Celebrity Life

Time and age are not the kindest masters. Fortunately, when it comes to whisky, only time can work the subtle changes that teases out a whisky’s truest beauty. In this respect, Royal Salute’s 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish is a contender for the belle of the ball. This exceptional scotch was crafted by Royal […]

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Bo Pilgrim and his wife called it Chateau de Pilgrim, but it is affectionately known as “Cluckingham Palace” in the town of Pittsburg in East Texas lake country.  The 43-acre French Renaissance estate was built by the late founder of Pilgrim’s Pride poultry products, Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, in 1992 as the family’s dream home.  Having passed […]

The post The 43-Acre Estate Of Pilgrim’s Pride Founder Lonnie Pilgrim Goes To Auction appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Lee Bouvier Radziwill (1933-2019) went down in history as one of the most elegant, refined, and cultivated socialites. She was not only Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ sister but also a princess, actress, interior designer, writer, art collector, and the ultimate social Swan. At the legendary Black and White masked ball at The Plaza in 1966, Lee […]

The post Christie’s is set to auction items from Lee Radziwill’s personal collection appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Best known for his candor and biting observations on food, culture and life itself, there's no question that the late Anthony Bourdain was one of the most influential chefs in the world. He amassed millions of fans from his critically acclaimed TV shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown, and now a collection of his personal belongings will be up for auction next month.

New York-based auction house Lark Mason Associates are overseeing the sale of the collection, which is expected to fetch up to HK$3.1 million (US$400,000) and features more than 200 lots including artworks, watches, books, furniture, manuscripts of his own work, and a steel-and-meteorite chef's knife, custom made by renowned American bladesmith Bob Kramer. It was designed and given to Bourdain in 2016. It will likely fetch between HK$31–$46,000 (US$4–$6,000).

[caption id="attachment_165201" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The custom-made Bob Kramer steel-and-meteorite chef’s knife, with a certificate to Anthony Bourdain | Image courtesy of iGavel Auctions[/caption]

The 'Property from the Collection of Anthony Bourdain' auction will be prefaced by three exhibits that will be held only in America: in New York; Savannah, Georgia; and New Braunfels, Texas. But fans can still bid internationally through the online auction, which takes place from 9th to 30th October 2019. Meanwhile, online previews will start from 2nd October on the iGavel Auctions’ website.

Highlights from the auction include the original manuscript of Bourdain’s first novel, A Bone in the Throat; an oil painting by contemporary Canadian artist and writer Brad Phillips titled Cristine and me as Still-Life; silkscreen prints by Welsh artist Ralph Steadman -- who was known for his satirically morbid illustrations; and paintings by American musician, painter, actor, director, and producer, John Lurie, one of which is titled The sky is falling, I am learning to live with it and was purchased just a week before Bourdain took his own life at the age of 61. The majority of artworks are expected to sell for approximately HK$39,000 (US$5,000) each.

[gallery size="full" ids="165202,165203"]

Sixty percent of the proceeds will go directly to Bourdain's wife, Ottavia Busia, and his daughter, Ariane. The remaining 40 percent will benefit the Culinary Institute of America, which Bourdain attended and graduated from in 1978, allowing students to spend a semester abroad or take part in the school's global cuisine classes.

The post You Can Bid for Anthony Bourdain’s Prized Knife at an Online Auction Next Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A post-war Alfa Romeo once part of the car maker's 1953 Le Mans effort is being auctioned off at a starting bid of US$5.5 million.

The post One of Four Surviving 1953 Alfa Romeo Race Cars Up For Sale appeared first on LUXUO.

When one of the world's greatest architects I.M. Pei -- whose designs included the Louvre's iconic crystal pyramid and Hong Kong's Bank of China Tower -- passed away last May at the age of 102, he left behind an incredible private art collection that he and his wife, Eileen, had amassed over the course of their 72-year marriage.

The 59-piece art collection will go to auction at British auction house Christie's and is estimated to fetch over HK$196 million (US$25 million). It includes paintings and drawings, in addition to paper and sculpture works by an impressive array of artists. Among them is American abstract expressionist Barnett Newman, French painter and sculptor Jean Dubuffet, English sculptor Henry Moore, and Chinese-French painter Zao Wou-Ki, whom I.M. Pei had developed a close friendship with since 1952 when they met at a gallery in Paris.

[caption id="attachment_162288" align="alignnone" width="1600"] 27.3.70 (1970) by Zao Wou-ki | Image Courtesy of Christie's[/caption]

The Pei family had great relationships with friends from the art world and the collection truly illustrates that.

[inline-quote author="Liane Pei, Daughter of Eileen and I.M. Pei"]"My parents' collection is a personal reflection of how they lived. They shared a deep curiosity about the world and I have wonderful memories of traveling with them. No matter the country, they always seemed to have friends, many of whom were artists, architects, gallerists and museum directors, ready to welcome them."[/inline-quote]

Top lots in Christie’s 20th-Century Asian art evening sale on 23 November in Hong Kong include two paintings by Zao Wou-Ki. One of which is a large oil-on-canvas titled 27.3.70 (1970), which is expected to sell between HK$38 million and HK$48 million (or US$4.8 million and US$6.1 million).

