Last Sales Before Christmas

As Cordy's have put it; go to an auction to buy your Christmas gift, its more fun than the mall!  They have a special Christmas sale on Monday the 16th.  Art+Object have art, taxidermy, Modern Design, Asian Art, Tribal and Decorative Arts sales today and tomorrow.  Webb's have A3 art, jewellery, and books over this week.  Don't forget the great shop Flotsam & Jetsam for that unique gift too.

Horns the Centrepiece of the Latest Webb's Interiors Sale at $680,000

Lot 622 Interiors Sale Thursday 17th October

UPDATE:  The horns sold last night for an amazing $680,000!  It is thought that this is the most expensive antique piece ever sold at auction in New Zealand.

The latest Webb's Interiors Sale is now available to view at their auction rooms and online here.  The star of the show is certainly this pair of carved Rhinoceros horns from the late 19th century.  Estimated to sell for between $125,000 and $150,000.

Latest Kerry Taylor Catalogue Online Now

One of London's most well regarded vintage clothing auctions 'Kerry Taylor's' catalogue is here now.

Cordy's Antique Catalogue Out Now

Cordy's September auction is on next week and the catalogue and all information is available here to peruse. 

Getty Provides Images In Open Content Format

Chair Naples c1760 Getty Collection

The Getty Museum has now opened thousands of images from their collection for free download to be used with few restrictions.  Have a look here for a beautiful image or two.

Down To Christchurch Until Thursday 22nd

Hello, just letting you know I am away from my desk until next Thursday the 22nd.  Please email or leave a message in the meantime and I will get back to you on my return. Thank you.

Webb's Suite of Sales Now Online

Lot 97 Interiors Sale 19th C Navy Trunk $400-600
 

Webb's have their suite of sales now online including; Art, Jewellery and Interiors.  The Interiors/ Antique section includes a historic maritime collection.  See all the catalogues and info here.

Trelissick House Collection To Be Sold by Bonhams

Lot 322 Victorian Japanned Desk Est: 5,000-8,000 pounds

The beautiful English Country Estate of Trelissick House is up for auction next week. Helpfully, for admirers in another country we can search the catalogue and view the online video here.  It is an amazing collection to browse through.

Cordy's Catalogue Out Now

Lot 190 John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908) Scene of waka and Tongariro Est $800

Cordy's monthly antique auction catalogue is out now featuring the Redmond collection of Doulton porcelain.  All details and the catalogue download are here. It takes place next Tuesday (16th) evening.

$75,000 Rhino Horn Cup Found In Op Shop For $4

Another one of those 'amazing find' stories from Australia.  Read the full story at Stuff.com via The Age here.

A Million Dollar Donation To the Timeball Station Lyttelton

A million dollar gift by Landmark Inc. Auckland means the Timeball Station in Lyttelton which was destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake will be rebuilt.  The press release is here.

"Our Structure Is Very Beautiful" Sells For $6 million US

Crick's 1953 letter to his son illustrating the newly discovered double helix will be sold in a three lot sale at Christie's New York estimated at $US1-2 million dollars.  Read the Christie's article here. 

Princess Diana's Historic Dresses To Be Auctioned in London

Kerry Taylor Auctions continue their amazing success in the vintage costume market.  Their next sale is comprised of ten of Princess Diana's dresses including this midnight blue velvet one pictured, worn when dancing with John Travolta at a State Dinner at the White House in 1985.  Estimates are at between 200 - 300,000 pounds.  The auction is on March 19th. See catalogue online here.  The dress sold for 240,000 pounds.

Captain Cook's Pistol Sells For $227,000 in Australia

This early 18th C Continental flintlock pistol was on offer at Charles Leski auction house in Victoria this week.  The gun was in the Cook family for more than 200 years before being purchased at an auction in Edinburgh in 2003 by former Melbourne Lord Mayor Ron Walker.  It was estimated at AUD$100,000 - $200,000 and sold to a private collector in Victoria for $227,000 (incl. BP).  The piece was catalogued as being "a rare and compelling offering that is without peer".

Happy New Year

Hope you had a great break.  I am now back in the office  (perhaps a little intermittently for the summer.)  Feel free to email me with any queries.