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<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay controls src="https://www.igafencu.com/video/2309/2309_GMHK_Interview_Robertsleigh.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>It was perhaps a “somewhat undercover” wine-appreciation society started by Robert Sleigh and a schoolfriend that heralded an illustrious career spanning the idyllic vineyards of France, the hurly-burly of New York, and now the international melting pot of Hong Kong.</p>



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<p>Aptly ensconced in smart new headquarters at WKCDA Tower in Hong Kong’s cultural hub, the Managing Director, Asia, of Phillips talks fondly of those early years. Sleigh’s brief now extends beyond the world’s finest bottles as he oversees the regional strategy of the historic auction house known for its 20th-century and contemporary art and luxury sales.</p>



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<p>The Briton’s early passion for wine steered him into a driving job in London with wine merchant Haynes, Hanson &amp; Clark. Crucially, the role allowed him to take his Wine &amp; Spirit Education Trust (WSET) exams, as at the time only those employed in the trade could sit them. Then, as the UK economy stagnated in the early ’90s recession, he sought broader experience that would differentiate him from the crowd. Meeting some Burgundy producers at a wine-tasting event, he promptly asked if he could work for them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Burgundy benefits</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77332" width="512" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-187x280.jpg 187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK2967_p-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>Sleigh found himself at a small domain in Beaune where the grapes were handpicked from its own vineyard and the wine crafted and bottled onsite. “I did one viticultural year in a way; it was vineyard work and cellar work, and when I first got there, they were still pruning the vines,” he recalls.</p>



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<p>The labour was rewarding and he learnt the essentials of vinification. “Winemaking is 90% cleaning,” he says with a smile. “It is cleaning everything spotless so that you do not get bacteria in the wine and it all turns to vinegar.”</p>



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<p>He spent three years in France and is now an unashamed Francophile who would happily drink only French wine. His second job in Burgundy was at Maison Louis Latour, a leading négociant-éleveur with many English-speaking buyers. He liaised with clients and assisted with customer service and marketing.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US points</h3>



<p>It was this experience that likely helped Sleigh secure a “career-defining” move to the US, where in 1996 he joined the wine department of Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Aside from demand for the cult wines of Napa Valley, he noted other distinct differences in the US wine market compared to Europe. “The Americans are very much led by critic scores; the likes of Robert Parker at the time, who exerted a very powerful influence. They are buying on the 100-point scoring system,” he says.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hong Kong hub</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77331" width="512" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-187x280.jpg 187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hi_ACK3032_p-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>He was called to Asia in 2010 to manage the huge demand in the Hong Kong wine auction sector following the reduction and then elimination of tax on wine in the territory. </p>



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<p>With the West still reeling from the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis, coupled with the pent-up demand for Western luxury goods from Chinese consumers with huge disposable incomes, this “perfect storm” propelled Hong Kong into the wine hub of Asia.</p>



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<p>“The wine market has never seen anything like it and probably never will again,” says Sleigh, relating how prices took off and Hong Kong became the most important market within 18 months. “Just the amount of stimulus that happened then – it was an extraordinary time.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Auction house</h3>



<p>After more than 25 years at Sotheby’s, Sleigh assumed his new position with Phillips at the start of the year, tasked with a broader role in the art and luxury sector. Asian-based clients clinch about a third of Phillips’ sales, and he believes their new Asia headquarters with a purpose-built exhibition space – the largest premises of any auction house in Hong Kong – increases their visibility and power in the Asian market. “Being the first auction house to have our own permanent galleries and auction room leaves no doubt about how committed Phillips is to Asia,” he stresses.</p>



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<p>This site, occupying the lower six floors of WKCDA Tower near the M+ museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, has definite advantages. “The possibilities that this location holds for Phillips are endless, especially as the West Kowloon Cultural District continues to expand and thrive,” he says. “We are excited to be at the heart of it and play an active role in its evolution.”</p>



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<p>Early indications suggest the move to West Kowloon will be a successful one. Phillips’ 20th Century &amp; Contemporary Art exhibition in March and April, as well as previews of watch and jewellery lots, attracted 30,000 visitors, and their inaugural evening sale there yielded notable results – Yoshitomo Nara’s Lookin&#8217; for a Treasure sold for HK$84 million, and Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin fetched HK$56 million.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asian ascendency</h3>