Their daughter Liane Pei recalls in her statement, "Whenever we were in Paris, we would visit Zao Wou-Ki, whom I always referred to as 'Uncle Wou-Ki,' to see his latest paintings."

[caption id="attachment_162289" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Wheelbarrow (1964) by Jean Dubuffet | Image Courtesy of Christie's[/caption]

Other coveted lots going under the hammer include colour field canvases by Barnett Newman named Untitled 4 (1950) and Untitled 5 (1950), which are estimated to sell for approximately HK$62 million (US$8 million) and HK$39 million (US$5 million) respectively. The artworks were gifted to Pei by Newman's wife Annalee in the mid-1970s and stem from a series of six paintings; three of which are currently in museum collections.

Another is Jean Dubuffet's La Brouette (1964), or The Wheelbarrow, which is at the heart of the artist's 12-year Hourloupe cycle. Dubuffet, who was another friend of the couple, created works that depicted everyday objects such as utensils, chairs, boats, and of course the wheelbarrow, which were some of the most visually captivating and imaginative paintings of his career. The Wheelbarrow is estimated to value anywhere from HK$3 million to HK$4.7 million (€350,000 to €550,000).

[caption id="attachment_162287" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Reclining Figure (1983) by Henry Moore | Image Courtesy of Christie's[/caption]

Other notable works include the recognisable monochromatic art of Franz Kline, prodigious Chinese artists Zhang Daqian and Qi Baishi, along with celebrated artists Willem de Kooning, Jacques Lipchitz, Xu Shiqi and Isamu Noguchi.

A selection of the artworks will be exhibited first in Paris from 13 to 17  September, before moving onto Hong Kong and Los Angeles in October. Thereafter, the full collection will be on view in early November in New York, before sales commence.

For more information about the collection and the upcoming auctions, visit Christie's website here.

The post Christie’s to Auction I.M. Pei’s HK$196 Million Art Collection appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Only 46 ever produced, models like this 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupe Aerodinamico were famed for their bespoke commissioned editions. This model retains its original finishing and interiors.

The post 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupe Aerodinamico Gooding and Company Auction appeared first on LUXUO.

Panerai's newly re-opened Piazza San Giovanni flagship boutique represents the fulfilment of a destiny that arose with the very first Radiomir.

The post Celebrating craft and history, Panerai re-opens its Piazza San Giovanni headquarters appeared first on LUXUO.

This week, a pair of vintage Nike running shoes was sold at a Sotheby's public auction for US$437,500 (approx. HK$3.4 million), when a collector splurged the heart-racing amount on what is known as the 'Moon Shoe'. Nicknamed after the footprint it leaves (similar to those left on the moon), this rare pair of sneakers set a new world  auction record for a pair of sneakers.

But why are they worth over HK$3 million?, I hear you asking. Well, the Nike Waffle Racing Flat was designed by Nike co-founder and acclaimed track coach Bill Bowerman for his runners at the 1972 Olympic Trials, and only 12 pairs were ever produced. Plus, this particular pair is the only known pair that exists in unworn condition. That's right, they've never been worn: the less-than-perfect appearance is, presumably, just a by-product of ageing.

Smashing the pre-sale estimate of US$160,000 (approx. HK$1.25 million) out of the auction house, the sale also shattered the previous record for a pair of sneakers. In 2017, a pair of signed Converse shoes worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan in the 1984 Olympic basketball final fetched a healthy sum of US$190,373 (approx. HK$1.5 million).

The successful bidder was 61-year-old Canadian investor and entrepreneur Miles Nadal who had already spent US$850,000 (approx. HK$6.6 million) on 99 other pairs of unique and hard-to-find shoes in a private sale last week. Nadal said of his collectable shoe stock-up: "I am thrilled to acquire the iconic Nike 'Moon Shoes,' one of the rarest pairs of sneakers ever produced, and a true historical artefact in sports history and pop culture."

 

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This was the first-ever auction dedicated to sneakers at Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Thanks to a collaboration with sneaker marketplace Stadium Goods, they were able to auction 100 pairs of the rarest sneakers ever produced, the results of which reflect how sneakers and streetwear culture are fast becoming the collectibles of choice. Sotheby's global e-commerce head, Noah Wunsch, added that he was “eager to see where this sale takes us, not only in future sneaker offerings, but also in other new luxury lifestyle areas.”

[caption id="attachment_155146" align="alignnone" width="1271"] Canadian Collector Miles S. Nadal | Image courtesy of Sotheby’s[/caption]

Nadal’s shopping cart also consisted of the 2011 and 2016 editions of Back to the Future Part II Nike shoes that were inspired by the 1989 sci-fi sequel starring Michael J Fox. Other footwear purchases included limited-edition sneakers by sport brands Air Jordan and Adidas, as well as hip-hop rapper Kanye West’s Yeezys. He plans to display his entire private sneaker collection in his Toronto automobile museum.

The post These Vintage Nike Sneakers Sold For HK$3.4 Million at Auction and Set a New World Record appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

One of the top 10 most important classic Jaguars has been resurrected and its now up for bids.

