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<p>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.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="584" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75972" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2_p_rgb-200x234.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2_p_rgb-240x280.jpg 240w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bangle FLAME</h3>



<p><em>One-of-a-kind jadeite bangle shines</em></p>



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<p>A magnificent bangle carved from full green jadeite was sold for HK$60 million by <a href="https://www.polyauction.com.hk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poly Auction</a> 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.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414">Also Read: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://igafencu.com/articles/all-about-jadeite-symbol-wealth-status" target="_blank">All About Jadeite: A Symbol of Wealth and Status</a></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="480" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Franois-Xavier_Lalanne_Grand_Bouquetin_1999_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75971" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Franois-Xavier_Lalanne_Grand_Bouquetin_1999_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Franois-Xavier_Lalanne_Grand_Bouquetin_1999_p_rgb-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Franois-Xavier_Lalanne_Grand_Bouquetin_1999_p_rgb-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Franois-Xavier_Lalanne_Grand_Bouquetin_1999_p_rgb-480x300.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Animal MAGIC</h3>



<p><em>Surreal animal figure woos buyers</em></p>



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<p>An enchanting animal sculpture by François-Xavier Lalanne struck a chord with buyers at an auction held by <a href="https://www.phillips.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phillips in London.</a> 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).</p>



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<p>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.”</p>



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<p>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.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="446" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MARSDEN_HARTLEY_On_the_Beach_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75974" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MARSDEN_HARTLEY_On_the_Beach_p_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MARSDEN_HARTLEY_On_the_Beach_p_rgb-200x116.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MARSDEN_HARTLEY_On_the_Beach_p_rgb-482x280.jpg 482w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bathing BLISS</h3>



<p><em>Beach masterpiece reaches tidy sum</em></p>



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<p>A famous painting by Marsden Hartley fetched US$1,865,000 when auctioned as part of <a href="https://www.christies.com/?lid=1&amp;sc_lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christie’s</a> 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.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



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<p>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].”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75973" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chrysler8_p_rgb.jpg 1875w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chrysler CLASS</h3>



<p><em>Classic roadster roars into record books</em></p>



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<p>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 <a href="https://www.goodingco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gooding &amp; Company</a> also set two other world records.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414">Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/wheels-luxury-lifestyle-motoring-great-car-clubs-hong-kong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great car clubs of Hong Kong</a></p>


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


<p>A jadeite necklace that is an ode to the Qing emperor, a unique luminescent moon jar, a painting that beautifully depicts Indian mythology or Yayoi Kusama’s famous pumpkin sculptor – all these latest history makers at auction houses have proved that a masterpiece that exudes rareness and creativity will receive unhinged appreciation.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Heavenly gem</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jadeite necklace nod to Qing emperor</h4>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="999" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Emperor_s-Treasure_p-999x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74549"/></figure></div>


<p>A magnificent jadeite bead, ruby and diamond necklace sold for US$7.8 million at a recent evening sale at Sotheby’s. Bidding was frenzied for this superb decorative piece called The Emperor’s Treasure, and it went for the top amount in The Exceptionals section at the Hong Kong auction. Named after Gems of Heavenly Favour, a collection of rare manuscripts beloved by the Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799), the necklace is composed of 43 slightly graduated jadeite beads varying in size from 11.55mm to 13.05mm. The best jadeite has fine translucency and a deep emerald-green hue. These beads attain these high standards, earning the right to be called ‘Imperial Green’ in an association of nobility and majesty befitting an emperor. Their intense, lustrous green is juxtaposed by the colour and sparkle of the clasp that secures them around the neck. Crafted from 18-karat white gold, the bejewelled fastening is highlighted by a central cushion-shaped ruby surrounded by calibré-cut rubies and rose- and brilliant-cut diamonds. In 2014, a Hutton-Mdivani Imperial Green jadeite necklace sold for HK$214.04 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, setting the auction record for jadeite jewellery.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glaze gazing</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Korean moon jar rockets to astronomical figure</h4>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="881" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Moon-Jar-881x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74546"/></figure></div>


<p>An important white porcelain moon jar set a new record for this distinctive and collectible category of Korean pottery, with the final bid rising to US$4.56 million at Christie’s sale of Japanese and Korean art in New York. The jar originates from the 1700s during the culturally rich Joseon dynasty. It notched up the highest price – far exceeding its $1 million estimate – during a special Asian Art Week at Christie’s, which also saw a buyer ride off with Hokusai’s Great Wave woodblock print for US$2.8 million, a record for the legendary Japanese artist. Large for a traditional moon jar at 46cm high, the prize lot is considered a superb example of its type from the 18th century, which is extremely rare. The gentle white sphere is covered with a translucent glaze from its everted mouth to its high, narrow foot. On close examination, areas of crackle are discernible, especially around the central seam where the two parts of the jar have been joined together. Minute traces of impurities in the glaze have produced variations in the smooth surface. Christie’s sales of Japanese and Korean Art achieved a total of $11,413,992, with registered bidders from 22 countries in total.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goddess of Might</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Painting of Durga a roaring success</h4>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="858" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Durga1-1024x858.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74545"/></figure></div>


<p>Manjit Bawa’s Untitled (Durga) went under the hammer for US$1.98 million at Christie’s recently, setting a new global auction record for the artist. In this monumental and imposing painting from 2004, Bawa presents the goddess Durga, the supreme female deity of the Hindu pantheon, mounted on the back of her vehicle or vahana, a lion. Durga is also known as Shakti or Devi, the protector of all that is good and harmonious in the world. However, this goddess is perhaps most renowned as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the invincible buffalo demon Mahishasura, created by the demon king Rambha. Although Durga is instantly recognisable here, Bawa’s version of the emblematic goddess embodies a delicate purity and all-pervasive truth, reflected through the meditative qualities of his own aesthetic and technical prowess. The artist died in 2008, and this painting was last sold at auction in 2014. Greatly inspired by Indian classical artistic traditions, his work often incorporated elements from various genres and periods. Bawa visited specific mythological themes throughout his career, depicting iconic gods and goddesses like Shiva, Krishna and Durga.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pumpkin high</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Record price for polka dot bronze</h4>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1019" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pumpkin-1019x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74547"/></figure></div>


<p>Yayoi Kusama’s bronze Pumpkin (L) fetched the highest price realised for a sculpture by the artist at Sotheby’s 50th Anniversary Contemporary Art Evening auction last month. Imbued with her trademark polka dots, this impressive example of Kusama’s highly coveted sculptural pumpkins – the eighth and final of an edition completed in 2014 – went for US$8 million. Beautifully materialised in bronze, the Japanese artist’s iconic striations of multi-sized polka dots meticulously encase the pumpkin from stem to base. One of the most admired and universally recognisable images of contemporary art today, the pumpkin is central to the 94-year-old’s widely celebrated oeuvre, appearing throughout her work from flat canvases and abstract paintings to gallery-wide installations. The bronze Pumpkin (L) is a prime example of Kusama’s unique ability to collapse the division between her own consciousness and the external world. Widely considered the most important artist to have emerged from Japan in the post-war period, Kusama was a contemporary of Andy Warhol and her pop art influenced his. Hong Kong’s M+ Museum retrospective of her work concludes on 14 May.</p>


Breaking Records: The Latest Auction Bids

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

Breaking Records: The Latest Auction Bids