E-Type Brag: Jaguar’s record-breaking sale

A classic 1963 Jaguar was recently sold at Bonhams Scottsdale in the United States for a fuel-injected US$7,37 million (HK$57 million). The new owner – an anonymous telephone buyer – set the record for the most valuable post-1960 Jaguar ever to be sold at auction. It was the highlight of the annual Arizona Auction Week – which saw an overall auction value of US$36 million.

The car, a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition, was also the most valuable E-Type ever sold and a previous Australia GT Championship winner, no less. This particular version, with the chassis number S850667, is renowned for its design and the fact that it’s one of the most original factory Lightweight E-types in the world. As the 10th of 12 models built, it’s an extremely desirable automobile.

The hefty price tag may in part be down to the car’s peachy condition. The previous owner described it as having “never been disassembled or rebuilt in a significant manner.” A Bonhams Group Motoring director, James Knight, was also clearly delighted: “We were applauded by the market for assembling one of the finest selections of cars ever seen at Scottsdale,” he said. Aside from the Jaguar’s impressive sale, the overall auction also achieved an 82 percent sell-through rate – testament to the passion of the discerning motor-heads who attended the upscale car sale.

Oprah Windfall: Queen of chat’s billion-dollar bonus

Whether you call it the Midas touch or the Oprah Winfrey Factor, there’s no denying that everything touched by the iconic American talk show host seems to turn to gold. Oprah’s Book Club picks often become bestsellers, and the release of Oprah’s annual “favourite things” list sends her fans scurrying to the nearest mall.

It would also appear that anything the media megastar owns is equally valuable, as evidenced by her recent sale of a Gustav Klimt painting to an unnamed Chinese buyer for US$150 million (HK$1.2 billion). She originally purchased the painting for US$88 million back in 2006 – which at the time was the fourth-most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.

Even without the ‘O’ influence, the artwork in question, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II, is a bona fide masterpiece. Painted in 1912, the artwork depicts the Austrian artist’s friend and patron, Adele Bloch-Bauer – the wife of a wealthy Viennese industrialist. In 1938, the painting was seized by Nazis, who also made off with other items from the Bloch-Bauer family’s collection. After the war, the painting’s fraught history continued with lengthy court proceedings to determine its rightful owner – a legal battle so fierce that it inspired the 2015 film Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren. In 2006, the works were finally restored to the rightful Bloch-Bauer heirs, and subsequently sold to private collectors and, of course, the eagle-eyed Oprah.

Spring Sale: 7 stunning pieces from Sotheby’s auction

Among collectors, Sotheby’s spring auction in Hong Kong is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. This year was particularly significant because it was the first time Western contemporary art was offered at the evening sale, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The five-day event raked in a grand total of HK$3.17 billion.

Sotheby’s President and CEO Tad Smith said of the auction’s success: “Outstanding results in our traditional categories of Chinese ceramics and paintings were joined by records across a range of collecting fields including western contemporary art and jewellery, affirming Hong Kong as an anchor of the global art market.”

Here are some of the most remarkable items sold at the spring auction.

Mao by Andy Warhol

Mao is an iconic painting of an iconic leader, rendered by an equally iconic artist in his own right – American pop art pioneer Andy Warhol. It’s little wonder, then, that all eyes were on Mao at the spring auction. A private Asian collector bought the piece for HK$98.5 million, setting a record for any Western contemporary artwork ever sold at auction in Asia. The painting was expected to fetch HK$115 million.

The painting was created in 1973, a year after the historic moment when US President Nixon visited China and Chairman Mao.

Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by Zhang Daqian

In the Fine Chinese Paintings category, Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by late Chinese artist Zhang Daqian was the top seller, going for more than HK$31 million. Painted in 1967, the medium is splashed ink and colour on gold paper. The artist’s distinctive splashed-colour style (pocai) can be partly attributed to eye problems he experienced later in his career when his eyesight started deteriorating.

Fancy intense blue diamond ring

Another record setter in its respective category, this fancy intense blue diamond ring was snapped up for HK$37.2 million. The ring, set in white gold, boasts an emerald-cut, 3.13-carat blue diamond flanked by two step-cut diamonds and an oval band encrusted with circular-cut diamonds.

Dry-Lacquer Head of Avalokitesvara, Tang Dynasty

This sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist figure, went for HK$21.7 million. This extremely rare item was made using a dry-lacquer technique during the High Tang period, likely during the reign of Emperor Xuanzang (712-756). This particular piece is in near-pristine condition.