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<p>According to Sleigh, the art world once operated in two separate ecosystems – East and West – but Hong Kong is now part of a unified global market, with a huge collecting base that extends from Asia to all parts of the world and vice-versa. He talks of a transformation of the playing field: “It now comes as no surprise that the highest-value lot in our long history – a masterwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat – came from the collection of Yusaku Maezawa and was sold to another collector based in Asia for US$85 million.”</p>



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<p>Since arriving at Phillips, Sleigh has noted a much younger clientele viewing contemporary art, 20th-century art, design, photographs and watches compared to those interested in wine. He is excited by how collecting is becoming integral to the Asian lifestyle – with many people travelling to the art fairs in Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore – and sees huge growth potential and less of a weight of tradition in the art market here.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sales drivers</h3>



<p>Eternally fascinated by the cycle of the auction industry, Sleigh has conducted literally hundreds of sales during his career. He believes the auction ritual remains “a compelling call to action” for unique and valuable items and will always play a role when there is competition for a desirable collectible. There are those who say that all auctioneers are frustrated actors, and though Sleigh remains unconvinced by this characterisation, he concedes he has known some who like “being there in front of the world!”</p>



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<p>He describes how having fallen asleep on a plane whilst watching the documentary The Truffle Hunters, he woke with a start, possibly due to hearing his own voice eerily on the headphones. It transpired that the director had taken an excerpt from a recording of a truffle auction for charity he performs every year.</p>



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<p>Indeed, charity is close to his heart. He is regularly involved in charity auctions and his wife, Libby Alexander, is the co-founder and CEO of Splash Foundation, which provides swimming lessons to those in need. “We are lucky we live in Hong Kong and we are very fortunate in many ways,” he says. “There are a lot of people who are less fortunate, so I think it is important [to give back].”</p>



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<p>Interview by: Neil Dolby Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction: Joseff Musa Fashion Stylist: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer:Jack Fontanilla Hair &amp; Make Up: Owen Ko Venue: Phillips Asia HQ in West Kowloon</p>


Sure Hammer: Having been around the auction block for 27 years, Robert Sleigh now drives Philips forward in Asia


<p>From a portrait painting that was discovered around the time of the painter’s death to a magnificent ruby that was mined from Mozambique last year, many highly valuable items were auctioned off. The four items that particularly stood out at this season’s auctions include the 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura, Gustave Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer, Tipu Sultan’s bedchamber sword and Antonio Canova’s Bust of Helen. Get to know how each attracted ground-breaking bids for being a unique masterpiece.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Red Light</h3>



<p><em>Huge Mozambique ruby outshines all</em></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="714" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RUBY1_copy_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77083" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RUBY1_copy_p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RUBY1_copy_p_rgb-196x280.jpg 196w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RUBY1_copy_p_rgb-200x286.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>A magnificent ruby unearthed in Mozambique last year has surpassed the world record for its type of precious stone – or indeed any coloured gem – sold at auction. The 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura, the largest gem-quality ruby in existence, stirred up frenzied interest from collectors ahead of its highly anticipated appearance at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York. The eventual selling price reached an astonishing US$34.8 million, surpassing the previous record of US$30.3 million held by Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese stone auctioned in 2015.</p>



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<p>Discovered as a 101-carat rough, Estrela de Fura was cut and faceted by a team of artisans who transformed it into a beautiful cushion-shaped ruby of outstanding clarity and vivid red hue. Rich in chromium, it radiates a fiery red fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. Since traditionally Myanmar (Burma) has been the birthplace of spectacular rubies, the Swiss Gemmological Institute singled it out for particular praise. It stated: “A natural ruby from Mozambique of this size and quality can be considered very rare and thus an exceptional treasure of nature.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lady Luck</h3>



