Just to give you a frame of reference, I've selected a cross section of lots and presented them in approximate chronological order, according to period. All prices are in Euro with an exchange rate of $1.28 = €1, and all "Sold For" prices include the hammer price plus the premium.
Lot # 670
Buddha made of wood lacquered in gold and red
Ming Dynasty (16th Century)
Chinese
45" high
Estimate €30,000-40,000
Sold For €313,000
Bronze Head of a Rabbit
Qing Dynasty (18th Century)
Chinese
17 3/4" high
Estimate €8-10 Million
Sold For €15.7 Million
This item was the subject of some controversy as the Chinese
government tried unsuccessfully to have it blocked from the sale.
Qing Dynasty (18th Century)
Chinese
17 3/4" high
Estimate €8-10 Million
Sold For €15.7 Million
This item was the subject of some controversy as the Chinese
government tried unsuccessfully to have it blocked from the sale.
Lot # 141
Unicorn made of silver and vermeil (gilding)
Circa 1685
Swiss
12" high
Estimate €50,000-80,000
Sold For €325,000
Lot # 425
Oval Onyx Cameo
Set in gold with colored stones
16th Century
4 3/4"
Estimate €8,000-12,000
Sold For €91,000
Lot # 187
Ostrich Egg in Vermeil Setting
Circa 1717
German
15" high
Estimate €35,000-50,000
Sold For €169,000
Lot # 573
Tankard in sculpted ivory
Late 16th Century
Southern Germany
7 1/2"
Estimate €30,000-50,000
Sold For €145,000
Lot # 710
Suite of 18 Rococo Chairs
Italian
Mid 18th Century
Estimate €300,000-500,000
Sold For €961,000
Lot # 501
Processional Cross in gilded copper and enamel
set with precious stones and emeralds
Spanish
17th Century
24" high
Estimate €15,000-20,000
Sold For €79,000
Lot # 55
Henri MATISSE (French)
"Les Coucous, tapis bleu et rose"
1911
Oil on canvas
Estimate €12-18 Million
Sold For €35.9 Million
Lot # 276
Eileen GRAY (Irish)
Dragon Armchair
Circa 1917-1919
Estimate €2-3 Million
Sold For €21.9 Million
Lot # 35
Constantin BRANCUSI (Romanian)
"Portrait of Madame LR", 1914-1917
Wood sculpture
Estimate €15-20 Million
Sold For €29 Million
Constantin BRANCUSI (Romanian)
"Portrait of Madame LR", 1914-1917
Wood sculpture
Estimate €15-20 Million
Sold For €29 Million
Lot # 37
Marcel DUCHAMP (French)
"Belle Haleine - Eau de Violette"
1921
Ready-Made
Estimate €1 - 1.5 Million
Sold For €8.9 Million
Lot # 292
Jean DUNAND (French)
Pair of Lacquered "Monumental" Vases
1925
Estimate €1 - 1.5 Million
Sold For €3 Million
Jean DUNAND (French)
Pair of Lacquered "Monumental" Vases
1925
Estimate €1 - 1.5 Million
Sold For €3 Million
Lot # 341
Jean-Michel FRANK (French)
Rock crystal table lamp
1926
10 1/2" high
Estimate €80,000-120,000
Sold For €193,0000
Finally, you may be wondering what will happen to all this money? The proceeds are to be divided between the "Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent Foundation" created in 2002 to preserve the couturier's legacy and a planned foundation to fund AIDS related medical research.
So far, the moniker "Sale of the Century" is not an exaggeration - but the century is only 9 years old! It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the next record to be set!
1 comment:
Great Post, Thanks for This!
Dewey :)
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