Tuesday, August 16, 2011

SOTHEBY'S RM 1.2 BILLION AUCTION 1-6 OCTOBER!

kee@fswmag.com

IF YOUR SPARE CASH IS CRYING FOR RELEASE AND YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH SURPLUS MONEY, MOSEY DOWN TO HONG KONG THIS OCTOBER AND SQUANDER THEM ON WORKS OF ART THAT WILL LIFT YOUR SOUL AND MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING AGAIN.
Jadeite Cabochon Ring.jpg
RM 75 million. This 9.27 carat pink diamond from the Golconda mines in India is the single most expensive item and the smallest you can put in your wallet.
Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
This vase is only 36.5 cm but is expected to fetch up to RM 50 million!
Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
This peach vase is slightly bigger at 51 cm but is worth the same amount, RM 50 million
Jadeite Cabochon Ring.jpg
I think I will settle for this 'Best Buy' item; a 30.31 carat diamond ring estimated at up to RM 25 million. At least this baby won't break, crack or chip! Or get smashed to smithereens by my careless maid when changing water as I would use that RM 50 million peach vase to hold flowers.


Of course RM 1.2 billion is only an estimate. The actual sales could be RM 2 billion or RM 800 million or whatever. The 3,400 lots require nearly a week to clear and specific days are allocated to the various categories like Chinese painting, jewels, wine, watches etc so there is something for everyone and in every price bracket too as not every attendee is a millionaire. You will still need RM 10,000 for starters as there are pitifully few items under 10k. After all, 3,400 lots are not considered a large amount when the total sales are supposed to exceed a billion ringgit.

This October sale will definitely test the luxury market as every item to be auctioned is totally unnecessary as no one has ever died from not owning a nice painting, watch or diamond. This October auction is primarily for the super rich who can swallow a tag of RM 35,000 for a bottle of wine, RM 3 million for a Mask series painting by Zeng Fanzhi, RM 17 million for a 1968 painting by little known artist Zao Wu Ki, RM 50 million for a peach vase just 51 cm high or RM 75 million for a 9.27 carat pink diamond.

So far the last few sales have held their ground but since the headwinds have been smashing down even the battlements of the richest tycoons, I wonder if they are still in the mood to bid extravagant prices for stuff they have to take care of and buy insurance for the rest of the time they own them. But I am being jealous as I want so many of these goodies that have elevated the cave man to the sophisticated chaps we are today. Sadly I can only dream although Buddha told me I would be reborn the world's most powerful emperor but I am still so young and I would have committed suicide except this would prevent me from being reborn!

I cannot even view them and leave my tongue marks all over the showcases as Sotheby's has cruelly left Kuala Lumpur out! Yes, the highlights of this stupendous sale will be exhibited from 3 to 25 September in 5 cities but NOT Kuala Lumpur!

Can you believe this insult? Yes our neighbouring cities are all included, up north and down south and very near us but not in the Malaysian capital! From 3 to 4 September the exhibition will be in that irritating island Singapore at The Regent. From 6 to 7 Sept it will be at The Sukothai hotel in Bangkok up north. And bypass us by sandwiching us!

From 16 to 17 Sept it will be in Shanghai at the Portman-Ritz Carlton. From 19 to 20 it will be in Beijing at the Ritz-Carlton Beijing and finally it heads to Taipei from 24 to 25 Sept at Fubon International Convention Centre! And for the month of October from 1 to 5 October it will be on show at Hong Kong Convention Centre as the auction begins.

Are Kuala Lumpur and Malaysians considered so poor Sotheby's has to bypass us for Singapore and Bangkok? Where can we hide our faces from such shame and humiliation? Maybe we should turn off the tap and Sotheby's directors will be so thirsty they will come here. Then again, they are auctioning heaps of wine and they can drink their stocks...we just can't win, can we?


SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG 2011 AUTUMN SALE SERIES
TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER
OFFERING OVER 3,400 LOTS
ESTIMATED IN EXCESS OF HK$2.4 BILLION
(US$300 MILLION)
Public Exhibitions: 1 – 5 October ︳Auctions: 1 – 6 October
***********
Hong Kong, 8 August 2011 Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2011 will be held at Hall 3, Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1 to 6 October 2011. The six-day sales series will offer the finest collections
across eight collecting categories, namely Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Fine Chinese Paintings, 20th Century
Chinese Art, Contemporary Asian Art, Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings, Magnificent Jewels
and Jadeite, Important Watches and Wine. A total of over 3,400 lots on offer are expected to fetch in excess of
HK$2.4 billion / US$300 million*.

Selected highlights will be showcased in travelling exhibitions across Asia in September, concluding in a public
exhibition of all the properties on offer in Hong Kong from 1 to 5 October 2011.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

WINE ︳1-2 OCTOBER
The Classic Cellar from a Great American Collector VIII (1 October)
Offering over 500 lots, the eighth auction of this important private wine collection will feature the finest Bordeaux from the
last three decades with large formats playing a dominant role.

Château Cheval Blanc 1990 (Imperial)
Est.: HK$60,000-85,000 / US$8,000-11,000
Château Cheval Blanc 2000 (2 Double Magnums)
Est: HK$55,000-80,000 / US$7,000-10,000
Château Cheval Blanc 2005 (6 Magnums)
Est.: HK$42,000-60,000 / US$5,500-7,500

Finest & Rarest Wines, including The Ultimate Nine from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection (2 October)
This auction will present a magnificent range of Five Star Provenance Bordeaux from the First Growths, along with Pétrus,
Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Yquem. Another equally important collection comes from two members of the Rothschild family,
whose wines have never left Château Lafite.

Château Pétrus 1989
Est: HK$320,000-420,000 /
US$40,000-55,000
(12 bottles)

Oct 2_Margaux 2005.jpg
Château Margaux 2005
Est: HK$80,000-120,000 /
US$10,000-15,000
(12 bottles)

Château Mouton Rothschild
2000
Est: HK$100,000-160,000 /
US$13,000-20,000
(12 bottles)

Domaine Romanée-Conti
1988
Est: HK$750,000-900,000 /
US$95,000-110,000
(12 bottles)


CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART︳3 OCTOBER
Tomoko Konoike_Tsunami.jpg
Zeng Fanzhi (b. 1964)
Mask Series
Oil on canvas
1998
99.6 x 80.4 cm; 39 1/4 x 31 5/8 in.
Est: HK$4–6 million / US$510,000-770,000

Tomoko Konoike_Tsunami.jpg
Liu Wei (b.1965) (top right)
Who am I?
Oil on canvas
1999
154 x 200 cm; 60 5/8 x 78 3/4 in.
Est: HK$3-5 million / US$390,000-640,000


Tomoko Konoike_Tsunami.jpg
Tomoko Konoike (b. 1960) (bottom left)
You who are looking - what are you looking after the
Tsunami
Acrylic, Japanese ink and gold leaf on Kumohadamashi
paper (Japanese paper) mounted on wood panel
2011
135 × 175 cm; 53 1/8 x 68 7/8 in.
Est: HK$400,000-600,000 /
US$50,000-60,000


Tomoko Konoike_Tsunami.jpg
Kim Tschang Yeul (b. 1929)
PA84010
Oil on canvas
1984
197 x 160 cm; 77 1/2 x 63 in.
Est: HK$2-2.5 million / US$260,000-320,000


20TH CENTURY CHINESE ART ︳3 OCTOBER
Wu Guanzhong_Scenery of the Lijiang River.jpg
Zao Wou-ki (Zhao Wuji; b. 1921)
10.1. 68
Oil on canvas
1968
117 x 82 cm; 46 x 32 1/4 in.
Est: HK$25-35 million / US$3.2-4.5 million

