Sevan Bicakci, White & Black Diamond Pegasus Earrings

"La Madona Rosa". Lavra Berilo Branco, Sapucaia do Norte, Galiléia, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. 15.5 x 8 inches (39 x 20 cm). Photo Heritage Auctions.

DALLAS, TX.- The imposing La Madona Rosa, a large and important Rose quartz specimen, set a price record on June 2 as the most valuable fine mineral specimen ever offered at auction when it realized $662,500 to lead Heritage Auctions' break-out $3.57+ million Nature & Science event.

The auctions' cornerstone presentation of Part I of The Hoppel Collection realized a combined $3+ million, shattered numerous records and already stands as the most valuable fine minerals collection ever offered at auction. Journalists, connoisseurs from various art fields as well as dedicated mineral collectors attended the auction, conducted in Heritage's standing room only auction room.

The collection included such diverse items as a rarely-preserved gem-grade aquamarine crystal, which has survived unscathed since it was found in the early 1990s and realized $158,500. A rare world-class specimen of Linarite, which also realized $158,500, set a record for the highest price paid for such a specimen of its kind.

"This auction is proof that, as a collectible, fine and rare minerals have value and credibility and that concept has now been proven in a public and transparent fashion," said James Walker, Director of Fine Minerals for Heritage Auctions. "There was a palpable buzz in the room for the entire auction. Our goal is to create an archive, a reference base if you will, for those who want to enter this collecting arena."

The auction featured rare examples from all over the planet of some of the finest mineral specimens (some of which are millions or tens of millions of years old), including a large specimen of Rhodochrosite from the old Home Sweet Home Silver Mine in Colorado, which realized $146,500; a gem-quality ammonite from the late Cretaceous era which realized $80,500 and a Brazilian tourmaline crystal standing 16 inches tall, which realized $68,500.

A 10" tall piece of pink Kunzite, a variety of Spodumene, with provenance to George F. Kunz, Tiffany & Co.'s vice president and chief mineralogist in the early 1900s, realized $68,500. The pink gem variety of Spodumene was named after Kunz who gave this particular example to his Tiffany co-worker George Wild.

Rare gemstones enjoyed vigorous bidding action, as a fine, 21.41 carat Tanzanite gemstone realized $30,000; a deep red 93.6 carat Cuprite gem from Namibia, sold for $20,625; and a monstrous, 237 carat Fluorite gemstone, mined in New Hampshire, realized $16,250.

Three rare and historic (circa late 1800s-early 1900s) Michigan copper specimens performed well as a native copper crystal preserved inside of a copper ‘skull' - the only known example known to exist — brought more than four times its estimate to sell for $23,750 and set a record for a specimen of its kind; a lattice of copper crystals realized $22,500 and a significant group of inter-grown copper crystals lead the trio at $27,500.

The auction offered collectors a few bargains as well, including a sample of Calaverite from Colorado's Cripple Creek region, which realized $2,375.

"There's more than $2,300 worth of gold in that example," Walker said. "The savvy person who understands that got a deal on that buy."

The next offering of The Hoppel Collection is scheduled Oct. 20 in Dallas and will feature a number of important examples of similar natural treasures.

"We already have considerable material in hand for the next two auctions, all wonderful stuff, equally as fine as the selection we offered in the opening salvo," Walker said. "If the response so far is any indication, were are going to have another record-setting crowd in attendance as we did in the first auction." 