Explosion 64-1, Shimamoto Shozo

This colourfully chaotic oil on canvas painting by late Japanese artist Shimamoto Shozo sold for HK$20.5 million. The painting was created in 1964 using the artist’s signature ‘bottle crash’ method, in which glass bottles filled with paint are hurled at large canvases. As said best by the artist himself: “Even if my method seems shocking and violent – crushing bottles and shooting cannons at the canvas … I’m just working on creating beauty.”

Xuande Fish Pond lobed bowl

This fine china set a new auction record for early Ming porcelain when it sold for HK$229 million. It’s safe to bet that the buyer probably won’t be using it to serve up fried noodles. The tranquil scene depicts four fish swimming past lotus flowers: a carp, mandarin fish and two kinds of bream, all set in a beautiful cobalt blue.

The Macallan in Lalique – The Legacy Collection

For whisky collectors, The Lalique Legacy Collection is highly coveted. The collection features a set of six crystal decanters filled with The Macallan’s rarest single malts, aged 50 to 65 years old, plus six rare miniature bottles and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses. This exclusive, limited edition collection went for HK$7.7 million, setting a record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.

Text: Emily Petsko

Meet Andre Morkel, the gemmologist who doesn’t mince his words

Andre Morkel is chairman and CEO of Morkel & Sons Fine Jewellery and Consultants. He is also a founding partner and chairman of ADAMAS Fine Jewellers’ Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Did you grow up in Hong Kong?

Yes, I’m a fourth-generation Hong Konger. So that makes my kids the fifth generation. I have an elder son who is 15 and a younger son who is turning five. From the get-go, my great-grandfather was involved in stockbroking in Hong Kong. He was chairman of the stock exchange, and the majority of my family worked in broking. A lot of them were lawyers in the finance industry and worked in hedge funds. I wanted to do something different and branch out, which I guess makes me the black sheep.

Click here to watch the video

How did you break into the jewellery industry?

I went to a luncheon about 10 years ago with a very good friend, and it was there that I met the owner and chairman of Ryder Diamonds, Sally Ryder. The minute I met her we just clicked and she said, ‘Why don’t you come in?’ and I thought, ‘Why not? It looks interesting,’ so I dropped everything to take up gemstone training. From my first day, she threw me into the deep end. I had knowledge of gems and diamonds but not like this. She gave me all these stones and said, ‘Sort them.’ I said, ‘Sort what? There are hundreds of stones here. What do you want me to do?’ I eventually caught on, and the training was phenomenal. I began to understand how the guys in the workshop twisted the gold, how they did the moulding and how long it took. I used to – and still do – come back with cuts and bruises and burns.

Ever since we started ADAMAS, my partner and I have received a lot of enquiries for jobs because people think it’s a luxurious industry. But it’s also hugely hard work. Now, it’s getting harder and harder to convince clients to buy because the market is so saturated, and the majority of our clients are uber high-end and high net-worth, so they already have so much stock and don’t need anymore. We hit a roadblock with that last year, but we took a different marketing approach and the interest started sparking again.

“This ring was designed for our younger son – it’s dubbed the Avrae Dragon Ring, which means eternal fire”

Have you been hit by the recent downturn in the jewellery market?

It has been difficult at times. Last year, people were calling it the ‘death market.’ I don’t agree with that, but it was tough, absolutely. Every industry took a hit, not just the jewellery industry. In my mind, though, we just had to find a loophole. There’s always a way to manoeuver back into a market that’s in a slump to recapture some of your clients. There’s always cash somewhere.

I listen to (life success coach) Tony Robbins a lot – he’s one of my biggest mentors – and one thing he says is, ‘If you want to take the island, then burn the boat.’ And that’s what we did. We don’t compete against the ‘big guys’ – the large jewellery brands – but we find ways of supplying clients with products that are more attainable to their budget. A lot of people want that 5-carat gemstone and they’re adamant it must be Cartier branded, but we can supply something of equal calibre at a fraction of the cost. We started small but gradually grew over time to what we are now, and we’re doing considerably well given the current market. We have a small following of private clients, which is growing nicely.

What sets ADAMAS apart from other jewellers?