Wu Guanzhong_Scenery of the Lijiang River.jpg
Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010)
Scenery of the Lijiang River
Oil on canvas
1975
77 x 96 cm; 30 1/4 x 37 3/4 in.
Est: HK$12-18 million / US$1.5-2.3 million

Wu Guanzhong_Scenery of the Lijiang River.jpg
Wang Yidong (b. 1955)
Wedding Night
Oil on canvas
1994
138 x 105 cm; 54 3/8 x 41 3/8 in.
Est: HK$8-12 million / US$1-1.5 million


Sanyu_Reclining Nude.jpg
Sanyu (Chang Yu; 1901-1966)
Reclining Nude
Oil on canvas
1930s
80 x 120cm; 34 1/2 x 47 1/4 in.
Est: HK$10-20 million / US$1.3-2.6 million


MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY SOUTHEAST ASIAN PAINTINGS |3 OCTOBER

Affandi - Muka Sendiri.jpg
Affandi (1907 - 1990)

Muka Sendiri (Self Portrait)
Oil on canvas
Signed, titled and dated 1963 upper right
126 x 102 cm; 49 1/2 x 40 1/4 in.
Est: HK$1.8-2.5 million / US$232,000-323,000


Affandi - Muka Sendiri.jpg
Hendra Gunawan (1918-1983)
Tuak Manis (Sweet Wine)
Oil on canvas
Signed, titled and dated 79 lower left
211 x 391 cm; 83 x 154 in.
Est: HK$1.8-2.8 million / US$232,000-361,000


Affandi - Muka Sendiri.jpg
Theo Meier (1908 – 1982)
Women in the Garden
Oil on canvas
Signed and dated 77 lower left
192 x 103 cm
Est: HK$850,000-1. 3 million / US$100,000-180,000


Affandi - Muka Sendiri.jpg
Andres Barrioquinto (b. 1975)
Tyrant Destroyer
Acrylic and oil on canvas
2011
210 x 150 cm
Est: HK$70,000-90,000 / US$9,000-11,600


FINE CHINESE PAINTINGS ︳4 OCTOBER

Wu Guanzhong_Wu Gorge.jpg
Zhang Daqian (1899 – 1983) (left)
Self Portrait in the Yellow Mountains
Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll
1961
192 x 102 cm; 75 1/2 x 40 1/8 in.
Est: HK$8-12 million / US$1-1.5 million


Wu Guanzhong_Wu Gorge.jpg
Fu Baoshi (1904-1965) (right)
Pavilion in the Solitude of the Mountains
Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll
1943
105.5 x 60.5cm; 41 1/2 x 23 7/8 in.
Est: HK$12-15 million / US$1.5-1.9 million


Wu Guanzhong_Wu Gorge.jpg
Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010)
Wu Gorge
Ink and colour on paper, framed
71.8 x 145.7 cm; 28 1/4 x 57 3/8 in.
Est: HK$7-9 million / US$900,000-1.2 million


AUCTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD CHINA CENTRE ︳
4 OCTOBER
The fund-raising auction offering over 30 lots is dedicated to the University of Oxford China Centre, Europe’s leading
interdisciplinary centre for the study of China. The Centre draws on Oxford’s historic links to China, dating to the 1604
acquisition of the Bodleian Library’s Chinese collection and the 1687 arrival of the scholar Shen Fuzong, the first Chinese
visitor to the United Kingdom. The items donated from alumni and friends will help fund the Centre’s new building, bringing
together academics and research that will increase East-West understanding, dialogue and collaboration in a range of
subjects from Chinese art and literature to public health and energy issues.
An Imperial Yellow Satin Embroidered “Dragon” Robe
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period
Est: HK$1.5-2 million / US$190,000-260,000


FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART︳5 OCTOBER
The Meiyintang Collection, Part II - An Important Selection of Imperial Chinese Porcelains
The Meiyintang collection ranks among the finest private collections of Chinese ceramics in the world, and Sotheby’s is
honoured to offer for the second time in Hong Kong a selection of some of its most iconic pieces. The selection emphasises
the most celebrated and rich periods in the history of the Imperial kilns. The sale offers over 40 lots with an estimated total
value of HK$430 million / US$55 million.


Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
An Outstanding Rare Blue and White Vase with
Fruit Sprays, Meiping
Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period
36.5 cm
Est: HK$80-100 million / US$10.3-12.8 million


Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
A Magnificent Famille-Rose “Peach” Vase, Tianqiuping
Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong
51 cm
Est: HK$80-100 million / US$10.3-12.8 million

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Various-Owner Sale)


Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
An Exquisite Pair of Famille-Rose Green-Ground Vases
Seal Marks and Period of Qianlong
36.5 cm
Est: HK$35-45 million / US$4.5-5.8 million


Qianlong Famille-Rose Peach Vase,Tianquiping.jpg
An Extremely Rare Imperial White Jade “Yongzheng Yubi
Zhi Bao” Seal
The Seal: Yuan Dynasty;
The Seal Face: Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
2.5 x 2.5 cm
Est: HK$20-30 million / US$2.6-3.9million



MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AND JADEITE ︳5 OCTOBER

Jadeite Cabochon Ring.jpg
Magnificent 30.31-Carat Pear-shape
Golconda Diamond Ring
Est: HK$40-50 million /
US$5-6.5 million


Jadeite Cabochon Ring.jpg
“Golconda Pink”, an Important and Impressive
9.27-Carat Fancy Vivid Golconda Pink
Diamond and Diamond Ring
Est: HK$100-150 million /
US$13-19 million


Jadeite Cabochon Ring.jpg
Fine Jadeite Cabochon Ring
HK$3.2-4.2 million /
US$400,000-550,000

IMPORTANT WATCHES ︳ 6 OCTOBER

JeanDanielNicholas.jpg
PATEK PHILIPPE Ref 1518
A Historically Important and Extremely
Rare Pink Gold Perpetual Calendar
Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers,
Tachometer, Moon-Phases and Gay
Frères Bracelet, circa 1950
Est: HK$3.2-4.8 million /
US$410,000-610,000


JeanDanielNicholas.jpg
CARTIER Santos Triple 100 No 16/20
A Rare and Impressive Limited Edition
White Gold and Full Diamond-Set
Wristwatch with Three Rotatable Dials,
circa 2008
Est: HK$1.2-1.8 million /
US$150,000-230,000


JeanDanielNicholas.jpg
JEAN DANIEL NICOLAS
2-Minute Tourbillon
A Very Fine and Rare Pink Gold Two-
Minute Tourbillon Wristwatch with
Power Reserve Indication, circa 2010
Est: HK$800,000-1 million /
US$100,000-130,000

*Total as of 8 August; estimates do not include buyer’s premium

I) Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2011 Calendar
–––– 1-2 Oct Wine
1-2 Oct
1-3 Oct (till 1 pm)
1-3 Oct (till 4pm)
3 Oct
Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings

20th Century Chinese Art
Contemporary Asian Art

1-3 Oct 4 Oct^ Fine Chinese Paintings
Auction for the Benefit of the University of Oxford China Centre

1-4 Oct 5 Oct^ The Meiyintang Collection, Part II - An Important Selection of Imperial
Chinese Porcelains

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Various-owner sale)


Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite

1- 5 Oct 6 Oct Important Watches
II) Hong Kong Exhibition and Auction Venue
Hall 3, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (New Wing)
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
^Two salesrooms will be set up for concurrent bidding

III) Travelling Exhibitions in Asia
Date Cities Venue
3 – 4 Sep Singapore The Regent Singapore
6 – 7 Sep Bangkok The Sukhothai
16 – 17 Sep Shanghai The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai
19–20 Sep Beijing The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street
24–25 Sep Taipei Fubon International Convention Centre




No comments: