Wittelsbach diamond breaks world records

Posted on Dec 13 - Filed Under Jewelry | Leave a Comment

During Christie’s “Jewels: The London Sale” event on December 10, the historic Wittelsbach diamond was sold for a astonishing £16,393,250 ($24,311,191) and became the most expensive diamond and most expensive jewelry ever sold at an auction.

According to Christie’s, the 35.56ct diamond (sometimes just referred as the Wittelsbach) was purchased by the leading international jeweller Laurence Graff, bidding against Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading.

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The Greek Sale by Sotheby’s

Posted on Nov 13 - Filed Under Arts | 3 Comments

“The Arrival of Karaiskakis at Faliro” by Constantinos Volanakis found a new owner in London for 1,609,250 GBP
($ 2,386,034)

According to Sotheby’s catalogue note: “Never before offered at auction, The Arrival of Karaiskakis at Faliro, is the most important work by the artist to appear on the international art market. Most historical works by Volanakis of this scale and importance are in museums, institutions and corporate collections, making this painting one of the few examples still in private hands.

This monumental scene from the Greek War of Independence celebrates the arrival in 1827 of the fledgling Greek navy and one of its commanders, Georgios Karaiskakis, on the shores of Faliro, near Piraeus, in preparation for the campaign to liberate Athens, under siege from Ottoman forces. Altogether some ten thousand Greek soldiers convened at Piraeus. The fleet was made up of vessels assembled by various islands and forces under the command of Karaiskakis and the English philhellene, Lord Cochrane, the first ships landing in Piraeus on 5 February 1827. Karaiskakis was mortally wounded during the ensuing confrontation on the open plain between Piraeus and Athens, and died on 23 April 1827, going down in Greek history as one of the greatest heroes of the war.”

More about Constantinos Volanakis on Wikipedia

McLaren F1 breaks record at the Automobiles of London auction

Posted on Oct 30 - Filed Under Cars | 6 Comments

A month ago, we wrote about the upcoming McLaren F1 auction to be held on Oct 29 by RM Auctions in association with Sotheby’s. Partial, unconfirmed results are in through Ultimatecarpage.com

The McLaren F1 auction sets record with the £2,530,000 (~$4,194,234) hammer price

Other high value sales at the same event include:

1965 Ferrari 250 LM Berlinetta – £2,255,000 (~$3,738,339)

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France – £2,255,000 (~$3,738,339)

1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante – £660,000 (~$1,094,148)

Both Sotheby’s and RM Auctions removed the auction details from their websites. I assume only for the time being until they record the results. Once we have confirmed information from either of them, we’ll update this post.

Mao and Two Marilyns

Posted on Oct 20 - Filed Under Arts | Leave a Comment

Two Andy Warhol pieces went for over one million dollars yesterday in London at Christie’s “Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening Sale”

“Mao” – £657,250 ($1,140,986)

“Two Marylins” – £3,737,250 ($6,487,865)

Pigs might fly – second day of Damien Hirst’s auction

Posted on Sep 17 - Filed Under Arts | Leave a Comment

The second day of the Damien Hirst’s auction fetched another stunning £40,919,700 ($73,409,941).

Pigs Might Fly – 541,250 GBP ($971,002)

Bill With Shark – sold for 313,250 GBP ($561,970)
Oil on canvas, donated to the artist by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
It is sold on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.