My passion is the stones themselves, the designs. A lot of retailers have nice stones, but the salesmen don’t understand what they’re selling half the time. I have suppliers globally, and I have a very good supplier based in Hamburg who flies to South Africa and sources stones from mines around the country. He sends me the most unique paraibas and the rarest tanzanites. That’s one of our selling points because I can send those rare stones to high net-worth clients – and not just the ladies, but also the guys. A lot of the guys want ruby and sapphire rings. They want Sri Lankan blues, Burmese blues and Muzo emeralds. The Muzo mines (in Colombia) are drying up now, so people are after Muzo emeralds.

“For my morning meditation, I have what I call my Bruce Willis Die Hard breakfast of cigarettes and two coffees”

The design is also key. I recently designed a piece for a high net-worth client using a rare paraibas that you will never find again. I designed it and we crafted it, which takes up to two months. It’s a one-off ring that’s never going to clash. That is crucial in Hong Kong, where ‘tai tai syndrome’ is a real concern. If you’re sitting at a big banquet and, God forbid, three tai tais are wearing the same ring, there’s going to be a big fight. So we ensure that we never make more than one. Everything is bespoke and customised to the client.

The problem with a lot of clients is they can’t visualise what a loose stone would look like as a piece of jewellery. If I give a client a loose ruby, she cannot visualise how it would look, and I can immediately see in my head what the jewellery should look like by the way she’s dressed, the way she looks, her smile or non-smile, whatever it may be. They say you can judge someone within 10 seconds of meeting them – I can look at a stone and straight away say that it needs to be set in rose gold, for example.

You’ve said that you don’t want a customer, you want a client. Can you elaborate on that?

A customer is someone who comes once. Whether they spend $2,000 or $5 million, I don’t care. I want them to be happy, and I want that phone call from them later on. A lot of businesses will ask, “How are the kids?” and they’ll call to wish you a happy birthday, and then – bam! – they suddenly ask if you want another ring. It’s typical, and you know it’s phony. With a client, there has to be sincerity and honesty, and that’s what we do. A lot of our clients know that my family has been through hell, so there are no false happy birthdays because they know I don’t have time for that. If I say it, I mean it.

What’s one of your favourite pieces of jewellery that you’ve designed?

This ring was designed for our younger son – It’s dubbed the Avrae Dragon Ring, which means eternal fire. It’s a tribute to his battle with cancer because he was born in the year of the dragon. I own lots of dragon-related items – my shoes, my belt, my keyring, my watch. The stone featured is a rubellite, which is said to bring good health and prosperity.

You’ve recently gotten more involved in raising awareness about cancer. How has your son’s diagnosis changed your life?

He’s doing chemotherapy, which certainly takes a toll. He started on 4 November last year, and his treatment was extended until November 2018. It’s pretty draining, especially because he is so energetic. He doesn’t take many breaks, which means no one in our house gets a break. We also have to be extra cautious when we go out because his immune system is shot, and he can easily pick up a virus.

At one point, I shaved my head to support him. We want to create more awareness about cancer because that conversation is lacking in Hong Kong. My wife joined a support network, but it’s based in the US. Why don’t we have one here? It’s a tough and stressful experience, and that’s why we want to set up a support network to help parents who are going through this so that they have something to fall back on.

When you have free time, what do you do to unwind?

I like to build RC (remote control) racing cars, which have now overloaded my son’s room. Fish are another fascination of mine. I have a big carp collection, and I find them very relaxing to watch. I have 12 now, so I’ll have to build a proper pond to accommodate them in the summer. We also have piranhas, which is a little bit crazy.

Music is another big release for me. For my morning meditation, I go upstairs and have what I call my Bruce Willis Die Hard breakfast of cigarettes and two coffees, and I listen to music and try to relax for 10 minutes before I start the day.

I also collect a lot of memorabilia, which drives my wife insane. I have a samurai sword, a sabre tooth skull and Sylvester Stallone’s boxing boot from Rocky, which faces my desk. I look at that, and it’s a constant reminder to never give up.

So when I buy these things, they’re not just random pieces – they’re reminders not to drop the ball. I try not to absorb negative energy. Most people nowadays are on so many drugs and antidepressants because they’re listening to everyone else, but if you listen to people like Tony Robbins you’re already on a high. I listen to him every morning, just a snippet of whatever he’s got. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make a sale for the day – don’t worry about it. Don’t think about it. Just live for today.

Thank you.

Text: Emily Petsko

Davidoff CEO on enticing new customers, links to the art world

Davidoff’s gregarious CEO, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, was at Art Basel last week to present the brand’s Humidor Damajagua.

The humidor, crafted by renowned French marquetry artist Rose Saneuil, is seen by the company as an ode to the Caribbean.

