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CCOLLECTIONS OLLECTIONS T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E O F A R T A N D C U LT U R E
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WWW.ARTSANDCOLLECTIONS.COM SPRING 2013
ART
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CULTURE
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LIFE
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EVENTS
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COLLECTABLES
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MARKET VALUES
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Sleeping in a barn
While Champagne and canapés help Aston Martin celebrate its centenary, a discerning mouse finds an upmarket nesting place.
ARTS&COLLECTIONS INTERNATIONAL
features
arts &
CCOLLECTIONS OLLECTIONS T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E O F A R T A N D C U LT U R E
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
www.artsandcollections.com
18 James Dean & The Spyder 26 Marilyn in Fashion
Fifty years after her death, who knew Marilyn had such an enduring impact on the fashion world?
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The 50th anniversary of Porsche’s iconic 911 car brings us a timely reminder of James Dean and his passion for his 550 Spyder. By Brendan Connolly.
35 Auction showcase
Kathryn McCann rounds up the latest auction news and puts the spotlight on major auctions still to come.
44 Matisse in Search of True Painting
52 Bowie is back
After five decades in the music industry, the glam rock star is ziggying his way back into vogue.
57 Truly Timeless
SPRING 2013
Painting had rarely come easily to Matisse. Throughout his career, he questioned, repainted, and re-evaluated his work. By Mary Gibb
ART
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CULTURE
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LIFE
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EVENTS
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COLLECTABLES
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MARKET VALUES
Cover: James Dean relaxes on his Porsche 550 Spyder © Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
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Watches—both vintage and modern—have proven themselves to be one of the most vibrant commodities on the world auction stage.
64 The mysteries of the Sublime
The vision of the romantic imagination introduced a new era of creativity. Its powerful legacy brought with it a series of dramatic changes to art and culture. By Charles Ford
73 The classic of classics
Riva and Gucci—two great Italian brands! They came together to mark Gucci’s 90th anniversary, the result was a unique classic—the ‘Aquariva by Gucci’.
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regulars 15
Happenings
Bringing you a mix of the high-minded, eccentric, regal, random, and unmissable events taking place as we welcome the spring season of arts and culture.
23 Exceptional wines
A remarkable wine sale offers collectors to purchase fine vintages from what was the world’s most famous restaurant, elBulli. By Charles Ford
32 events
A regular calendar of key international arts and culture events.
38 SOTHEBY’S HIGHLIGHTS
The worlds leading auction house highlights rare and unique collectors items from recent and future auctions in Sotheby’s international salesrooms. By Sotheby’s
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42 Treasures
Our series highlights a single item of artistry or craftsmanship that is both rare and exquisite.
70 Style and Design: Dazzling success
Known for his ability to create trends, Berge Abajian is among the elite in the glamorous world of fine jewellery.
74 Modern Collectables
The latest high-end must-haves to add to your collection.
76 b ooks
The pick of the most recent arts and collections books.
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81 Collector’s World: All hail the high heel
From Marie Antoinette’s stylish €62,460 shoes to Artiloi’s and Jimmy Choo’s modern masterpieces, footwear is in vogue again.
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It Figures...
DAMSONMEDIA Publisher & CEO Kevin J. Harrington Managing Editor Charles Ford Sub Editors Emma Cowles Kathryn McCann Glenda McCauley Designers Reneta Bozhinovska Juliana Martinhago Production Director Joanna Harrington Distribution & Production Coordinator Helen Shaw Commercial Manager Tony Ditri Production & Administration Linda Young Jessica Samuels Sales Director Darren Scott EDITORIAL OFFICE Arts & Collections International Linton House 39-51 Highgate Road London NW5 1RT United Kingdom Telephone: 0044 20 7870 9090 editorial@damsonmedia.com www.damsonmedia.com CHICAGO OFFICE Arts & Collections International 730 N. Franklin St. Suite 604, Chicago, IL 60654, USA Telephone: (312) 701 0000 THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER OR EDITOR. THE PUBLISHER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ALL EDITORIAL OR ADVERTISING MATTER. THE PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTWORK. IMAGES ARE SENT AT THE OWNERS’ RISK AND THE PUBLISHER TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS.
