Hermès bags: How much is too much for a clutch?

With handbags now just as valued for their aesthetic appeal and investment value as for their durability and capacity, it should be no surprise that at the very forefront of this trend are two of the very finest examples of lady luggage ever produced by Hermès, the Paris-headquartered high-fashion luxury goods manufacturer – the Birkin and the Kelly.

Indeed, these two collections alone account for 90% of all the haute couture handbags that ever come up for auction. Their auctionability, though, is down to much more than just their desirability, with availability also playing a huge role. Typically, even those fortunate enough to get on a waiting list will have to endure a two-year interval before their very own Hermès materialises.

Inevitably then, this has inspired a bristling resale market, with many haute couture hankerers only too happy to pay well over the odds to secure their preferred choice of Hermès clutch. Even against such a backdrop, though, it is still somewhat remarkable that a joint lot of two 2010 Birkins went for a massive US$330,000 at the recent Handbags and Accessories Sale held by Christie’s Hong Kong.

Zao’s Wows: Abstract works by Zao Wou-Ki go for unrecognisable figures

One artist above all dominated proceedings at Christie’s Hong Kong’s 20th Century Asian & Contemporary Art Sale – Zao Wou-Ki, with many of the esteemed abstract master’s works going for well beyond their original estimates.

One such piece was the enigmatically titled 14.12.59, which eventually went for a remarkable US$22.5 million, nearly double its initial estimate. Tellingly, even those unsteeped in the arcane nuances of the fine arts world confessed themselves drawn by the primeval force of this painting by Zao Wou-Ki, with its bold red and black hues embodying passion, fire, blood and life itself.

02.11.59, another of the Beijing-born artist’s classic works in oil, which sold for US$12 million, again reflects the battle between the light and the dark, one of Zao’s most abiding motifs. With both works completed in 1959, part of their value is derived from the rare insights they offer into the late painter’s more mature artistic vision. With the value only set to soar as the posthumous reputation of Zao Wou-Ki continues to build, his works seem to offer that rarest combination – aesthetic delight and escalating investment value.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Holy Expensive: Prayer book attracts angel investors

While the wisdom of the Almighty may be freely available to all those willing supplicants who earnestly seek it out, the prices of religious manuscripts and prayer books from times Medieval and Renaissance are really rather sinful – a truth that was self-evident at a recent Sotheby’s London auction.

With the sale dedicated to such highly sought-out prayer books, as well as to antique Continental and Russian religious tracts, the lot most longed-after was the Breviary of Marie, a Roman Catholic prayer book dating back to around 1360. Once the property of Marie of France, the Duchess of Bar (1344-1404), this exquisitely illustrated volume went for a truly divine US$790,000. Commissioned by Marie’s father, King John II of France, prior to Marie’s marriage to a French nobleman, the finished volume came complete with Italian miniatures, heraldic shields, illuminated borders and the Duchess’ own coat of arms.

The value of the prayer book was further enhanced by the fact its contents were written in Latin in the style of Jean Pucelle, one of the most renowned Parisian illuminators of the 14th century, while also featuring several full-page depictions of the Duchess at prayer.

Alfa Romeo Tipo B Grand Prix Monoposto: High Speed Laps of Luxury

As any true car connoisseur will willingly testify, classic racing cars are the true aristocrats of the automotive world. Recognising this, this year’s Festival of Speed – Bonham’s annual car auction where classic gas-guzzlers across the globe go under the gavel – saw keen bidders battling it out to secure the vintage vehicle of their dreams.

Undoubtedly, one of the most remarkable cars up for auction was a 1932-1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Grand Prix Monoposto, previously owned by Richard Shuttleworth, the legendary British racing driver and aviator. Arriving just in time for the 1935 race season and coming courtesy of Italy’s Scuderia Ferrari quasi-works team, the car secured its place in the record books that very year, smashing all previous fastest lap times at the Donnington Grand Prix and easily outpacing two Type 59 Bugattis, its close second cousins in the Ferrari family. With such a pedigree, it was no surprise that this remarkable roadster eventually changed hands for an astonishing US$6 million.

