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Auctions

Find out about Sotheby’s, Phillips and Christie’s recent autumn auctions in Hong Kong, with Bonhams’ to be held on November 28. Pictured: A ruby and diamond ring with an estimate of HK$2 million to HK$3 million, going under the hammer at Bonhams. Photo: Handout

Bidders set the bar high at Hong Kong’s buoyant autumn auctions

Results highlight the enduring appeal of exceptional pieces by iconic high jewellery maisons such as Cartier, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Chinese crypto entrepreneur pays US$6.2 million for banana taped to wall

Hopes Magritte and Monet masterpieces can shake up stale auction market

Mark Rothko painting goes for 30% less than in 2015 in Hong Kong sale

Untitled (Yellow and Blue) by Mark Rothko, once owned by fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, fetches US$33 million at Sotheby’s auction.

Mark Rothko’s 1954 painting Untitled (Yellow and Blue) is displayed at Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong ahead of its auction on November 11, 2024. Photo: Sotheby’s

Copy of The Little Prince worth US$1.25 million for sale at art fair

For sale in the UAE, the typescript, one of only three known to exist, contains handwritten corrections by author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Humanoid robot’s artwork of Alan Turing sells for US$1.3 million

Portrait by the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist smashed presale expectations of US$180,000.

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Why scientists have a bone to pick with dinosaur fossil in Hong Kong

Hector the Deinonychus highlights how, like works of art, fossils too can be sold to the highest bidder. That has palaeontologists worried.

“Hector” the Deinonychus is a dinosaur fossil that was sold in 2022 by Christie’s auction house for US$12.4 million. The skeleton is currently on display in a permanent exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Photo: Christie’s

Meet the co-founder and CEO of Jay-Z-backed Wristcheck, Austen Chu

Comedian Kevin Hart also used the marketplace to find the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Grande Sonnerie he recently wore on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

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Michael Jackson jacket, Noel Gallagher guitar in music-themed auction

Beatle John Lennon’s first Vox amp, a Michael Jackson jacket, handwritten lyrics and a synthesiser Prince used are among lots in UK auction.

Why you should invest in alternative assets – experts share their insights

Rise Art, Cask Trade and Wristcheck founders describe the benefits of betting on secondary luxury investments, while investors seek transparency and meaningful connections.

Fine watches like this Richard Mille are one example of the sorts of alternative assets now receiving greater attention as more conventional options fail to deliver expected returns. Photos: Handout

Portrait by robot Ai-Da to sell at auction in art world first

The ‘haunting’ piece depicts Alan Turing, one of the fathers of modern computing, who had warned about the use of artificial intelligence.

Ai-Da poses in front of a painting she made during the press preview of the London Design Biennale 2023 at Somerset House, central London, in June 2023. Photo: AFP

US$1.5m plastic replica Iron Throne tops Game of Thrones auction

Replica throne from HBO series among more than 30 lots that sold for in excess of US$100,000 at three-day auction in Dallas, Texas.

Editorial | Auction promotes Hong Kong’s art hub status

The results of a Christie’s sale should be an incentive for the sector to focus on recovery after years of economic malaise.

Guitar George Harrison played as a teen could sell for US$1m

Futurama guitar, which Harrison’s mum paid for in instalments and which he played at hundreds of Beatles gigs, could fetch over US$1 million.

The Beatles (clockwise from top left) John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in London in 1964. Photo: AP

Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen’s Hermes bags bring in over HK$3 million for charity

Part of proceeds from 10 bags will be donated to actress’ Kelly Chen Children Education Fund, founded to help students from low-income families.

Singer-actress Kelly Chen’s 10 Hermes bags were sold at auction, with some of the proceeds going to the singer’s charity fund for students from low-income families. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Opinion | More pandas are great, but let’s also grow Hong Kong as a city of art

While Hong Kong remains one of the world’s leading auction capitals, the worth of having a healthy arts scene must also be recognised.

Christie’s CEO on Asia expansion and hopes for rebound in Europe

Guillaume Cerutti explains Christie’s move to year-round sales at new Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, and challenges facing European market.

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This artist is using AI to put ‘Asian aunties’ in seriously surreal situations

The Singaporean artist was an architect before getting into AI-driven art which has since led to a Ted talk, a Christie’s 3.0 charity auction, and billboards in New York’s Times Square and now Hollywood

Niceaunties’ surreal AI antics featuring Asia’s beloved aunties make it to auctions – and to Hollywood. Photos: Handout

Low Van Gogh price sets tone for debut Christie’s sale at new Asia HQ

US$27.6 million for early Van Gogh work a good price, observer says as Christie’s talks up results of auction where most bidding was low.

Shohei Ohtani 50th homer ball goes to auction – or yours for just US$4.5 million

Japanese star’s performance against Miami Marlins set him apart from any player in the history of the game.

Hong Kong to host auction of Mark Rothko piece once owned by fugitive Jho Low

Sotheby’s says sale of Untitled (Yellow and Blue) represents Asia’s first auction of late artist’s major work.

The painting was auctioned by Sotheby’s as recently as May 2015 for about US$46.5 million. Photo: AP

Exclusive | Van Gogh painting owned by princess may fetch US$50 million at Hong Kong auction

Les canots amarrés, owned by Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, will set record for most expensive painting sold in Asia if work fetches US$50 million estimate.

Vincent van Gogh’s Les canots amarrés is going up for auction on Thursday. Photo: Christie’s Asia Pacific

Christie’s unveils lavish new Asia HQ at Hong Kong’s The Henderson

The new venue, which spans 4 floors in The Henderson and will hold first sales on September 26, signals a commitment to ‘prestige’ and Hong Kong.

Christie’s merger with classic car dealer ‘great news’ for industry

With art sales down, the auction house’s merger with Los Angeles-based Gooding & Co is expected to breathe life into the classic car market.

What went on in the world of watches in July and August 2024? 7 highlights

Catch up on Chanel’s MB&F stake, LVMH’s corporate moves, Olympians’ and A-listers’ wrist candy, Watches and Wonders hitting Shanghai, and the finalists of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

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7 highlights from the world of watches including, from left, Victor Wembanyama sporting a Santos de Cartier at the Paris Olympics, the first Rolex Daytona Rainbow going on the block, and Chanel acquiring a 25 per cent stake in MB&F. Photos: Handout

Why jewellery remains a shining investment during troubled times

Jewellery was the second-highest performer on the latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, with period pieces, coloured gemstones and single-owner collections the strongest subsectors.

Jewellery was the second-highest performer on the latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, with period pieces, coloured gemstones and single-owner collections the strongest subsectors. Photo: EPA-EFE

Princess Leia gold bikini costume from set of Star Wars sells at auction for US$175,000

Costume was made famous when Carrie Fisher wore it at the start of Return of the Jedi when Leia was captured by Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine.

Sotheby’s Maison opens at Landmark Chater with 2 exhibitions and even a Banksy

The space’s floors are hosting ‘Bodhi: Masterpieces of Monumental Buddhist Art’ and ‘Ice: Two Masterworks on Loan from the Long Museum’ – as well as Banksy’s infamous Girl Without Balloon

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Auctions
Reporting on the latest auctions of luxury goods, including watches, handbags, high jewellery and fine art
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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