Hearts a-Flutter: A gown to make sparks fly

Butterflies, dragonflies and diamonds, oh my! This wedding gown is not ideal for the bride with simple tastes or modest means. At US$1.6 million (HK$12.5 million), this creation by bridal designer Reem Acra is considered to be the most expensive wedding dress on the planet. Created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co., the gown’s hefty price tag can partly be chalked up to the butterfly and dragonfly brooches and Tiffany drop earrings adorning the bodice and skirt, which in total boast 165 carats worth of diamonds and 62 carats of gemstones. This fluffy princess gown is classically white, but upon closer inspection, hints of baby blue, pale pink and yellow can also be seen on the butterflies’ shimmering wings. It was just one of the dresses from Acra’s Spring 2018 collection, which was presented at Tiffany’s flagship store on 5th Avenue, New York City.

“Today we celebrate the glamour of a woman, and empowering women. All of this is really inspired by the Tiffany’s woman,” Acra said at the show. “It’s a woman that’s empowered, sexy, powerful, you name it. Who doesn’t want to look like this?” Indeed, most brides want to look like a million bucks on their big day – but shelling out that much on a dress is another story.

Preview: The top lots at Phillips’ upcoming art, jewellery auctions

Phillips auction house will hold two auctions on 28 May: the “Warhol in China” photography auction at 6 pm and the “20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design Evening Sale” at 7pm.

Rolling right through the weekend, Phillips will host the “Exceptional Jewels and Jadeite” auction on 29 May at 2:30pm, and the “Hong Kong Watch Auction: Four” on 30 May at 1pm and 6pm. All auctions will be held at the Mandarin Oriental.

Altogether, Phillips will be bringing the hammer down on over 200 lots. Here are just a few of the highlights to watch out for.

Andy Warhol photography collection

American artist Andy Warhol is well-known for his pop art paintings and drawings, but few knew he also took photos. A rare collection of 200 photographs that he snapped in China and Hong Kong during a 1982 trip will go under the hammer, with estimates starting at HK$80,000. According to Jonathan Crockett, deputy chairman of Phillips Asia, “These candid shots are dynamic, exciting and fun but also weighty in their historical importance, as Warhol was able to immortalise China during a transitional phase in the country’s history.”

Last Warrior / The Unknown Soldier by Yoshitomo Nara

Valued at between HK$20 million and $30 million, this painting is the star lot of the contemporary art auction. The painting, considered to be Japanese Neo-Pop, depicts an ornery, doll-like girl on a monochrome backdrop. The image invites viewers to recall their youth and tap into their own defiant spirit.

Eating #4 by Zhang Enli

This oil on canvas painting is a masterful interpretation of human psychology. It is considered to be one of the best pieces from Enli’s Portrait series. Much of Enli’s work was inspired by German Expressionism, and he endeavoured to depict the inner struggles of ordinary people. The painting’s price estimate is HK$6 million – 8 million.

Miss Blanche chair by Shiro Kuramata

More than just furniture, this chair by Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata is a piece of art that is sure to spruce up any room. The transparent chair, designed in 1988, features artificial roses embedded in resin. Only 56 pieces were produced, and some can be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and M+ Museum in Hong Kong. Its price estimate is HK$2.2 million – 3 million.

Blessed Blossom ring

This ring, featuring a so-called Burmese pigeon blood ruby, is valued up to HK$20 million. The stunning, oval-shaped ruby – weighing 6.02 carats – is encased in a flower made up of diamonds. The crimson ruby, hailing from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar, is astonishing in colour. Its quality and size are both rare and highly coveted.

Secret Pink ring

There’s something about a pink diamond that’s just so irresistible. This ring boasts a 4.23-carat internally flawless, antique fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond. If that weren’t enough, there’s also a 1.39-carat fancy vivid pink diamond underneath the larger diamond. So really, you get two rare diamonds for the price of one–as long as you don’t mind forking over up to HK$55 million.

Patek Philippe Reference 3670 watch

This rare timepiece is one of several Patek Philippe models that will be up for grabs at the watch auction. This stainless steel model has an original 1950’s movement, and it’s one of the brand’s rarest serially produced modern watches. When it was first produced, it was designated an “application” watch, reserved for loyal VIP clients only. Its estimate is HK$4.5 million – 7 million.

Cartier watch

For ladies, this gem-encrusted “Tutti Frutti” watch is sure to be an attention-getter. Cartier first started using the Tutti Frutti design in 1901, embedding rubies, sapphires and emeralds into leaf designs and berry shapes. The Mughal-inspired design still remains en vogue to this day. Its estimate is HK$1.2 million – 1.6 million.