Vase en forme d’oiseau (phénix) © Stéphane Piera /Musée Cernuschi/Roger-Viollet

PARIS - Le bronze a été, en Chine, un matériau de prédilection pour la confection d’objets rituels depuis les premières dynasties. Au Xe siècle, après plusieurs siècles de prédominance de la religion bouddhique, afin de renforcer l’autorité impériale de la dynastie des Song (960-1279), les rites antiques liés aux Ancêtres impériaux, au Ciel et à la Terre, prennent une importance nouvelle. La collecte des vases rituels antiques, leur catalogage, le déchiffrement de leurs inscriptions deviennent une occupation de nombreux lettrés. Les bronzes comptent désormais, après les peintures et les calligraphies, parmi les objets les plus coûteux et les plus recherchés des collectionneurs. Recettes de restauration, d’imitation et de contrefaçon fleurissent à partir de cette époque. La mode des motifs et des formes antiques s’étend bientôt à de nombreux domaines et imprègne tout l’art de la Chine : ustensiles d’usage quotidien ou de décoration, objets de lettrés ou de culte, notamment.

Pour la première fois en France, une exposition est consacrée à ce domaine encore peu étudié. Elle déclinera trois thèmes : L’empire des rites (les rites et les vases rituels, la restauration des cultes et des vases dans leur forme originelle), La couleur de l’antique (le rôle des lettrés et des livres archéologiques pour répertorier, classer, nommer, relever les imitations et contrefaçons des techniques antiques et des patines), Le passé pour l’éternité (objets de lettrés, ustensiles pour l’encens, vases à flèches, petite statuaire religieuse, bassins et plats d’offrande).

C’est donc un ensemble très varié de bronzes chinois des collections du musée Cernuschi qui seront montrés, souvent pour la première fois. Riche de plus de mille œuvres, cette collection est l’une des plus importantes au monde pour les bronzes de cette période.

Les conquêtes de l'Empereur Qianlong, conquête de Formose, album de douze gravures par Jia Quan, Li Ming, Yang Dazhang, Xie Sui, Zhuang Yude et autres , Chine, Dynastie Qing, Époque Qianlong (1777-1781). Photo Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan

Représentant la campagne militaire de l'Empereur Qianlong à Formose en 1787 et 1788, huit planches figurant la cavalerie et l'infanterie dans des combats contre les rebelles, trios planches décrivant la flotte impériale, et la dernière décrivant la réception officielle de la victoire, chaque planche comportent un poème composé par l'Empereur. Dimensions : 51 cm. (20 ¼ in.) x 88 cm. (34 ¾ in.). Estimation : 20 000 / 30 000 €

THE CONQUESTS OF THE EMPEROR QIANLONG, THE CAMPAIGN OF FORMOSA, AN ALBUM OF TWELVE ENGRAVINGS AFTER JIA QUAN, LI MING, YANG DAZHANG, XIE SUI, ZHUANG YUDE AND OTHERS, CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1789-1790) 

Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan. Mardi 11 juin 2013. Hôtel Dassault - 7 Rond Point des Champs-Elysées www.artcurial.com

Les conquêtes de l'Empereur Qianlong, campagne du Népal, album de huit gravures par Jia Shiqiu, Ming, Feng Ning et autres, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Époque Qianlong (1777-1781). Photo Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan

Représentant la campagne et la victoire au Népal, sept planches décrivant diverses scènes de batailles, sièges et attaques de fortifications dans un terrain montagneux, la huitième, le banquet de la victoire, chacune accompagnée d'un poème et datée. Dimensions: 51 cm. (20 ¼ in.) x 88 cm. (34 ¾ in.). Estimation : 10 000 / 15 000 €

THE CONQUESTS OF THE EMPEROR QIANLONG, THE CAMPAIGN OF NEPAL, AN ALBUM OF EIGHT ENGRAVINGS AFTER JIA SHIQIU, MING, FENG NING AND OTHERS, CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1795-1796) I

Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan. Mardi 11 juin 2013. Hôtel Dassault - 7 Rond Point des Champs-Elysées www.artcurial.com

Les conquêtes de l'Empereur Qianlong, campagne du An Nan (Annam), album de six gravures par Yang Da Zhang et autres et sa couverture en bois, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Époque Qianlong (1777-1781). Photo Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan

Représentant la campagne du Annam, deux planches décrivant des scènes de batailles dans un terrain montagneux et arboré, deux autres la traversée d'un fleuve, une cinquième le débarquement de la flotte impériale et la dernière la réception de la victoire, chacune accompagnée d'un poème et datée ; couverture de l'album fracturée. Dimensions: 51 cm. (20 ¼ in.) x 88 cm. (34 ¾ in.). Estimation : 8 000 / 12 000 €

THE CONQUESTS OF THE EMPEROR QIANLONG, THE CAMPAIGN OF AN NAN (ANNAM), AN ALBUM OF SIX ENGRAVINGS AFTER YANG DA ZHANG AND OTHERS AND WOODEN COVER, CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1790-1793) 

Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan. Mardi 11 juin 2013. Hôtel Dassault - 7 Rond Point des Champs-Elysées www.artcurial.com

Les conquêtes de l'Empereur Qianlong, campagne de Zhong Miao, album de quatre gravures par Feng Ning et autres, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Époque Qianlong (1777-1781). Photo Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan

Représentant la campagne de Zhong Miao, les quatre planches décrivant des scènes de batailles dans un terrain montagneux et arboré, chacune accompagnée d'un poème et datée. Dimensions: 51 cm. (20 ¼ in.) x 88 cm. (34 ¾ in.). Estimation : 4 000 / 6 000 €

THE CONQUESTS OF THE EMPEROR QIANLONG, THE CAMPAIGN OF ZHONG MIAO, AN ALBUM OF FOUR ENGRAVINGS AFTER FENG NING AND OTHERS, CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1798) 

Artcurial - Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan. Mardi 11 juin 2013. Hôtel Dassault - 7 Rond Point des Champs-Elysées www.artcurial.com

Giuseppe Penone Versailles. 

En 2013, l’artiste italien Giuseppe Penone est l’invité de Versailles. Ses sculptures, dont certaines sont produites spécifiquement pour l’exposition à Versailles, sont principalement présentées au public sur la Grande Perspective et dans le Bosquet de l'Etoile.

L’artiste, chef de file de l’arte povera, rythmera les jardins de Le Nôtre avec ses sculptures d’arbres dans lesquelles végétal et minéral se mêlent pour dévoiler leur essence.

Giuseppe Penone à Versailles. 

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows Spazio di Luce (Space of Light), a bronze sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows the sculpture Sigillo 2012 (R), and the sculpture Anatomie 2011 (L), on display in the gardens of Versailles. Penones exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows Arbre Foudroye (struck by lightening), a sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A visitor takes a photo on June 6, 2013 of the The Hidden Life Within, a sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display at the Chateau de Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows Elevazione (Elevation), a sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows Spazio di Luce (Space of Light), a bronze sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- A photo taken on June 6, 2013 shows Spazio di Luce (Space of Light) (L) and Tra scorza e scorza (Between Bark and Bark), sculptures by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

PARIS.- Italian artist Giuseppe Penone poses on June 6, 2013 by his sculpture Tra scorza e scorza (Between bark and bark), on display in the gardens of Versailles. The exhibition will run from June 11 to October 31, 2013. AFP PHOTO / CLAIRE LEBERTRE.

Masriera. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

From the House of Masriera (since c.1839), internationally renowned designers of Catalan Art Nouveau jewelry... Cellini Jewelers is an authorized dealer of Masriera jewelry. http://www.cellinijewelers.com

Masriera Flower Pendant. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

Flower pendant with transluscent, plique-à-jour enamel and diamonds, with pearl drop accents, in 18-karat yellow and white gold. The flowers detach to make 2 separate brooches. Diamond weight: approximately 2.25 carats total. Price $38,500.00

Masriera Phoenix Brooch. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

"Art jewel" of the mythical Phoenix, or Firebird, which is the symbol for rebirth, renewal, and immortality. 
Encrusted with round brilliant-cut diamonds, rubies and pearls, and masterfully rendered techniques of enamelwork, in both the transluscent plummage and ’feathered’ body; in 18-karat yellow gold. May be worn as brooch or pendant. Price $62,500.00

Masriera Insect Brooches. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

Insect motifs encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires, with masterfully rendered transluscent enamel wings (like stained glass windows); in 18-karat yellow gold. 

