Daniel Radcliffe sure has the best of both worlds – the magic one as well as the one that we all live in. This piece is about the latter. News is that the Harry Potter superstar has just emerged as a pretty serious player on the Big Apple property market. Well for starters he has just bought his third asset in NY that is worth  £4 million. Quite a match for HP co-star Rupert Grint  who bought his fourth home recently, this house has quite an enviable layout.

Spread across a sprawling 3,000 sq. ft, the new house has five lavish bedroom spaces with a 39ft long garden. We are told that this house was built by a sea captan in 1847 for his daughter. So, once can expect a lot of old world charm in this abode.

Read More

In the times when art isn’t particularly selling, Sotheby’s is able to keep that smile on its face. Reason? Well, it seems that this is the only art auction house that isn’t particularly affected by the fall in the art market. We just heard that the house has got its hands on spectacular pieces crafted by Alberto Giacometti and Andy Warhol for its next month’s sales.

Reportedly, we have been hearing that collectors are holding on to their artefacts in this unfavorable economic atmosphere. The hope is for a recovery that will translate into big bucks for them. That said, we are quite impressed by Sotheby’s ability to nab such tremendous pieces.

Read More

Imagine a rug fetching a stunning price of $4.34 million. And this thing can be reality (in fact it is so) when the rug in question is the one of the famed ones from Safavid and apparently was a gift from the Safavid Persian court to the Ottoman Turks and must have been used for prayers by the blue blood too. Despite its age, the rug is in a remarkable condition. This artefact represents some gorgeous Persian handicraft and art which was particularly appreciated by Genoan and Venetian merchants.

Sold at Sotheby’s, the rug was expected to fetch anywhere between $130,000 and $192,000 or so claimed the Head of the Middle East & India Department at the store, Edward Gibbs.

Read More

Art experts like to believe that gifted designers like Emilio Pucci are born once in an entire lifetime. Now, that’s some serious honor we are talking about. Well, if you are wondering why then let us tell you that the famous creator and politician from Italy has a number of woolen rugs to his credit that display some very refined, never-seen-before kind of pattern and knitting.

And the rugs have made a long journey to reach to you. Originally made in Argentina by Dandolo & Leaders in Buenos Aires way back in 1969, they reached NY at the Museo de Arte Decorativo and later at Harmony carpets, and now they are available at Sotheby’s and Christie’s for an impressive price ranging between $6,905 and $17,775.

Read More

Brand Sotheby’s was not particularly benefited by the Contemporary art sale this spring. But we have just learnt that a day of tribal sales might have just revved up their spirits. If our sources are to be believed, then ‘The Sculptor’s Eye: African and Oceanic Art from the Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation’ has brought in close to $4,888,316 moolah. This was rather unexpected against the estimated $3-$4.4 million.

All proceeds will go to the foundation and Mimi Gross, the daughter of the sculptor. The art session included works from the collection of John Friede. It is believed that his 4,000-piece collection of Oceanic art is supposed to go the de Young Museum in San Francisco but that has been delayed because he owes $25 million to Sotheby’s. So, Sotheby’s has taken 54 objects of his and sold six of them for $2,393,500.

The picture above features Fang0Betsi reliquary head from Gabon that was sold for $506,500.

Via artinfo

Pablo Picasso can be hailed as one of the best painters in the modern era. His paintings spoke of a surreal reality that exists within our unconscious. The reason why his paintings are so valued today are because of the abstract reality that his paintings reveal. His paintings have usually been sold and bought for millions of dollars and none of them are going to be available anymore.

However, a rare portrait of his two and a half year old daughter Maya is going to go on sale next month in Sotheby’s impressionist and modern art auction in New York City. It is expected to fetch amounts anywhere between $16 million and $24 million.

Read More

Maurice Calka P.-D.G desk at the Sotheby’s 20th Century Design is an interesting piece of furniture that simply blows away your mind. It is estimated to cost between £60,000 and £90,000. It was designed in the 1969 and has a history to it.

It was originally designed for the Leleu Deshays LDD and is made of the best quality fiberglass and the chair swivels, as you want as it comes with adjustable mechanism. The reason why it is so expensive is because it is so rare. The sale will take place on the 28th of April, so you must hurry up and place your bid at the Sotheby’s.

Read More

Even in the times of the credit crunch, the world of precious jewels is rather upbeat these days. Reason? Well, a rare and flawless cushion-shaped blue diamond has asked the world to sit up and take notice. With an expected price ranging between $5.8 million and $8.5 million (£4.1m to £5.9m), this one means big bucks.

Going up on auction at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on May 12, the diamond is still nameless. In fact, it has been decided that the final buyer will get the golden chance of naming this one. Here is a little history on this blue ice. Discovered at Petra Diamonds’ Cullian diamond mine in South Africa, this one is 7.03ct and has been cut from a 26.58ct rough stone.

Read More

Famous luxury brand Sotheby’s saw a lot of excitement last week owing to a pair cool chairs. The 1938 original Zig Zag chairs in reference were designed by Gerrit Rietveld and had people falling in love with its modern contours at first sight. Perhaps, that will be much explained by the price it was sold at, which, by the way, is $40,625.

The simple yet creative chairs are made from painted wood and brass hardware keeping the cantilever concept in mind. Originally manufactured in Netherlands by Gerard van de Groenekan, De Bilt and later by Cassina in Italy, these chairs have broken pre-existing grounds paving the way for more modern approaches to home decor and furniture.
Read More

Here comes a perfect antique gift for your beloved. Featured above is a 206.82 carat sapphire pendant encrusted with diamonds to be auctioned at Sotheby’s auctyion house in Geneva, London. Designed by jeweller Cartier in 1951, the pendant formely was a part of collection of Britain’s Wallis, Duchess of Windsor. It is anticipated to fetch $1.1-1.5 million (Euros 6,97,000-9,50,000) on 15 May.