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Text: Emily Petsko

Bronze artefact sells for US$37.2 million

During China’s Shang Dynasty, the production of elaborate and beautiful bronze vessels was perfected and elevated to an art form. Unique shapes and detailed motifs characterise these guangs (ritual vessels) used for ancestral worship or special banquets. The allure of these regal receptacles remains stronger than ever. For evidence of their timeless appeal, look no further than from the late Shang Dynasty (13th-11th centuries BC), which sold for US$37.2 million during the auction house’s Asian Art Week. Not only was the price more than four times its pre-auction estimate, but it also set a new auction record for an archaic bronze piece.

The vessel is decorated with taotie (monster masks) – a characteristic design of the period in which a face is split down the centre, creating two profiles. It also features a number of mythical birds and kui dragons, some of which are curiously adorned with elephant trunks or hooked beaks. This fang zun-style vessel was just one of the highlights of Christie’s ‘Important Chinese Art from the Fujita Museum’ auction in New York. Another item, a rare bronze ritual wine vessel in the shape of a ram – also from the late Shang Dynasty – sold for a none-too-shabby US$27.1 million. The elaborately engraved ram is decorated with kui dragons, a taotie mask, crested birds and crouching tigers – a truly majestic sight.

Artful Dodger: Auction of a long-hidden artwork

A painting by renowned modern artist CY Twombly will finally see the light of day, after 25 years hidden away in a private collection. The distinctive graffiti-like work entitled Leda and the Swan – painted in 1962 – along with a sister painting will be offered at auction for the first time. The works will make up the star lot at an auction on 17 May, at Christie’s post-war and contemporary evening sale. Leda and the Swan, which has only had two owners in its history, has a pre-auction estimate range between US$35 million and US$55 million.

“Impregnated with paint passionately and poetically applied with the hand, brush and stick, Leda and the Swan is one of the most vital canvases created during this transformative period in the artist’s career,” said Koji Inoue, international director of the auction house’s contemporary department. “Given its tremendous importance within the context of both Twombly’s oeuvre and the canon of post-war art, we are honoured to offer this work to the market after nearly 30 clandestine years.”

If the estimates are anything to go by, the work could conceivably break the record for a Twombly work at auction. The current record price for a work by the American painter stands at US$70.5 million, set when Untitled (New York City), was sold in November 2015. The 1968 painting is one of Twombly’s famous ‘blackboard’ works.

Lasting Legacy: Ex-director of The Macallan on the world’s most valuable whisky

Sotheby’s recently held an auction in Hong Kong where the Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection – a set of six crystal decanters containing the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged from 50 to 65 years old – sold for US$993,000 (HK$7.7 million).

David Cox, who recently retired as director of fine and rare whiskies for The Macallan, flew into Hong Kong for the ‘Finest & Rarest Wines and The Macallan’ auction.

David, who worked in the scotch whisky industry for 35 years, played a lead role in the development of The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series.

We spoke to David after the auction about the Six Pillars, brand identity and how The Macallan is received in Hong Kong and China.

How did The Macallan establish such a strong brand identity?

Before The Macallan was marketed as a brand in the 1980s, the product had long been admired and sought after by blenders as a ‘top dressing’ single malt. It was also popular among a small number of consumers who enjoyed its distinctive rich, full-flavoured character, much of which owed to The Macallan’s use of sherry casks from Spain for maturation.

Since that time, what was something of a cult-like following by a few has turned into an ever-growing loyalty by many around the globe. This is down to the merits of The Macallan’s product reaching a wider audience through active engagement with trades and consumers. This engagement is grounded in some product truths – the Six Pillars – which have been consistently talked about and understood by trades and consumers. Consistency has therefore been critically important, which is based on a great appreciation of outstanding and distinctive product quality.

Have you tweaked the brand at all for the China and Hong Kong markets?

We maintain the prestige and luxury positioning for all markets across the world. It is arguably the most precious whisky in the world, substantiated by the multiple world records of ‘The Most Expensive Whisky Ever Sold In Auction’ by The Macallan 64 Years in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter and The Macallan Imperiale 6L M-Decanter Constantine.

How’s The Macallan received in China and Hong Kong?

The Macallan is received exceptionally well across Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. The consumers are basically professional, upper income and high net-worth individuals. The brand also has a good following among younger consumer groups, which is a visible trend in Asia among single malts.

The younger consumers are more open in terms of trying new categories of drinks, single malts among the many they are experimenting with. They collect, collate, categorise, compare and conclude which ones they prefer and for what occasions.

What’s the biggest challenge for The Macallan in this region?

Supply has always been an issue.The challenge is to always stay vigilant, always aim to be better and to always put consumers at heart. We always remind ourselves to stay close to our customers, be relevant to consumers and be aware of any changes in the market.