Old Master Q Drawings fetch astronomical prices at recent auction

Nostalgia gripped Hong Kong this August as comic artist Alphonso Wong Ka-hei’s Old Master Q 2.0 comic series went under the hammer at a Sotheby’s online auction recently for an astonishing HK$650,000, five times over its original estimate!

In the early 1960s, Alphonso Wong Ka-hei began his Old Master Q comic series, which went on to enjoy a meteoric rise to fame, thanks to the social and cultural narrative of the series. His legendary characters, Old Master Q, Big Potato, Mr. Chin and Miss Chan became a symbol of Hong Kong’s culture, forming the collective childhood memory of entire generations. In 1995, Alphonso’s son, Professor Joseph Wong, took up the mantle and founded the Old Master Q Company.

The exhibition showcased original works by both generations of the Wong family, including Alphonso Wong’s early colour covers and comic strips. Jonathan Wong, Gallery Director, says: ‘We are fortunate enough to present the earliest existing Old Master Q cover artwork on our online auction platform, allowing participation from collectors and fans around the world. Through version 2.0 of the series exhibition, we hope to express our sincerest tribute to Alphonso Wong, and to share with the audience the nostalgia of old Hong Kong.”

The Bonhams Whisky Sale returns to Hong Kong with liquid gems from across the globe

Good news for whisky connoisseurs! The annual Bonhams Whisky Sale is taking place in Hong Kong on 17 August. Daniel Lam, Head of Fine Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong, says: “[This] is a wonderful opportunity to acquire the finest of Japanese whiskies and some of the most sought-after names in Scotch whisky such as Macallan, Port Ellen and Ardbeg.” A rare first edition of Yamazaki 50 years-old leads the Bonhams Whisky Sale. We round up some of the highlights from the sale:

A Yamazaki 50 years-old, estimated at HK$1,800,000-2,400,000, which was matured in casks made from Japanese oak before being released in 2005. Only 50 bottles have ever been produced, making it one of the scarcest of Japanese whiskies.

A bottle of Hibiki-Arita 35 years-old, estimated at HK$100,000-140,000, which was produced to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japan’s traditional porcelain production. Only 150 bottles were ever released.

Karuizawa Sumo Trio distilled in 1981, 1982 and 1983, estimated at HK$90,000-120,000, which were framed in a crafted humidor designed by Japanese woodblock illustrator Hachisuka Kuniaki. Only 340 sets were ever produced.

A bottle of 37 years-old Macallan Fine & Rare 1937, the second-oldest whisky from the Macallan Fine & Rare Series, estimated to fetch HK$ 260,000-320,000.

A vertical collection of annual releases from Port Ellen, an extremely sought-after lost distillery from Scotland. 17 bottles – from 2001 to 2017 – will be auctioned off for an estimated price of HK$280,000-360,000.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Lots of love: Bronzed statue of Indian goddess Parvati for sale

A little bit of long-lost Indian history finally resurfaced at Macey & Sons’ recent Antiquities auction in Hong Kong, when a solid bronze statue of Parvati, the Hindu fertility goddess, was expected to go for at least HK$850,000.

Dating back to the 13^th century during the late Chola-early Vijaynagar period, a time when bronze sculpting approached something of a pinnacle in India, the statue’s depiction of Parvati captures the very essence of this most worshipped of Hindu goddesses, with her conical crown recalling the country’s more mountainous landscapes, while her right hand is extended in her characteristic ‘flower-holding’ pose or mudra. Of all the divinities of the Hindu pantheon, she is among the highest-regarded, with her intervention as the goddess of love frequently beseeched by the faithful.

Standing 58cm tall and fashioned via a lost wax technique, the piece was almost certainly commissioned by one of the Chola monarchs, rulers known for their keen patronage of their arts. Many such tributes to the goddess Parvati are a common sight in majority of India’s Hindu temples to this very day.