Clockwise from top:
Moth, Item #8-74-26, $42,650.
Small Moth, Item #8-130-25, $6,450.
Bee, Item #7-78-27, $13,550.

Masriera Flower Ring. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

18-karat yellow gold with enameled flowers and leaves, with round brilliant-cut diamond accents. Diamond weight: approximately 0.78 ct. Price $6,400.00

Masriera Amethyst & Enamel Earrings. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

18-karat yellow gold with transluscent plique-à-jour enamel, oval-shaped amethysts, pearls and and diamond accents. Price $8,600.00

Masriera Necklace. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

18-karat yellow gold bib necklace with round brilliant-cut diamonds, and transluscent, plique-à-jour enamel flowers, with amethyst accents. Diamond weight: approximately 3.28 carats total; Amethyst weight: 7.18 carats total. Price $56,400.00

Masriera Museum Collection. Photo courtesy Cellini Jewelers

Price: $108,000.00

Grand plat en porcelaine céladon Longquan. Chine, dynastie Ming, XIVe -XVe siècle - Sotheby's

circulaire, le centre finement incisé d'une fleur de lotus, l'intérieur et extérieur couverts d'une onctueuse glaçure; 39 cm, 15 3/8  in. Estimation: 4,000 - 6,000 EUR

PROVENANCE: Formerly in the Edward T. Chow Collection.

A LONGQUAN CELADON DISH, CHINA, MING DYNASTY, 14TH/15TH CENTURY

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 www.sothebys.com

Petit vase en porcelaine céladon Longquan. Chine, dynastie Song du Sud, XIIIe siècle - Sotheby's

le corps globulaire reposant sur un court pied légèrement rentré, les contours renflés de la panse s'élevant doucement en un long col tubulaire aux bords élargis: 13,7 cm, 5 3/8  in. Estimation: 8,000 - 12,000 EUR

PROVENANCE: Formerly in the Edward T. Chow Collection.

A LONGQUAN CELADON DISH, CHINA, MING DYNASTY, 14TH/15TH CENTURY

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 www.sothebys.com

Trois pots à pinceaux en porcelaine bleu blanc. Chine, XVIIe siècle - Sotheby's

chacun légèrement cintré, peints d'un épais trait d'un bleu vibrant de dignitaires avec leurs serviteurs à l'ombre d'un pavillon surplombant un paysage, marque à quatre caractères sur l'un, marque à six caractères sur le deuxième et double-cercle en bleu sous couverte à la base sur le dernier (3), the largest 13 cm, 5 in. Estimation: 15,000 - 25,000 EUR

PROVENANCE: An English private Collection.
Bonhams London, 12th May 2011, lot 280.

THREE TRANSITIONAL BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN BRUSHPOTS, CHINA, QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 www.sothebys.com

Bol en porcelaine bleu blanc. Chine, dynastie Qing, marque et époque Daoguang (1821-1850) - Sotheby's

les bords évasés et légèrement ourlés, le pourtour peint d'une scène continue de garçonnets se livrant à diverses activités, marque en cachet à six caractères en bleu sous couverte à la base; 15,5 cm, 6 1/8  in. Estimation: 5,000 - 7,000 EUR

A fine blue and white 'boys' bowl, China, Qing Dynasty, Daoguang seal mark and period (1821-1850)

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 www.sothebys.com

Rosaire en aiguemarine et corail, Chine, dynastie Qing, fin du XIXe siècle - Sotheby's

formé de dix-huit perles d'aiguemarine alternées de rondelles de corail, séparées par quatre grosses perles de corail; 24 cm, 9 1/2  in. Estimation: 4,000 - 6,000 EUR

An aquamarine and coral rosary, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century

NOTE: Compare a similar example formerly in the Qing Court collection, illustrated in Treasures of Imperial Court. The Complete Collections of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2004, pl. 140.