© 2013 DAMSON MEDIA
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF ANY TEXT, PHOTOGRAPH OR ILLUSTRATION WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. PRINTED IN THE UK.
Arts & Collections International has partnered with over 120 of the world’s finest luxury and boutique hotels to provide the highest quality coverage of global art and cultural events, as well as auctions of interest and the latest developments in the global art market. It is this blend of interesting and informative editorial that is most appealing to guests at these premier hotels, who have a great interest in admiring and purchasing fine art and collectables.
Arts & Collections International’s dedicated website, www.artsandcollections.com, features detailed information on each of the 120 luxury hotels promoting the publication in their exclusive rooms and suites.
All of the exclusive previews, reviews and expert commentary pieces that appear in the pages of Arts & Collections International are also available to view on www.artsandcollections.com. In addition, the website provides a directory of upcoming auctions by Sotheby’s and other top auction houses, plus exhibitions and popular cultural events, keeping visitors fully informed, as well as providing a comprehensive resource area for collectors and connoisseurs.
Arts & Collections International is published quarterly and is available on subscription for €40 (Europe) or €45 (worldwide) per annum including post and packaging. Please email editorial@damsonmedia.com for further details regarding subscriptions.
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911
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s 550 Spyder, the sportscar made famous by James Dean. Page 18
380 x 2 This is the horsepower of the twin engines that power the iconic classic boat, the ‘Aquariva by Gucci’, when two great Italian design houses came together to create this head-turning powerboat. Page 73
3,635,808 The dollar price paid for an exceptionally rare Patek Philippe 1987 chronograph from Eric Clapton’s collection, sold at auction by Christie’s Geneva. Page 61
8,807 Bottles of the finest wines from the cellars of elBulli restaurant (closed July 2011), and now offered at auction in two sales by Sotheby’s, in New York and Hong Kong. Page 23
1905
The year Matisse left Paris to spend the summer in Coullioure, south of France, where the blue skies and dazzling sunlight inspired his new approach to painting, one that was to influence the course of art history. Page 47
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AUCTION SHOWCASE // NEWS
Auction
Showcase It’s been a busy few months for international auction houses. Kathryn McCann rounds up the latest auction news and puts the spotlight on major auctions still to come.
AUCTION NEWS
50 YEARS OF BOND Christie’s celebrated 50 years of James Bond with an extremely successful live evening charity auction on October 5, 2012, which raised a grand total of £752,050. Guest ‘auctioneers’ in attendance included Sir Roger Moore, Micheal G. Wilson, Dame Judy Dench and David Walliams. The top lot of the live auction was an Aston Martin DBS used by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Quantum of Solace. Following a bidding war between the Internet, telephones and those in attendance, this resulted in a final price of £241,250—sold to benefit Barnardo’s. A specially-made Titanium Automatic Seamaster Professional ‘Planet Ocean’ wristwatch by Omega, which featured in various action scenes in Skyfall, had an auction estimate of £6,000 – 8,000, yet sold for £157,250—signifying the high interest and demand for the piece. Most lots sold for a price well beyond their original estimate—a pair of swimming trunks by La Perla, worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale sold for £44,450, while the Complete Works of Ian Fleming, as donated by the Fleming family, sold for £91,250.
FINE CLOCKS AND DAZZLING JEWELS Bonhams auction house also claimed its share of successful sales. An intricately decorated musical clock, once owned by Egypt’s King Farouk, sold for an above estimate price of £385,250 (estimated between £150,000 – 250,000) at the Fine Clocks sale on December 12, 2012. The exquisitely designed clock had been in the same family for at least 50 years and had not been seen on the auction market since 1954. At the Fine Jewellery sale on December 6, 2012, the prices reached were as dazzling as the gems on offer. A stunning pearl, diamond and emerald art deco brooch by renowned jewellers, Van Cleef and Arpels reached £1,138,850 while a c.1915 sapphire and diamond ring was also among the top lots, selling for £337,250 against a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 – 30,000.