<p><em>Hong Konger clinches Klimt’s final portrait</em></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Klimt_p_2_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77084" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Klimt_p_2_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Klimt_p_2_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Klimt_p_2_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>An amazing bidding war during Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction in London for a work of art found at the time of the artist’s death has resulted in a new European record. The painting by Gustave Klimt, entitled Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan), set the auction house abuzz and a four-way battle for the masterpiece ensued, pushing up the prized lot to £85.3 million (HK$850.5 million). The triumphant bid – by a Hong Kong collector – also achieved a record price for the artist and the second highest ever paid for a portrait at auction.</p>



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<p>Klimt’s female portraits have taken their place among the iconic images of modern art. Lady with a Fan dates from 1917-18 and represented a new approach to colour and form for the Austrian, combining rich patterns and oriental motifs with the delicate and luminous touch of an artist at the height of his powers. Prior to this final portrait – Klimt died in 1918 – he had earned a reputation for his erotic representations of women.</p>



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<p>“Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan) is an absolute testament to Klimt’s artistic genius,” said Helena Newman, Auctioneer and Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prize of the Tiger</h3>



<p><em>Sultan’s sword slashes sale estimate</em></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="750" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SWORD12_p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77085" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SWORD12_p_rgb.jpg 750w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SWORD12_p_rgb-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SWORD12_p_rgb-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SWORD12_p_rgb-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure></div>


<p>A bedchamber sword that belonged to Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysore’, has slashed its way into the record books at Bonhams, selling for a whopping £14 million (HK$142.45 million) after ferocious bidding. This is the highest price achieved at auction by an Islamic and Indian object and the best ever for a sword. It also represented a huge markup on the estimate of up to £2 million.</p>



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<p>The masterpiece of late 18th-century Indian manufacture was part of Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art sale in London. Dubbed ‘The Bedchamber Sword’, it has huge historical significance as an emblem of the Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767- 1799). Tipu Sultan – the Muslim ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in south India – was long a thorn in the side of the British East India Company. After he was killed during the siege of his stronghold, Seringapatam, in 1799, the sword was discovered in his private apartments and became symbolic of the transfer of power. An English inscription on the blade explains how it was found and presented to the leader of the conquering Company army, Major-General David Baird.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Immortal Beauty</h3>



<p><em>Helen of Troy bust wows bidders</em></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="500" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Antonio_Canova-p_rgb.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77086" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Antonio_Canova-p_rgb.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Antonio_Canova-p_rgb-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Antonio_Canova-p_rgb-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Antonio_Canova-p_rgb-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


<p>A magnificent marble bust emanating from Greek mythology has gone for £3.55 million (HK$36 million) at auction. Sold during Christie’s Old Masters sale in London, Bust of Helen attracted fierce bidding. Carved by Antonio Canova in Venice from 1816-17, the beautiful head of Helen of Troy was on the auction block for the first time in its history.</p>



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<p>Antonio Canova (1757-1822) is deemed a titan of neo-classical sculpture, and his marble carving of Helen is a classic example of his ability to portray exquisite beauty with remarkable realism. The bust was gifted to British aristocrat Robert Castlereagh in recognition of his efforts to secure the return of works of art to Italy after the Napoleonic Wars, imbuing the piece with added historical significance. When Byron gazed at the smooth white surface of Canova’s first Bust of Helen, created some five years previously, he was inspired to write a poem ending in the line, “Behold the Helen of the Heart!”</p>



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<p>Donald Johnston, Christie’s International Head of Sculpture, noted: “There has been increased interest in neo-classical marbles over the last five to eight years.”</p>


Discover the most incredible auction items that broke records with their jaw-dropping prices


<p>Enchanting and enriching 1.3 million visitors in its first year, Hong Kong Palace Museum is an unmissable addition to the Kowloon cityscape. From afar, the grandeur of its distinguished façade draws the eye. Inside its breathtaking space, 12 outstanding exhibitions have held court in as many months, each displaying a wealth of multimedia components, an innovative approach to curating, and a distinctive cultural perspective.</p>