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 - www.sothebys.com

Collier de mandarin en perles d'os et émaux champlevés, Chine, dynastie Qing, XIXe siècle - Sotheby's

composé de 4 rangs de 27 perles ajourées en os entrecoupés de 4 boules en émaux champlevés bleu et vert ajourées, un cordon où pendent un médaillon ovale et une perle en forme de goutte, deux rangs de 10 perles émaillées partant sur les côtés se terminant par des gouttes; 118 cm, 46 1/2  in. Estimation: 3,000 - 5,000 EUR

Sotheby's. Arts d'Asie. Paris | 12 juin 2013 - www.sothebys.com

Anish Kapoor, Untitled, 1996. Midnight blue pigment on aluminium, 200.7 x 200.7 x 25.4 cm. (79 x 79 x 10 in.). Estimate £1,000,000 - 1,500,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

LONDON.- Phillips announced highlights from the upcoming June Contemporary Art auctions, featuring 176 lots with a combined pre-sale low estimate of £15,364,000 / $23,930,000 and a pre-sale high estimate of £23,007,000 / $35,840,000. 

“We are pleased to present our June Contemporary Art Evening Sale, headlining an important work by Glenn Brown entitled Occilate Wildly, 1999 with an estimate of £2.5-3.5 million. Other highlights from this diverse sale include works by Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Grotjahn, Ugo Rondinone and Rudolf Stingel. We look forward to closing the weeks Contemporary Art sales with these exceptional pieces.” Peter Sumner, Head of Contemporary Art Evening Sale, London. 

“We are thrilled to offer a strong and varied selection of works in our June Contemporary Art Day Sale. We are delighted to introduce for the first time, works by Hugh Scott Douglas and Matthew Darbyshire and a rare video piece by Klara Liden alongside exceptional works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Cindy Sherman, Urs Fischer, Barbara Kruger and Sterling Ruby amongst others.” George O’ Dell, Head of Contemporary Art Day Sale, London. 

The Contemporary Art Evening Sale will feature 27 lots with a low estimate of £11,980,000/ $18,660,000 and a high estimate of £18,190,000 / $28,340,000. Highlights of the Contemporary Evening auction include: 

Glenn Brown, Oscillate Wildly (after ‘Autumnal Cannibalism’ 1936 by Salvador Dalí), 1999. By kind permission of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, Spain oil on linen, 175.5 x 391.9 cm. (69 1/8 x 154 1/4 in.). Signed, titled and dated 'Glenn Brown 1998-9 'Oscillate Wildly'' on the reverse. Estimate £2,500,000 - 3,500,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

Turner Prize nominee Glenn Brown is recognized as one of the foremost painters of his generation. Perhaps best known for his appropriation of iconic works of art as well as his exploration of sub-genres, Brown’s practice can be described as painterly abstraction within the tradition of appropriation, surrealism and photorealism. In this particular painting, exhibited at the Tate Liverpool during Glenn Brown’s eponymous retrospective in 2009, we find a triumphant homage to Salvador Dali’s Autumnal Cannibalism, 1936. Brown subdues the composition through the use of grey-scale, mirrors the image and doubles the painting in size only to stretch the horizontal plane to a monumental 12 feet, revealing a panoramic vista. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Three Pontificators, 1984, acrylic and oilstick on canvas, 152.5 x 152.5 cm. (60 x 60 in.). Estimate £2,500,000 - 4,500,000, Image courtesy of Phillips

The year 1984 marks a pinnacle point in the enigmatic oeuvre of Jean-Michel Basquiat where life and art were necessarily intertwined. Three Pontificators is a quintessential work, revealing a thematically rich use of symbolism, motifs, colour and text. Recalling Francis Bacon’s Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X of 1953, Three Pontificators displays similar themes of isolation and anxiety, as well as evoking the religious subject matter of the former. The sole text in the work is the word “EYE”, written in white oilstick within an almond shape in the space that displaces where figurative eyes should be. Basquiat’s continual fixation with isolating parts of the human body is derived from the medical textbook Gray’s Anatomy, which became a crucial and consistent visual sourcebook throughout Basquiat’s career. This specific “EYE” motif is, for the most part, unique to 1984, as Basquiat used it repeatedly and almost to obsession within this year. 

