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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>Regardless of the time of the creation – the 16th century or the 20th century – anything that is crafted with great precision will surely rack up more appreciation and ultimately fetch mind-blowing auction bids. Four such works are a necklace worn by Princess Diana, The Head of Saint John the Baptist presented to Salome painting, and two more.</p>
<p><strong>Iconic Cross</strong></p>
<p><strong>Diana necklace surpasses bid estimate</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70281 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The_Attallah_Cross_Sothebys_catalogue_shot_003_rgb-e1678677087796.jpg" alt="Auction Bids" width="768" height="767" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The_Attallah_Cross_Sothebys_catalogue_shot_003_rgb-e1678677087796.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The_Attallah_Cross_Sothebys_catalogue_shot_003_rgb-e1678677087796-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The_Attallah_Cross_Sothebys_catalogue_shot_003_rgb-e1678677087796-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The_Attallah_Cross_Sothebys_catalogue_shot_003_rgb-e1678677087796-600x599.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></p>
<p>An amethyst and diamond pendant once worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, fetched £163,800 (HK$1,534,906) at a Sotheby’s auction. Kim Kardashian outbid her rivals to scoop up the Attallah Cross. The cross was bought by Naim Attallah CBE, from Garrard in the 1980s and through his friendship with Princess Diana, he could loan it to her several times over a number of years to wear at events. It is understood that the Princess only ever wore the cross, and following her death, it was never seen in public again until the auction. The cross-shaped pendant – thought to be a one-off private commission by Garrard for one of their regular clients &#8211; is a bold and colourful piece set with square-cut amethysts and accented by circular-cut diamonds. The cross has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats and measures about 136 x 95mm. Head of jewellery at Sotheby’s London, Kristian Spofforth, said: “To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess’s growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices, at that particular moment in her life.”</p>
<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/pearly-whites-splashes-gold-silver/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pearly Whites with splashes of gold and silver</a></p>
<p><strong>Head Hunts</strong><br />
<strong>Depiction of decapitated saint</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70278 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/salomepainting_rgb-e1678677117446.jpg" alt="Auction Bids" width="768" height="717" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/salomepainting_rgb-e1678677117446.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/salomepainting_rgb-e1678677117446-200x187.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/salomepainting_rgb-e1678677117446-600x560.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></p>
<p>A controversial early masterpiece created by the renowned 16th century Flemish grandmaster, Peter Paul Rubens – Salome Presented With the Head of Saint John the Baptist – changed hands for an astonishing US$26.9m at auction during Sotheby’s Masters Week. Supposedly painted in 1609, it is regarded as one of a small group of masterpieces created by the artist immediately following his return from Italy in December 1608. The painting formed part of a truly grand white-glove sale of works from the fabled Fisch Davidson Collection &#8211; one of the most significant arrays of Baroque art ever to come to market. While many other fine items jostled for attention during the course of the sale, there was no doubt that this renowned example of Rubens’s singular artistic vision was the star attraction, with the winning bid of US$26.9m &#8211; the third highest price ever paid for one of the artist’s works at auction &#8211; merely confirming its significance. Christopher Apostle of Sotheby’s New York, said: “This Masters Week has been one of the strongest ever staged by Sotheby’s, both in terms of the record numbers pouring through our doors to peruse the lots on the show and the spirited bidding later seen in the saleroom.”</p>
<p><strong>Bronze Award</strong><br />
<strong>Rijksmuseum wins bidding battle</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70274 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ecorche100_p_rgb-e1678677174495.jpg" alt="Auction Bids" width="500" height="750" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ecorche100_p_rgb-e1678677174495.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ecorche100_p_rgb-e1678677174495-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></p>
<p>A bronze figure of an écorché man – an individual sculptured with his inner anatomy very much on show &#8211; created by Willem Danielsz Van Tetrode, a much-admired 16th-century sculptor, went for a fairly healthy US$1.5 million when recently auctioned in New York. A sculptor rightly renowned for dramatic compositions and skilled écorché, this particular work – perhaps unimaginatively known simply as A Bronze Figure of an Écorché Man &#8211; together with Hercules Pomarius and Striding Warrior, are generally viewed as his three most accomplished pieces. Perhaps boosting its appeal to collectors, however, the exaggerated body, long legs, abbreviated torso and visually dazzling musculature are quite unlike any of the sculptor’s other works. Particularly popular throughout much of the 17th century, this sculpture was said to have inspired many later artists, with its distinct colouring and contours recreated in a host of subsequent drawings and paintings, most famously in Voorhout’s A Young Scholar in his Study. The sculpture is now believed to have been acquired by the Rijksmuseum.</p>
<p><strong>Muscle Memory</strong><br />
<strong>Nostalgia for the days of the mighty muscle</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70273 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Daytona3_p_rgb-e1678677248536.jpg" alt="Auction Bids" width="768" height="397" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Daytona3_p_rgb-e1678677248536.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Daytona3_p_rgb-e1678677248536-200x103.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Daytona3_p_rgb-e1678677248536-600x310.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></p>
<p>To the surprise of many, a 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona muscle car – typically a two-door sports coupé designed for high-performance driving &#8211; sold for a highly commendable US$1.43 million at Mecum Kissimmee, a specialist automobile auction event held recently in Florida. Perhaps adding to its value, the vehicle was previously owned by Kevin Greene, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and David Spade, the well-known US TV and movie star. Boasting a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering and a 426/425 HP Hemi engine, its eventual sale price far outstripped that commanded by a similar model that went under the gavel in 2022. This may be at least partly because it is believed to be the lowest-mile, original engine four-speed Hemi Daytona still in existence. Remarkably, it has retained its value even though its first owner removed the original interior and arranged for all its body panels to be custom re-painted, while its factory wheels and tyres were put into storage. Although this Daytona model was only in production for one year, it is viewed as one of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history.</p>
<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wheels-luxury-lifestyle-motoring-great-car-clubs-hong-kong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Motoring On: Great car clubs of Hong Kong</a></p>
<p><em>(Text: Neil Dolby)</em></p>


Applauding Creations From Different Centuries – Auction Bids to Note

<p>A classic 1947 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith proved the star turn at India’s first-ever online bidding war for truly classic automobiles, as organised by AstaGuru, one of the country’s leading auction houses. In the end, this most luxurious of land vehicles went for a whopping US$247,216 (HK$1.9 million), with the winning bid – from an anonymous Mumbai-based businessman – accounting for nearly half of the sales’ total takings of around US$500,000.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42023" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1.jpg" alt="Rolls Royce Silver Wraith" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Untitled-design-1-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>A product of the immediate post-World War II boom period, the car reflected the optimism of the times, as well as the reborn love for the finest things life had to offer. This particular vehicle was actually an upgraded take on a 1939 model, complete with oodles of additional legroom and a judiciously-enhanced 30bHp engine.</p>
<p>Stashed below its magnificent blue paint job, the engine in question was a six-cylinder Bentley Mark 5, an internal combustion system said to be so smooth that it outperformed the most luxurious of limousines in terms of travel experience. With few such vehicles ever coming up for public sale, it’s really of little surprise that the expected bidding shifted up several gears.</p>
<p>Photo credit:&nbsp;AstaGuru</p>


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

Applauding Creations From Different Centuries – Auction Bids to Note

Rolls Royce Silver Wraith: Rare car sees accelerated bidding in Mumbai