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<p class="has-text-color" style="color:#ba1414"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/andrew-yuen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colour Harmony: Andrew Yuen’s Evolution From Boyhood Treasure Hunter To Guardian Of Culture</a></p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76991" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_Multi_3_rgb-1-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>On the occasion of its first anniversary, the HKPM is well into its stride and looking confidently to the future. Since it opened its doors to the public on 3 July 2022, the museum has cultivated strong partnerships in the areas of academic and cultural exchange, in addition to showcasing some of the finest artefacts from its namesake in Beijing and other significant cultural institutions around the globe. Its presence has strengthened the dialogue between world civilisations and Hong Kong’s status as an East-meets-West cultural hub.</p>


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<p>We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone. In the past year, the museum has brought moments of delight and amazement to the viewing public. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Palace Museum for loaning such precious objects for display in Hong Kong, and to our donours and patrons for their generous donations and support. Kudos must go to our curatorial and operational teams for their professionalism and dedication. The museum has been empowered by the overwhelming support of the general public and visitors from around the world,” says Winnie Tam Wan-chi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Palace Museum Board. “We vow to continue to present exceptional exhibitions and programmes at the HKPM with the aim of promoting Chinese culture to a global audience, in accordance with the National 14th Five-Year Plan to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beijing Assistance</h3>



<p>The Palace Museum in Beijing, which houses an immense collection of classical Chinese art and artefacts, and the West Kowloon Cultural District joined hands to create the Hong Kong Palace Museum in 2015-16. The cooperation was announced in December 2016 and billed as a gift from the central government to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China.</p>



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<p>As a result of the partnership, the Beijing museum lends items to the Hong Kong museum for both long- and short-term exhibitions. For those counting, a total of 914 items from the former’s 1.86-million-strong collection were secured for the HKPM’s inaugural shows.</p>



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<p>The loan is the biggest granted by the Beijing institution since its founding in 1925 and features pottery, jade, bronze, costumes, jewellery, paintings, calligraphy and other national treasures – the majority showing in Hong Kong for the first time. The most priceless pieces appear for three months before being returned home to rest in accordance with established exhibition practice.<br>Hong Kong Exclusive</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb.jpg" alt="art and culture" class="wp-image-76995" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G1_2_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Despite the connection between the two organisations, the Hong Kong museum has forged its own identity. The HKPM team arranges loans from other esteemed institutions besides the Palace Museum. Upon its opening in July last year – one day later than planned due to a typhoon – more than 100 works borrowed from other museums and institutions in Hong Kong, as well as 13 pieces on loan from the Musée du Louvre in Paris, were invitingly in situ.</p>



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<p>Multimedia creations from six local contemporary artists were also presented in its first exhibition, and ongoing efforts have been made to attract young people and foster an understanding of Chinese culture on a global scale.</p>



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<p>The HKPM’s 84,000 square feet of exhibition space are spread across nine galleries over the seven-storey building designed by local architect Rocco Yim. Each gallery has a different topic, such as life, architecture, design, or art in the Forbidden City, where its Beijing counterpart is housed.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76996" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G5_1_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Now Showing</h3>



<p>In the fifth three-month rotation of treasures on loan from the Palace Museum, 51 splendid works will be exhibited in Galleries 1, 2 and 5 until September 2023. Most pieces in this impressive display have not been seen in Hong Kong before and they aptly mark the HKPM’s first-anniversary milestone. They include two Grade One national treasures: a Ming-dynasty ewer resembling a pine tree and a Qing-dynasty brush pot shaped like a Chinese cabbage by renowned bamboo carvers Pu Cheng and Feng Xijue respectively. These extraordinary works headline the must-see show ‘The Quest for Originality: Contemporary Design and Traditional Craft in Dialogue’ in Gallery 5.</p>



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<p>A recently acquired scene from The Grand Imperial Wedding of the Guangxu Emperor called “Presenting the Empress’s Investiture Book and Seal at the Hall of Union” is one of the highlights of ‘Entering the Forbidden City: Collection, Architecture and Heritage’, the presentation in Gallery 1. It is joined by the only surviving gold seal of an empress in the Palace Museum collection.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76997" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_3_rgb-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>In Gallery 2, ‘From Dawn to Dusk: Life in the Forbidden City’ includes “The Maze”, a print from the Twenty Views of European-style Mansions in the Garden of Perfect Brightness series that showcases the magnificent scenery at Yuanmingyuan Park (the Old Summer Palace). This set of Qing-dynasty prints of the famed imperial garden reflects the integration of European and Chinese painting styles and landscaping features at the time.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Gift that Keeps on Giving</h3>