Aston Martin 2014 Centenary Edition Vanquish reaches 007th gear in auction

As any true James Bond aficionado will happily testify, rather than titillating moviegoers with wanton violence or low-cut cleavages, the truly pornographic content of the 007 franchise comes in the form of its sleek, sexed-up supercars, vehicles that give a whole new meaning to auto erotica. Of late, the most car-horny of these sultry saloons has been the bespoke, midnight-blue Aston Martin 2014 Centenary Edition Vanquish currently owned by Daniel Craig, the premium Bond du jours.

Imagine then the erotic frisson occasioned among fans when this particular Bond buggy was announced as the centrepiece of Exception, a unique, one-off auction event staged by Christie’s New York earlier this year. With its inevitable ‘007’ number plate and the added bonus of a Craig-signed plaque, the road-ready ‘mint condition’ car was initially tipped to go for US$400,000 but, in the end, the winning bid – courtesy of an anonymous buyer topped US$468,500.

Upping the vehicle’s coveted quotient even higher is the fact that the ‘Centenary Edition’ is strictly limited to only a 100 cars, with each boasting a unique graduated paint finish and sterling silver Aston Martin wings. This particular Aston Martin Centenary Edition Vanquish was further customised based on Daniel Craig’s personal preferences; hence, the deep-blue, hand-stitched leather interiors – keeping in mind the actor’s favourite colours, a leather box of accessories, including Bang & Olufsen earphones in leather pouch, silver Aston Martin cufflinks and a silver roller-ball pen.

All proceeds went to The Opportunity Network, a charity dedicated giving a fresh chance to disadvantaged youngsters across the US, an initiative supported by both Craig and Rachel Weisz, his British-born actress wife.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

A big hand for Elvis: Omega owned by Elvis Presley breaks records

While Elvis has long been hailed as the King in rock’n’roll circles, his contribution to the world of haute horology has been somewhat less celebrated. It does, however, appear that when he was not rocking jailhouses or worrying about scuffing his distinctively coloured footwear, he was apt to collect precision timepieces, a number of which recently went up for auction in Geneva, including the rocker’s personal favourite – a white-gold Tiffany & Co Omega watch.

Described as the “most historically significant Presley-owned watch to ever to come up for auction” the 18K gold wristwatch – complete with a manually-wound calibre 510 movement and 44 brilliant-cut diamonds – was originally presented to Elvis by RCA in February 1961, as the label looked to commemorate the fact that their single best asset had passed the 75 million mark in terms of global record sales. Among his album releases in 1960, the hits that propelled him to the peak of his career that year included Are You Lonesome Tonight and It’s Now Or Never.

The incredible provenance of the Omega watch was further confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch, as well as a certificate of authenticity from Jimmy Velvet, the Founder/CEO of the Elvis Presley Museum.

Ultimately going for a whopping US$1.5 million, following an intensive round of highly competitive bidding, the watch set a new all-time record for an auctioned Omega. Despite the many keen offers from lifelong Presley fans, however, it was ultimately purchased by Switzerland’s Omega Museum.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Falangcai ceramic bowl from Qing dynasty sets record bowlsale prices

A small Falangcai ceramic bowl, believed to be commissioned by the Qing dynasty Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722), apparently ‘broke’ the Internet when it went under the gavel at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, ultimately selling for a truly staggering HK$238 million. Perhaps even more impressively, far from decrying its valuation as ludicrous, most leading art authorities seem to believe it is worth every cent, largely on account of its rarity and provenance.

Previously taking pride of place in the private collection of Henry M, Knight, a renowned 20^th century Brutish enthusiast for Chinese ceramics, this magnificently-crafted artifact, fetchingly decorated with an intricate floral motif and four turquoise quatrefoil lobes, enchants even those unaware of its singular history.

What makes it truly unique, however, is that it is thought to be have been decorated and glazed in the exclusive imperial workshops hidden away within the precincts of Beijing’s Forbidden City. Featuring the Emperor’s favoured design theme – Imperial Flower Garden – the bowl was almost certainly fashioned for Kangxi’s exclusive use, as indicated by the by the phrase ‘Kangxi yuzhi’ (‘Made by the Imperial Order of Kangxi’), which is still clearly discernible on its base.