What is The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars collection?

It is a celebration in crystal decanters filled with some of The Macallan’s oldest and rarest whiskies – the oldest was filled to cask in April 1945.

The Macallan’s Six Pillars are six facets of The Macallan which, when taken together, help explain the distinctive, rich character of the whisky.

What exactly did you do in your lead role in the development of The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series?

I was introduced to Lalique back in 2004, and at the time my plan was to develop a series of decanters in crystal to celebrate the six pillars, releasing one every other year, making this a 12-year project.

I was immediately struck by the extraordinary artistic legacy of Lalique and felt they would not only deliver an outstanding series of unique crystal decanters, but that we also shared many values which would ensure a partnership of understanding and longevity. I am delighted to say this proved to be the case.

You were in Hong Kong for the auction at Sotheby’s. How did it go?

The result exceeded our expectations. The combination of The Macallan’s unrivalled reputation in single malt whisky, allied to Lalique’s artistic inspiration, helped to ensure that the Legacy Collection, the only complete collection of Six Pillars decanters ever released by The Macallan, achieved a world record hammer price for a single lot at auction. Most satisfying of all, though, is the proceeds will be divided equally among five charities.

The Hong Kong charities are:

Society for the Community Organization, which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong.
Food Link Foundation, which specialises in coordinating food needs for disadvantaged families in Hong Kong.
Crossroads Foundation, which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong, specifically helping unemployed people who lack the required skill sets between jobs.

The regional charities are:

Watsi, which provides support to those in need of medical and surgical support and works globally and regionally.
One Sky Foundation, which supports orphans in Asia-Pacific.

Each of the five charities will receive a 20 percent donation of the net proceeds. The first three charities are based in Hong Kong and the last two work in Asia-Pacific, so Hong Kong charities will share 60 percent and Asia-Pacific charities will share 40 percent of the net proceeds.

In 2015, The Macallan was the most valuable whisky brand at auction, why do you think that was?

The Macallan has been the most valuable whisky brand at auction ever since the first whisky auctions were held in Scotland in the late 1980s. I think it derives from a combination of our great reputation, a track record of high prices and ever increasing value and, in the case of some Macallan products at auction, of scarcity.

Text: Andrew Scott

Beguiling box: How to proffer a proper coffer

What’s the hardest part of owning the world’s most expensive jewellery box? Perhaps it’s the task of finding items of jewellery that are lavish enough to be deemed worthy of storing inside such an extravagant receptacle. However, it’s safe to assume that anyone who would splurge US$3.5 million (HK$27.2 million) on a box would not hesitate to splash out on some truly divine gemstones.

Whatever the case, the Flower of Eternity Jewellery Coffer by Swiss diamond house Mouawad is truly for lovers of the finer things. Unveiled at the recent Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, the 18-carat gold and silver box is encrusted with an enviable number of white and yellow diamonds, white and pink sapphires, rubies and lapis lazuli. Its delicate, heart-shaped flower petals are said to symbolise eternal love.

The coffer’s claim as the most expensive jewellery box has already been verified by The Guinness Book of World Records – and it’s not the first time Mouawad has earned such a distinction. The jeweller has previously crafted the world’s most valuable necklace, handbag and bra. Its diamond necklace modestly dubbed “L’Incomparable” features the world’s largest internally flawless diamond and costs a none-too-shabby $55 million. Similarly, its diamond-encrusted Very Sexy Fantasy Bra sports a price tag of $11 million.

Canny bidder bags small wonders

A set of eight miniature bags made by the French fashion giant Hermès sold for HK$2.5 million at a record-breaking auction at Christie’s Hong Kong. The bespoke collection features miniatures of full-size handbags in the range, notably many of the brand’s most iconic and classic models. The Roulis, Kelly, Toolbox, Farming, Faco, Constace, Bolide and the world-famous Birkin were all represented.

The elegant collection is collectively known as the “Leather Forever Japan Star Bags” and – prior to the auction – were on display at Tokyo’s National Museum for Hermès as part of the Leather Forever exhibition in 2014. Dubbed the “ultimate gift for any bag lover,” each model is created in a 15cm version of the brand’s iconic larger counterparts. Made using the finest skins, each bag is finished in a bold, pop-out hue, including cherry red and candy pink.

The rest of the auction was also a resounding success with the final tally totalling around the HK$41 million mark. Matthew Rubinger, a Christie’s senior vice-president, put it down to the quality of the lots “that appealed to both new buyers and established collectors,” adding that “the strong sell-through rates were generated from active in-room, phone and online bidding, predominantly by Asian buyers.”