Andy Warhol, Pontiac, 1962, acrylic and pencil on canvas, 63.2 x 76.2 cm. (24 7/8 x 30 in.). Estimate £1,500,000 - 2,500,000.  Image courtesy of Phillips

America as a theme, underlines the vast majority of Andy Warhol’s work. From Warhol’s iconic depictions of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, products like Coca-Cola and common symbols like the one dollar bill, Warhol radiated American-ness throughout his practice. By 1960 Warhol had officially parted with the commercial work that defined the previous decade. In a moment of irony, Pontiac was in fact one of several works commissioned by Warhol’s former client, Harper’s Bazaar for an article titled, ‘Deus Ex Machina’ for their November 1962 issue. Covering a four-page spread the magazine had commissioned Warhol, ‘to make a visual comment on the phenomenon of the American motorcar.’ Of the works completed for this commission, only two (the present lot and Lincoln Continental) were painted entirely by hand. Using an opaque projector, Warhol traced the desired parts of the image onto the canvas. While remnants of pencil tracings can be found on the headlights and the bumper, Warhol has purposefully honed in on the most distinctive part of the Pontiac: its predominant and commanding grille. 

Anish Kapoor, Untitled, 1996. Midnight blue pigment on aluminium, 200.7 x 200.7 x 25.4 cm. (79 x 79 x 10 in.). Estimate £1,000,000 - 1,500,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

Anish Kapoor’s sculptural output of the past three decades has become contemporary art’s defining mode of bridging the gap between physical and psychological space. Demonstrated through his perfectly finished sculptures Kapoor has succeeded in giving emptiness the same philosophical and aesthetic weight as that which is tangible. In, Untitled, 1996, Kapoor explores the reflections of our surroundings as much as he allows us to profoundly explore concepts of internal and external depth. With its immaculate and sumptuous midnight pigment, Kapoor’s large moon-like sculpture evokes the precipice of a great abyss, a gateway to a calm immersive void. 

Andy Warhol, Diamond Dust Shoes, 1980-1981, synthetic polymer paint, silkscreen ink and diamond dust on canvas, 228.6 x 177.8 cm. (90 x 70 in.). Stamped by the Andy Warhol Foundation on the reverse. Estimate £900,000 - 1,200,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

From the commercial work of the 1950s, Warhol, almost a quarter of a century later, had achieved the fame and notoriety he sought. Merging art and business, iconography and consumerism, good art and good business were part in parcel for Warhol. Pre-dating the soup cans, flowers and Jackie O’s, the subject of shoes were Warhol’s first foray into commercial art in 1955. Working on Madison Avenue, Warhol was lauded in the advertising world with awards and worked under an enviable client list including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and The New Yorker. Standing out as the triumph of this era in Warhol’s oeuvre are the whimsical watercolour and ink illustrations of shoes. Warhol returns to the subject of the shoe in 1980 with the Diamond Dust Shoes series. Warhol first used “diamond dust” in 1979 within his silkscreen process resulting in the Shadows series. First experimenting with real diamond dust, it proved to have a disappointingly chalky appearance on the silkscreened canvas; Warhol was forced to experiment with pulverized glass. The visual effect of the shimmering plane glamourizes commodity while remaining true to Warhol’s favorite themes of celebrity, fame and money. 