<p>A portion of China’s imperial treasures is housed at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, having been removed from the mainland during the civil war in the 1940s. The HKPM has been looking into potential collaborations with the Taiwan museum, but due to the latter’s rigorous policies regarding the loan of artworks and artefacts abroad, there are presently no plans to share collections.</p>



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<p>However, for the recently minted Director of the HKPM Board, Andrew Yuen, introducing Chinese arts and culture to a wider audience fits his broader vision. “My hope for the Hong Kong Palace Museum still is to be the bridge between the other two ‘Palace-tinians’, between China and Taiwan,” he says.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb.jpg" alt="hong kong palace museum" class="wp-image-76998" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HKPM_G9_1_p_clip_rgb-200x150.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Alluding to the museum’s genesis as an anniversary present to Hong Kong, Yuen adds: “I hope that Hong Kongers can make time to appreciate our rich Chinese culture. After all, the HKPM is built as a gift for us here in Hong Kong, so we should treasure it and feel special about having such a venue.</p>



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<p>“From the moment you step foot in the museum, you will feel its grandeur and importance. This is really one of a kind. The plan, after all, is not to be a branch of the one in Beijing. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is really distinct from its namesake and we plan to keep it that way.”</p>



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<p>Ultimately, the Hong Kong Palace Museum is a public venue that aims to incorporate art into everyday life rather than only being a place for those who study art and culture. It goes beyond.</p>



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<p>Click <a href="https://www.hkpm.org.hk/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to visit the museum.</p>


Palace of Year: One year in, the Hong Kong Palace Museum has forged its own identity as a world-class cultural landmark