Saneuil was inspired by Davidoff’s Caribbean heritage and the forest of Damajagua in the Dominican Republic.

The drawing shows a vibrant vermilion bird, a symbol of natural benevolence, swooping over a mystical Caribbean forest, encouraging the tobacco leaves beneath to thrive.

Davidoff has been cultivating filler tobacco in Damajagua since 2002.

The luxury cigar brand also operates the Davidoff Art Initiative, launched in 2012 in the Dominican Republic.

The Art Initiative supports contemporary art and artists in the Caribbean.

We sat down with Hans-Kristian at Art Basel to discuss how Davidoff attracts new clients and its links to the art world.

Japanese ceramicist Koji Usaka’s work draws crowd to Central gallery

Japanese ceramicist Koji Usaka’s work is instantly recognisable. Telltale signs of an Usaka piece are the whimsical swirling patterns he often uses, plus the fusion of traditional and modern styles and the iconic red Mount Fuji that has become a central theme in his work.

Even in Hong Kong, where his works are now on display for the first time, there’s no mistaking his unique style and technique.

“What’s distinctive about his work is not only the organic shapes but also the swirling red pattern,” says Rachel Kosciuszko of Waka Artisans in Central, where Usaka’s works are being exhibited.

“You could take any one of his pieces and put it anywhere in the world, and someone who knows his work would be able to pick it out,” she says.

The exhibition – running until 12 April – features a large collection of Usaka’s work, including everything from bowls and pouring jugs to ornate plates and sake bottles. As testament to the artist’s popularity, the gallery was packed with visitors on opening day, and many of the artworks were already marked with a ‘reserve’ sticker.

Along with golden moons and birds (symbols of happiness and health), Mount Fuji is one of the main motifs of Usaka’s work.

In Japanese culture, the iconic mountain peak is representative of strength and power, and some artists feel they need to earn their stripes before using such an important symbol in their work.

For his part, the ever-modest Usaka waited until he turned 50 before he started using it.

Everything Usaka makes is entirely crafted by hand, so no two pieces are exactly the same.

Usaka uses two different techniques to mould the clay – oxidation firing and reduction firing – and the level of heat determines its colour. After the clay has been shaped, the details can be added one layer at a time. A simple piece would be fired in an oil kiln three times, while a more complex piece could undergo five firings.

The Waka Artisans gallery has featured many prominent Japanese artists since its inception.

However, in a break from tradition, its next exhibition will feature the works of five young Hong Kong ceramicists. That exhibit will be held from 28 April to 7 May.

Waka Artisans is located at Unit S303, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street in Central.

The gallery is open from 12pm to 7:30pm.

For more information, visit www.wakaartisans.com.

Text: Emily Petsko

Asia Contemporary Art Show sells HK$26 million of artwork

The success of the 10th edition of the Asia Contemporary Art Show proves there is more to Art Week in Hong Kong than simply Art Basel and Art Central.

The show welcomed more than 10,000 collectors and an estimated HK$26million of sales were made over the fair’s four days.

“We were delighted to have been the first art fair to open during Hong Kong Art Week,” said Director Mark Saunderson. “There was a real buzz during the Langton’s VIP Collectors Preview on Friday, with visitors queuing a few hundred deep at peak hour.”

The Asia Contemporary Art Show is held twice a year in Hong Kong, once in March and once in October.

Visitors to the show, which is held across four floors of the Conrad Hotel, viewed more than 3,000 works presented by more than 80 galleries and artists from Asia and beyond.

Unlike Art Basel and Art Central which rely more on exhibitors, more than 50 artists chatted to collectors and art enthusiasts at the show.

The exhibition showcased both established and emerging artists.

VIDEO: Third edition of Art Central launches in Hong Kong

The third edition of Art Central is under way at Central Harbourfront and art fans are in for a treat with over 100 international galleries showcasing contemporary art.

This year’s Art Central features performance art pieces, site-specific installations, moving images, talks and more.

“As we return for the third edition of Art Central, we are proud to present our strongest programme to date,” said Charles Ross, the managing director at Art Central.

“As a content-driven fair that pushes boundaries in experimentation, we are dedicated to fostering new practices and discovering new talents in contemporary art.”

Gafencu spoke to Japanese sound artist Yuri Suzuki about his interactive sound installation, Sharevari, which was unveiled by Swarovski.

Art Central is on until 25 March at Central Harbourfront.

Check out our video of this year’s event and interview with Suzuki.

For more information click here.