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NEWS// AUCTION SHOWCASE
UP AND COMING AUCTIONS LIGHTS-CAMERA-ACTION Julien’s Auctions is proud to present a major Hollywood Legends auction on April 5-6, featuring memorabilia from the golden era of film and television. Highlights include the ‘Black Beauty’ car from the Green Hornet (estimated between $40,000 – 60,000) and an original genie bottle used on the first season of I Dream of Jeannie, (NBC, 1965–1970) – estimated between $60,000 – 80,000. Other lots that bidders will no doubt be eager to snap up include an abstract painting by Frank Sinatra, a Superman IV Christopher Reeve flying suit, a Marilyn Monroe cocktail dress, and a Wizard of Oz munchkin flowerpot hat.
AU BORD DE LA MER
ROY DAVIDS COLLECTION The last known handwritten poem by John Keats is one of the star items in the sale of the Roy Davids Collection Part III: Poetry: Poetical Manuscripts and Portraits of Poets, which will be held in two parts on April 10 and May 8 at Bonhams. The Keats manuscript is from the draft of his well known early poem, I Stood Tiptoe on a Little Hill, and consists of 33 lines from the work, scribbled on both front and back, showing how the poet revised his thoughts as he wrote. This is the only poetical manuscript by Keats now ever likely to be available to collectors and it is estimated between £40,000 – 45,000. •
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© Bonhams; Christie’s Images Ltd 2013; Julien’s Auctions
Presenting the essence of Haute Elegance, three private collections from St. Tropez, Antibes and a private villa in Switzerland will be offered at Christie’s London on April 17. With estimates ranging from £1,000 to 150,000, these stylish works – ranging from Impressionist and Modern works to Chinese Ceramics and Carpets – will appeal to discerning international collectors and decorators alike, with the sale as a whole expected to realise a figure in the region of £1.5 million.
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WATCHES // STYLE & DESIGN
Truly Timeless Watches—both of the vintage and modern kind—have proven themselves in recent years to be one of the most vibrant commodities on the world auction stage—turning the simple timepiece into a real record breaker. By Kathryn McCann
T
he first dedicated sale of wristwatches was conducted by Sotheby’s auction house in 1980, well before wristwatch collecting became the worldwide phenomenon it is today. However, interestingly the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction was actually set by a pocket watch: The Patek Philippe No. 198.385 Henry Graves Supercomplication, which sold for more than $11 million. The timepiece was the top lot in the Sotheby’s sale of the important Masterpieces from The Time Museum Collection that realised a total of $58.6 million—proving that nostalgia can be considered a key component in today’s auctions.
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This 1963 Patek Philippe 18K gold world-time wristwatch achieved a new world auction record, selling for $1,022,500
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style & design // watches
A vintage selection This is not the only record set by luxury brand Patek Philippe in an auction for vintage timepieces. During the Christie’s auction season, a 1963 Patek Philippe 18K gold world-time wristwatch achieved a new world auction record, with a winning bid of $1,022,500 at Christie’s New York, while an exceptionally rare 1987 chronograph from Eric Clapton’s collection sold for $3,635,808 at Christie’s Geneva. Both these sales set world record prices at their individual auctions respectively. In addition to Patek Philippe, a rare 18K gold precision with two movements manufactured by Breguet & Fils, Paris, also sold at Christie’s Geneva for $4,686,120—proving that other luxury watch brands have the capability to set their own world records.