<p>A piece of painting, an automobile or anything that has an interesting story and history to it always becomes a priced possession and dominates in the auction world. To add to it, if the bidding item is completed with great craftsmanship, it is always bought for millions.</p>
<p><strong>Passionate CLINCH</strong></p>
<p>Woman sculptor inspired by ancient poem</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70712 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Claudel1_p-e1680746759358.jpg" alt="great craftsmanship" width="500" height="603"></p>
<p>Camille Claudel’s L’Abandon sold for £831,600 (about US$1.01 million) at a Christie’s sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in London, beating out two sculptures by Auguste Rodin, briefly her collaborator and lover, for the auction top spot. Cast in bronze by Eugène Blot in 1905, the work is hailed as the French figurative sculptor’s breakthrough. Born in Fère-en-Tardenois, a rural village between Paris and Reims, Claudel’s mother told her any desires to become an artist were ‘unladylike’. Her father, however, presented some of her early work to a neighbour: the sculptor Alfred Boucher. Impressed, he became the girl’s mentor, and following his advice, the family moved to Paris in 1881. Claudel enrolled at the Académie Colarossi – a progressive art school that admitted women. In 1886, she began working on L’Abandon, a sculpture of an embracing couple inspired by the ancient Sanskrit poem Sakuntala. Exhibited in plaster at the 1888 Salon des Artistes Français, it won an honourable mention. The critic André Michel praised its “profound feeling of tenderness both chaste and passionate, an impression of quivering, of restrained ardour”</p>
<p><strong>Top table</strong></p>
<p>Italian dining furniture attracts huge bid</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70713 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/table101_p-e1680746841331.jpg" alt="great craftsmanship" width="500" height="621"></p>
<p>A magnificent Italian ormolu, white marble and semi-precious hardstone-inlaid centre table went for a healthy US$1.5 million at the widely-anticipated auction of Modern Medici: Masterpieces from a New York Collection held by Christie’s. One of the sale’s shining highlights, this bejewelled piece of furniture is a prime example of early 19th-century Italian craftsmanship – an elegantly sculptured base expertly rendered in gilt bronze with a rich combination of chased and burnished surfaces, paired with a marble top inlaid with glorious coloured stones. The latter, circa 1800-1810, is the handiwork of Roman mosaicist Giacomo Raffaelli. Assessing the appeal of this rare lot, William Strafford, Christie’s Deputy Chairman, European Furniture and Decorative Arts, said: “The spectacular table is a fine embodiment of the art of pietra dura and sculptural gilt-bronzes. Its eye-catching top is inset throughout with rare samples of semi-precious hardstones, an attribute that saw the table hugely admired during an exhibition dedicated to this exquisite collection. We were thrilled that it was one of two lots that fetched the highest prices of the sale, selling for US$1.5 million to an anonymous buyer.</p>
<p><strong>Church Record</strong></p>
<p>Happy ending for looted Kandinsky</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70714 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kandinsky_L-002-e1680746909771.jpg" alt="great craftsmanship" width="768" height="701"></p>
<p>A bid of US$44.9 million at a recent Sotheby’s sale scooped up a masterpiece by Wassily Kandinsky, representing a new auction record for the artist. The painting, Murnau mit Kirche II (Murnau with Church II), originates from 1920 and encapsulates the beginnings of the revolutionary abstract language that would underpin the rest of Kandinsky’s career. The work was recently returned to the descendants of its rightful owners, the Berlin art collectors Siegbert and Johanna Margarethe Stern; Johanna died at Auschwitz in 1944. Auction proceeds are to be shared between the 13 surviving Stern heirs and used to fund further research into the fate of their family collection. Lucian Simmons, Vice Chairman and Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Restitution said: “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the conference, held in Washington, D.C., that first established the ground rules for the restitution of artworks looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. Since then, Sotheby’s Restitution Department has worked with many heirs and families to reunite them with their stolen property and, at the same time, to help re-tell their stories and celebrate their lives.”</p>
<p><strong>Bugatti blast</strong></p>
<p>Frenzied bidding for last-of-its-kind supercar</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70715 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/07-BUGATTI_Chiron-Profilee_auction_p1-e1680746965181.jpg" alt="great craftsmanship" width="768" height="512"></p>
<p>A Bugatti Chiron Profilée, the last W16-powered car available from the famed French automotive atelier, has gone for nearly 9.8 million euros (about US$10.7 million), making it the most valuable new car ever sold at auction. It was the last possible opportunity to buy a new Bugatti powered by the legendary W16 engine – the only 16-cylinder engine in the world to be used in a car. With such an important piece of Bugatti history at stake, bidding was fierce. Marcus Görig, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “It was an honour for us to host this very special lot in collaboration with Bugatti. The sale of the Chiron Profilée was one of the most anticipated moments of the whole auction. With enormous global interest in the car, the Profilée attracted considerable attention at the auction among bidders and curious viewers who had visited to have a glimpse of this unique car.” Designed as a more radical version of the Chiron Sport, the Profilée took its name from one of Jean Bugatti’s first creations – a specific Type 46 model known as Surprofilée, with a sleeker silhouette and an elegant sweeping tail.</p>
<h5>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gafencushop.com/auction-bids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Applauding Creations From Different Centuries – Auction Bids to Note</a></h5>