The post Resurrection of the Jaguar XJ13 on Auction appeared first on LUXUO.

The current spate of auctions of important watches continues into June and beyond with Bonhams Hong Kong’s sale, The Centennial Collection: 100 Years of Timepieces. Billed as “Asia’s largest collection of multi-brand timepieces ever offered at auction”, the sale -- which begins with the Hong Kong Watches 2.0 auction on June 12 and continues with further sales throughout the year -- includes more than 1,000 fresh-to-market pieces that date from the 1920s until the present day, at estimates ranging from an extremely attractive HK$3,000 into the millions.

The June 12 auction comprises more than 600 items, ranging from watches and clocks to pens and point-of-sale paraphernalia, all of which will be on public display from May 31 until June 12 in the Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery at Suite 2001, One Pacific Place. And from this incredible assemblage, which includes names such as A. Lange & Söhne, Heuer, IWC, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and Rolex, we’ve selected the following five watches that especially caught our eye -- and which we hope will pique your interest, too.

Lot 888: White-Gold, Diamond-, Sapphire- and Ruby-set GMT Master II, by Rolex, 2008

[caption id="attachment_146174" align="alignnone" width="2135"] Rolex[/caption]

Yes, we know that bejewelled Rolexes in precious metals are terribly infra-dig among the cognoscenti these days, but somehow we can’t help coveting this wholly OTT GMT Master II. So what if you can’t get hold of a steel one for love nor money? Show them you don’t give a hoot by flaunting this baby on your wrist. Estimate: HK$550–$850,000.

Lot 925: Platinum, Semi-skeletonised, Three-dimensional Double Tourbillon 30-Degree Wristwatch, by Gruebel-Forsey, Circa 2015

[caption id="attachment_146175" align="alignnone" width="2566"] Gruebel-Forsey[/caption]

In a substantial 48mm platinum case, with a three-dimensional skeleton dial that permits visual access to its fourcoaxial main barrels and double tourbillon carriage, this fabulously complex and exquisitely made timepiece could hardly serve as a better expression of the contemporary watchmaker’s art. Estimate: HK$1.8–$3 million.

Lot 987: White-gold, Minute-repeating Tourbillon Wristwatch, by Patek Philippe, 2014

[caption id="attachment_146176" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Patek Philippe[/caption]

Quite how Patek managed to squeeze a minute-repeater and a tourbillon into a 37mm case beggars belief. What’s no surprise, however, is that in spite of its white-gold officer-style case and black-enamel dial (which in some lighting appears almost blue), this rare three-hand watch is exquisitely pure and elegant in appearance, and reveals its tourbillon -- at six o’clock -- through a glazed case back. A case-side slide operates the dual-hammer minute repeater, which can delicately chime the hours, quarters and minutes. Estimate: HK$2.3 - $2.8 million.

Lot 1084: Oversized Stainless-steel Military Wristwatch, by A. Lange & Söhne, Circa 1941

[caption id="attachment_146177" align="alignnone" width="2389"] A. Lange & Söhne[/caption]

The word “oversized” is hardly sufficient to describe this rare and enormous -- as in 55mm diameter -- watch that was issued to German Luftwaffe pilots in World War II. Designed to be worn over a flying jacket, it was also fitted with an extra-long strap and features an oversize crown that could be adjusted while wearing gloves. Its movement also surrounded by an iron core, rendering it antimagnetic. Aside from the considerable patination on the hands and dial and, of course, its considerable heft, the design of this arresting timepiece could almost be contemporary. Estimate: HK$60,000–$120,000.

Lot 1176: Limited-edition Yellow-gold Speedmaster Chronograph Commemorating the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, by OMEGA, Circa 1969

[caption id="attachment_146178" align="alignnone" width="3183"] OMEGA[/caption]

Given the impending 50th anniversary in July of US astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s Moonwalk, during which he wore his official-issue Omega Speedmaster, what could be a more appropriate purchase than this yellow-gold, limited-edition commemorative Speedy, which was issued in the same year? We’re huge fans of Omega’s chrono in any case, but this one takes our breath away. Estimate: HK$130,000–$260,000.

The post 5 Watches We Desperately Desire From Bonhams’ ‘Centennial Collection’ Auction appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The much-anticipated Phillips Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale takes place today in Hong Kong. In preparation, we invited some of our special friends to JW Marriot Hotel Hong Kong for an exclusive private preview of the exceptional lots on sale.

Going under the hammer are some of the world’s rarest pieces, including a 41-carat D Flawless Ashoka cushion-cut diamond; an extremely rare pair of Harry Winston Kashmir sapphire diamond earrings in the maison’s iconic cluster design, each centrestone weighing over five carats each; an Art Deco lattice weave bracelet composed of 47 carats of rubes and 14 carats of diamonds; and a magnificent cabochon jadeite ring with an oval-cut halo surrounding.

You can view the entire Jewels and Jadeite Spring Auction here, but first have a look at the photos from our private preview last week.

[gallery ids="145455,145453,145445,145443,145454,145450,145444,145456,145447,145449,145452,145451,145448"]

The post Gallery: Phillips Jewels & Jadeites Auction Private Preview appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.