for alleged fraudulent bankruptcy.

Tanzi has blamed the banks for the labyrinth of deals that helped swell the company to a global empire with operations in more than 30 countries, but also led to the company's collapse.

For years after the collapse, Tanzi was rumored to have had a "hidden treasure" somewhere. On Nov. 29, a state TV show alleged that Tanzi had hidden a collection of artwork to try to shelter himself from the effects of looming collapse of Parmalat.

"I don't have any secret cache" of paintings, Tanzi told reporters the next day on the sidelines of his current trial in Parma, repeating his ongoing dismissal of reports that he had a so-called "little treasure" of assets squirreled away.

A lawyer who represents Tanzi and serves as his spokesman didn't answer his cell phone Saturday.

Police showed some of the paintings to journalists near Parmalat's headquarters Saturday.

After the TV show, "we tightened the screws" and zeroed in on Tanzi son-in-law Stefano Strini, Iovino said. "He told us that the paintings were Tanzi's" and led police to the apartments, he said.

As the corporate failure loomed, Tanzi moved to safeguard his wealth by hiding "property whose value endures through time," Iovino said.

Among the masterpieces was a pencil on paper portrait of a ballerina by Degas, two Van Goghs, including a depiction of a trunk of a willow tree and a still life, a watercolor by Cezanne and a pencil-work by Modigliani.

Tax police official Massimo said some of the paintings were carefully wrapped for protection, but that other paintings, including a Picasso, were left open in the store room

YE OLDE CONVENT GARDEN TOY STORE

Benjamin Pollack's Toyshop

"The history begins in 1856 in Hoxton, an area of London bordered by the wealth of the City and the poverty of the East End. This is where Benjamin Pollock was born. At this time the toy theatre trade was flourishing in Covent Garden's Theatreland. By the time Benjamin Pollock had married Eliza Redington and inherited her father's Theatrical Print Warehouse, the toy theatre trade had been overshadowed by new fangled novelties such as magic lanterns, gramophones and the wireless.

However Mr Pollock, in his dark and dusty shop in Hoxton, carried on supplying theatrical sheets costing a penny plain and twopence coloured. His customers were local children aspiring to the stage or city gents nostalgic for their childhood as well as actors of the larger stage such as Charlie Chaplin. Pollock, although not the most innovative producer of Juvenile Drama, was the most amiable and diligent.

When Robert Louis Stevenson went to visit Webb, a rival of Pollock, he found him disagreeable and after an argument went down the road to Pollock's shop and was so delighted with him he immortalised him in an essay 'If you love art, folly or the bright eyes of children, speed to Pollock's." Here is the link to the store.

This Might Be Helpful For The Holiday Travels Ahead

Airline Baggage Charges made simple. From Lifehacker:"Nobody wants to get hit with a massive over-limit luggage charge when they're already stressed and rushing to catch their flight. Hit up Luggage Limits before you travel to avoid any check-in counter surprises.

We don't know if you've visited the web site of a major airline lately and attempted to decode their baggage policies but a significant number of the airlines have baggage policies that are not only buried deeply in their sites but written in a less than clear fashion.

Luggage Limits catalogs the baggage policies of over 90 airlines. Plug in what airline you are traveling with, your departure and arrival airports, and the class of your ticket—no surprise that first class has a higher luggage limit—and Luggage Limits spits out a comprehensive breakdown of cost of checking bags, the size limits for both standard and overweight/oversize baggage—and the associated fees—and the size and weight allowance for your carry-on and personal items. Reading the information on Luggage Limits for Northwest Airlines was much clearer than reading it on the Northwest web site, that's for sure."

Luggage Limits here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
--Irv Kupcinet

I HOPE YOUR DAY REQUIRES A LOOSENING OF THE BELT AND A GREAT NAP. CHEER'S AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOMER.

The Robert Isabell Auction

Robert Isabell was a fascinating fellow who worked in the limelight of Manhattan and yet was a very private man from the midwest. Today's story in the New York Times about the auction of his estate is really interesting. The contents of his home in Manhattan, seen by few, was truly eclectic and makes his life and possessions all the more interesting.

A great read in today's New York Times.

Here's the E-Catalogue from Southebys

Holiday Auctions For That Special Gift

Here is a list of upcoming auctions all taking place before the Holidays. Here are a number of auctions around the country and a link, worth a look for that special piece.



Lets start off locally at Weschlers.Fine Art & 20th Century Decorative Arts - Washington DC - December 5 2009 12:00PM


DOYLE AT HOME®
FINE FURNITURE, DECORATIONS AND PAINTINGS
Including Holiday Gifts

Auction
Wednesday, December 9 at 10am




Christie's Auction House: Important American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture. New York, December 2nd, 2009



Bonhams and Butterfields: American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture - December 2nd, 2009.


Susanin's in Chicago has some nice things for sale on December 5th, 2009.


Jewelry and Silver at Rago's on December 6th, 2009.