Bloomberg News reports that Christie's will hold its first auction in Mainland China this fall. In doing so it will become the first international auction firm to hold its branded events there. The article cites the European Fine Art Foundation which concludes the $13.7 billion market is the second-largest in the world. The move may begin … Continue reading Christie’s to Enter China Auction Market
A judge in England recently ruled a painting purchased for more than $2.6 million from Christie's in London is a fake. Christie's must pay Russian billionaire buyer Viktor Vekselberg the $2.6 million, plus $2.2 million in damages, according to the Daily Telegraph. Originally thought to be painted by Boris Kustodiev, the signature was allegedly made … Continue reading Judge Rules $2.6 million Painting is a Fake
In this series, the UAA team will list some of the interesting items that we have found in auctions, antique shops, shows or eBay. We neither own the items or have the capability of examining the items in person in some cases. It mainly serves as an inventory record of what interests us (not necessarily in … Continue reading A Gaggle of Interest, Americana Week Edition
Three paintings by George Inness traveled to Philadelphia before I did. I met them on the 20th Floor of a building in Rockefeller Center during an American Art preview at Christie's. Normally they would have been in the ground floor showrooms, but those were taken. Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry is moving in. It will be available … Continue reading What’s Up and On in New York City
A highlight of the week of Americana Week sales, Christie’s is honored to announce that the sale of a Sheffield-plated silver wine cooler, given by George Washington to Alexander Hamilton in 1797 (estimate: $400,000-600,000). This four-bottle wine cooler is an exceptionally well documented historical object, symbolizing the famous partnership between Washington and Hamilton in the early days of … Continue reading Wine Cooler Given to Hamilton by Washington A Highlight of New York’s Americana Week
A rarely seen drawing by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) will be offered at Christie’s Old Masters and British Paintings Evening Sale on July 5th in London. Drawn at a pivotal point of the artist’s career, this preparatory study is one of only 24 sheets related to his seminal, prestigious and lost commission of The Battle of Cascina … Continue reading Michelangelo Drawing Coming to Auction in July
The ultimate destination on a short trip to Houston Memorial Day was the Houston Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH). That and Bayou Bend, a collection of American fine and decorative arts in the former home of noted philanthropist and Houstonian Ima Hogg. It was unclear from the website if Bayou Bend would be open Memorial … Continue reading A Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Among serious watch collectors and horological aficionados, perhaps no name inspires as much reverence and admiration as that of James Ward Packard (1863-1928), the American auto manufacturer and inventor whose passion for watch collecting is the stuff of legend. Packard was among the first of the great watch collectors to work directly with Patek Philippe … Continue reading The Fairytale Watch Collection Hidden in a Bank Vault for More Than Sixty Years
Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale realized $301,683,630, exhibiting a thriving and healthy market for art, in which buyers fiercely competed for works of utmost quality, provenance and beauty. Brett Gorvy, Christie’s International Co-Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Deputy Chairman comments: “Tonight’s extraordinary results exemplify the market’s vigor for top-quality works of art. … Continue reading Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Sale Sets Seven Records
Florence Barron first commissioned Andy Warhol to paint her portrait then changed her mind. Instead she opted for an image of Warhol himself, his first self-portrait made from images taken in a photo booth. She bought it on an installment plan for $1,600 in 1963. When it comes up for auction at Christie's next month, … Continue reading Warhol Portrait Bought on Installment Could Fetch $30 Million
Urban Art & Antiques 