This asset drives you drunk...

              Not only paintings… Brokers do go for Wine treasures!

Signature Cellars Sale, an online (only) auction has begun (23 May-6 June), through Christie’s New York.

BROKER’S AGENDA:

Château d'Yquem--Vintage 2005
Sauternes, 1er grand cru classé
In original wooden case
1 dozen bottles per lot

ESTIMATE: 3.000-3.000 dollars

WHAT COLLECTORS NEED TO KNOW:

Christie’s people know well that the wines of Chateau d’Yquem occupy a unique place in the history and appreciation of Fine Wine. They mention that those who truly love Bordeaux know that there are more Chateaux out there than those that make the headlines. 

This first offering from the Bordeaux Wine Collection presents ratings which outshine their price points, as you’ll see from Robert Parker’s scores and notes. Many of these are excellent, lovingly crafted wines, and often they reach maturity far sooner than their tannic and backwards First Growth brethren. All of the wines here come from recent vintages, perfect for drinking now or, in some cases, holding for a few more years.

The offering was bought on release direct from Bordeaux, has been stored in professional temperature-controlled wine storage ever since, and all comes in the original packaging, be it wood or carton.

BLUE SPONGE SELLS FOR 22,005,000 DOLLARS!

The monumental Sculpture éponge bleue sans titre, SE 168 by Yves Klein, set a new record for a sculpture by the artist, at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening sale. It sold for 22,005,000 dollars, and the sale  totaled $293,587,000, (82.8% sold-by-lot)!

 Sotheby’s directors observed that the global nature of today’s international art market was underlined with collectors from 35 countries registering to bid in the sale, 20% of whom were new to either Sotheby’s or the category.

BROKER’S AGENDA:

Sculpture éponge bleue sans titre, SE 168 by Yves Klein

Executed in 1959.

Dry blue pigment in synthetic resin on natural sponges, metal stem and stone base (height 44 3/8 in.112.7cm)

Provenance:

The Artist
Galerie Iris Clert, Paris
Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Meriden, Connecticut (acquired from the above in 1959)
Collection of Sidney Janis, New York (acquired from the above in 1986)                
Thence by descent to the present owner

WHAT COLLECTORS NEED TO KNOW:

Yves Klein's artistic contribution to contemporary culture is most frequently described as visionary, and the scope of his artistic innovations was utterly without precedent. The works he left behind are testament to a genius that perceived things others could not. SE 168 expedites the artist's career-long investigation into how to communicate these concepts through artistic means, and because his language is so utterly unlike any other and precipitates a unique response in each individual spectator, this profoundly engaging and immensely beautiful work will always transcend and surpass our expectations of what art can achieve.

And it’s just… a print!

This work by Bruce Nauman (b.1941) is called “Ah Ha”. It sold  at Bonhams, at the Print & Multiples Sale for 12.500  USD

It comes from Sundry Obras Nuevas Series (G. 606), 1975

BROKER’S AGENDA:

“Ah Ha” is a screenprint on Arches 88 paper, signed in pencil, dated '75' and numbered 26/44 (there were also 11 artist's proofs), with the blindstamp of the publisher, Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, printed by Robert Knisel, the full sheet, framed (sheet 29 1/8 x 41 1/8in).

What collectors need to know:

-Nauman is represented by Sperone Westwater Gallery, New York, and Galerie Konrad Fischer, Düsseldorf and Berlin.

-Best Nauman's auction records:

1992 Sotheby’s (New York), One Hundred Live and Die (1984) $1.9

1997 (Christie’s New York) Good Boy/Bad Boy (1986–87) $2.2

2001,  (Christie’s New York) Henry Moore Bound to Fail (1967 $9.9

Collector’s dog sells for 22,500 pounds

 “A spaniel with a dead partridge in a wooded landscape”, was sold yesterday at Christie’s (London). It came from the private collection from Eaton Square and Anouska Hempel.

BROKER’S AGENDA:

“A spaniel with a dead partridge in a wooded landscape”

English School, c.1750
oil on canvas
41¼ x 35 7/8 in. (105.4 x 91.2 cm.) 

Price realized:

£22,500 ($34,965)

Price estimate:

£20,000 - £30,000

Provenance:

Anonymous sale [The Property of a Gentleman]; Christie's, London, 15 July 1988, lot 4 as 'Attributed to John Wootton' (£41,800), anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 14 November 1997, lot 81 as 'Attributed to Stephen Elmer'. 

Leonardo DiCaprio & Christie’s go… wild !

The auction house announced an important partnership with the most beloved actor and environmentalist

Over 30 of today’s most important living artists from around the world have donated masterpieces, many of which were created especially for the auction.

Best quality works by 33 leading contemporary artists (Kai Althoff, Banksy, Peter Beard, Carol Bove, Joe Bradley, Cecily Brown, Dan Colen, George Condo, John Currin, Zeng Fanzhi, Urs Fischer, Walton Ford, Mark Grotjahn, Andreas Gursky, Sergej Jensen, Anish Kapoor, Bharti Kher, Sherrie Levine, Robert Longo, Adam McEwen, Takashi Murakami, Cady Noland, Raymond Pettibon, Elizabeth Peyton, Richard Prince, Rob Pruitt, Neo Rauch, Robert Rauschenberg, Ugo Rondinone, Sterling Ruby, Ed Ruscha, Mark Ryden, Julian Schnabel and Rudolf Stingel), will be offered at the 11th Hour evening sale on Monday, 13 May (7pm) in New York.

Heal the wild life
The 11th Hour auction is dedicated to protecting the last wild places on Earth and the critically endangered species that inhabit them. Funds raised at the event will go to innovative conservation projects selected by the LDF (Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation) that protect key ocean and land based ecosystems and engage local communities to protect their natural resources.

SPEND A FEW MINUTES… TO SAVE A LIFE

Since 1998, the Foundation has been working on pressing environmental and humanitarian issues through grant making, campaigning and media projects. Areas of focus include; wildlife and habitat preservation, healthy oceans, water access, climate change and disaster relief. The Foundation’s strategic approach to philanthropy for a better planet relies upon active collaboration with effective organizations as well as with other funders who share our goals and can magnify our impact.

For more information go to:

http://www.leonardodicaprio.com