Highly-valued Craftsmanships – The Latest Top Bids in the Auction World

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For decades, fashion has become a canvas for some remarkable art pieces, and the result was some phenomenal and much-loved collections that helped people appreciate both art and fashion at the same time.&nbsp; Here are some of the most iconic collaborations since the 1960s.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><b>Yves Saint Laurent x Piet Mondrian&nbsp;</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70347" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70347" style="width: 768px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70347 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ysl-e1679281099801.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="768" height="384" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ysl-e1679281099801.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ysl-e1679281099801-200x100.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ysl-e1679281099801-600x300.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70347" class="wp-caption-text">©: Yves Saint Laurent</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yves Saint Laurent has collaborated with many artists to date but the one with Piet Mondrian can never be forgotten. The fashion house&#8217;s Autumn/ Winter 1965 collection grasped the geometrics and colour-blocking techniques of Mondrian&#8217;s art perfectly. The creation not only gave fashion lovers some iconic vintage pieces but also paved way for the French fashion Maison’s success.</span></p>
<p><b>Versace x Andy Warhol&nbsp;</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70346" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70346" style="width: 454px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70346 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="454" height="599" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682.jpg 454w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682-200x264.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682-212x280.jpg 212w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682-120x158.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/versace-e1679282131682-400x528.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70346" class="wp-caption-text">©: Artsy</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A collaboration that came as a result of Versace’s admiration for Andy Warhol is the Italian designer’s Spring/Summer 1991 collection, otherwise known as the &#8220;Pop&#8221; collection which included the American artist’s artwork. The most remarkable of them all was a dress featuring Andy Warhol&#8217;s best screen prints featuring portraits of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, and it will always be remembered in the history of fashion.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><b>Hermés x Hiroshi Sugimoto</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70344" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70344" style="width: 768px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70344 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hermes-e1679281202110.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="768" height="497" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hermes-e1679281202110.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hermes-e1679281202110-200x129.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hermes-e1679281202110-600x388.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70344" class="wp-caption-text">©: Hiroshi Sugimoto</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto&#8217;s project titled Colours of Shadow was a perfect mix of the artist’s play with colours and the principles of physics that gave a simple ombre painting, a magical effect. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hermés’s artistic director </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pierre-Alexis Dumas took one look at the abstract painting and went ahead with the artist’s suggestion to transfer it to </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hermés scarves.</span></p>
<p><b>Louis Vuitton x Jeff Koons</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70349" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70349" style="width: 768px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70349 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LV-e1679281319469.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="768" height="531" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LV-e1679281319469.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LV-e1679281319469-200x138.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LV-e1679281319469-600x415.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70349" class="wp-caption-text">©: Louis Vuitton</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most people recognise Jeff Koons’s famous art pieces, Balloon dog and Rabbit, but art enthusiasts know his most-loved and also very controversial work, The Gazing Ball series. It represented the works of some great artists like Van Gogh and Da Vinci in a new light. Among those who were impressed by Jeff Koons’s The Gazing Ball series was Louis Vuitton who decided to bring the paintings to LV bags&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><b>Vans x Van Gogh</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70345" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70345" style="width: 553px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70345 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="553" height="381" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans.jpg 553w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans-200x138.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans-406x280.jpg 406w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans-120x83.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans-500x344.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vans-400x276.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70345" class="wp-caption-text">©: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vincent Van Gogh&#8217;s works have been cherished and admired by art experts and common people alike. So, when Vans decided to feature the artist&#8217;s paintings in its collection, it gave rise to an incredible line. Van Gogh&#8217;s iconic works like </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Almond Blossoms, Sunflowers, Van Gogh&#8217;s self-portrait </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skull</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took a new life on Vans sneakers and jackets.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><b>Gucci x Elton John</b></p>
<p><figure id="attachment_70343" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70343" style="width: 768px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-70343 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gucci-e1679281442766.jpg" alt="art fashion collections" width="768" height="490" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gucci-e1679281442766.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gucci-e1679281442766-200x128.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gucci-e1679281442766-600x383.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-70343" class="wp-caption-text">©: Gucci</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Italian fashion house Gucci’s collaboration with singer-songwriter Elton John brought Gucci enthusiasts and the singer’s fans a remarkable collection. The cover art of his single &#8220;Levon&#8221; was printed on t-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags of the brand. The capsule collection supposedly reflects the whimsical characteristics of the song.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/contrasting-outfits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miss Matched: Contrasting wear for the perfect pair</a></p>


Tag: paintings

Sure Hammer: Having been around the auction block for 27 years, Robert Sleigh now drives Philips forward in Asia

Discover the most incredible auction items that broke records with their jaw-dropping prices

Palace of Year: One year in, the Hong Kong Palace Museum has forged its own identity as a world-class cultural landmark

Highly-valued Craftsmanships – The Latest Top Bids in the Auction World

The Best Fashion Collections That Were Inspired by Art

Tag: paintings

Blog Section

Sure Hammer: Having been around the auction block for 27 years, Robert Sleigh now drives Philips forward in Asia

Discover the most incredible auction items that broke records with their jaw-dropping prices

Palace of Year: One year in, the Hong Kong Palace Museum has forged its own identity as a world-class cultural landmark

Highly-valued Craftsmanships – The Latest Top Bids in the Auction World

The Best Fashion Collections That Were Inspired by Art