Sotheby’s saw the same unprecedented sales, with watches sometimes breaking three records at one time during the season. Commenting on the autumn sale results, Geoffery Ader, Head of Watches, Sotheby’s Europe declared: “These strong results demonstrate that the market is driven by exceptional pieces. The prices achieved by our two top lots—two minute-repeating wristwatches by Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin—are a further testimony to the collectors’ twin desires for rarity and high quality. Made by the most important watchmakers in Geneva in the 1940s and 1950s, one of the richest periods in modern Swiss horological history, these watches encapsulate the essence of vintage wristwatches—the style and elegance.”
This extremely rare 2001 Patek Philippe platinum double-dialed wristwatch with 12 ‘complications’ sold for $1,503,839 setting a world auction record for a modern wristwatch
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style & design // watches
“Timepieces are increasingly considered collectors’ items and great investments for the future.”
Modern masterpieces Like vintage timepieces, modern watches—particularly those of fine craftsmanship and luxurious design—have grown in popularity over the years and are continuing to reach high prices at auction. While many collectors often make their selection based on the status of the watch alone, brand recognition, quality and innovative design also prove key factors—with many watchmakers recovering and returning vintage distinctions to produce highly exclusive modern designs. During Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in 2008, an extremely rare 2001 Patek Philippe platinum double-dialed wristwatch, with 12 ‘complications’ sold for $1,503,839, setting a world auction record for a modern wristwatch, while a Millennium timepiece by George Daniels reigned triumphant at Bonhams auction in London last year. Created in 2000, the George Daniels 18K automatic calendar centre seconds wristwatch was one of just seven examples executed in white gold. Going for £157,250 ($247,747) the fine design set a new auction world record for a Millennium watch—proof, if needed, of the charm and allure of modern watch craftsmanship. Whether it’s vintage or modern, the market for mechanical watches is continuing to grow, as timepieces are increasingly considered collectors’ items and great investments for the future.
This rare 18K gold precision with two movements manufactured by Breguet & Fils, Paris, sold for $4,686,120
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style & design // watches
watches // style & design
“The mechanical watch market is somewhat comparable to the market for art pieces–it is constantly growing as the richness in the world grows, and so does the request for beautiful and rare items.” – Rossella Savoldi, Armand Nicolet
“We have to consider that a mechanical watch isn’t an instrument that people need, but it is a piece of art, it is not necessary for our everyday life, but it brings emotion to its owner and it’s also a long term investment,” says Rossella Savoldi at Armand Nicolet. “We can say that the mechanical watch market is somewhat comparable to the market for art pieces—it is constantly growing as the richness in the world grows, and so does the request for beautiful and rare items.” Savoldi believes that antique, one-off timepieces define what enthusiasts consider to be beautiful and rare. “The intrinsic artisan quality of mechanical watches is what high end watch brands focus on, to be able to offer products that are becoming more and more similar to pieces of art and as precious as jewels. At Armand Nicolet we have original movements from the 1950s and 1960s that we have restored and tuned to match today’s precision standards. We do not copy old movements. We restore and redecorate them with the original tools from 60 years ago and bring them back to life. We then feature them in our extraordinary Limited Edition Swiss Made timepieces.”
This exceptionally rare 1987 Patek Philippe chronograph from Eric Clapton’s collection sold for $3,635,808 at Christie’s Geneva
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Watch collectors aren’t only on the lookout for rare vintage and modern timepieces, but also place a high price on the next big thing—with Aurel Bacs, Head of Watches at Christie’s Geneva, stating that it’s not just a question of ‘name’ but rather one of advancement. “Everyone wants to know what quality watches now will gain value with time. There was a time a hundred years ago, when people asked ‘Pablo who?’ and more recently, ‘Damien who?’ it takes time to become a celebrated icon in the field and I think you have to consider the difference between innovation and radical innovation.” Whether the world’s top auction houses present vintage, modern or even future timepieces for sale, it is certain that records will continue to be broken again and again; proving that really great watches are truly timeless. •
© Christie’s Images Ltd 2013; Sotheby’s
The next big thing
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