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (Bolego), 2007,oil on canvas, 38.1 x 52.1 cm. (15 x 20 1/2 in.), Signed and dated 'Stingel 2007' on the reverse.  Estimate £600,000 - 800,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

Consistently pushing the boundaries of painting, Rudolf Stingel is one of the most provocative and innovative living artists today. His work seamlessly weaves traditional means of painting with the bravura of Modernism and the critical investigation of artistic production. Recognized for his highly conceptual yet formal-looking monochromatic works, the artist has managed to expand the relationship of painting and architecture. Stemming from his series of photorealist self-portraits, Untitled (Bolego), 2007, is an autobiographical work in so far as it references the self-portrait genre while examining the role of the artist and the romantic notion of aura. This intimately scaled work depicts Stingel as a brooding and worldly gentleman, perpetuated by his rugged features, suit and lit cigar, his gaze is fixed on a subject outside of the picture plane, just outside of the viewer’s reach. As with any self-portrait, he, the artist, is the subject of the painting, yet Stingel also makes himself the object of this painting, his physical presence is undeniable, consuming the majority of the picture plane. 

Andy Warhol, Skull, 1976, acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas, 15 x 19 in. (38.1 x 48.3 cm). Estimate £600,000 - 800,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

Andy Warhol was shot and critically injured on the 3rd of June 1968 by Valerie Solanas, a marginal figure in the factory scene and author of separatist feminist manifestos. After this terrifying incident, Andy Warhol became even more obsessed with the subject of death than in his previous work. Just as Warhol was confronted with own existence as he stared into the face of his assailant, the viewer too is forced to enter a period of self-reflection, as we contemplate our inevitable fate. Skull is a work of powerful and tragic utterance. Replacing Warhol’s sixties paintings of Marilyns and Campbell soup cans, it evokes a sense of tragedy which is deeply commanding. Warhol’s insecurity after facing death is extremely palpable in this painting, presenting a darker, more vulnerable dimension to his work. 

Ugo Rondinone, If There were Anywhere but Desert. Friday, 200, fiberglass, paint, clothing, glitter, 40 x 170 x 45 cm. (15 3/4 x 66 7/8 x 17 3/4 in.). This work is unique and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.. Estimate £300,000 - 500,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

If There were Anywhere but Desert. Friday by Ugo Rondinone best exemplifies the artist’s attempt to allude to themes of isolation and disenchantment, whilst simultaneously marking his continuing distinction in the international art scene. As with his earlier works, noted for their diversity of forms, Rondinone’s representation of clowns unites a consistent ambiguity with intense psychology, which at once unsettles and intrigues the viewer .This work, executed by Rondinone in 2002, is an extract from the larger, seven-part series by the Swiss-born artist in which he represents the days of the week with unique, motionless figures. Here, the clown has been divested of its power as an entertainer, and is instead confined to lie on the floor as a flabby, mute and quasi-static figure, leaving the viewer feeling disconnected from their usual terms of reference. 

Mark Grotjahn, Untitled (Three-Tiered Perspective), 1997, coloured pencil on paper, 61 x 48.3 cm. (24 x 19 in.). Signed and dated 'Mark Grotjahn 1997' on the reverse.. Estimate £140,000 - 180,000. Image courtesy of Phillips

Driven from both modernist abstraction and pop culture, Mark Grotjahn’s works are personal allurements, between the naturally hard-edged representation of geometric abstraction and emotive communication. In his Three-Tiered Perspective series, Grotjahn uses various vanishing points to create an optical effect, portraying a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. As a forerunner to his renowned Butterfly paintings, this series is a vibrant exploration of multiple perspectives and a creation of deep space and movement. Whilst his Butterfly series focuses the eye on a single view point, the use of various vanishing points on one single work draw the viewer inward creating an illusion of deep space and motion on a flat surface. While there is an almost classical lucidity to Grotjahn's established organization of dividing the composition into three separate rectangular rows of converging polychromatic stripes all of which are separated by horizontal bands, his use of colour is to a certain extent completely random. The result for Untitled (Three-Tiered Perspective) is the optical illusion of three-dimensional landscape receding towards a horizon through a variety of colour, space and direction. 

The Contemporary Art Day Sale will feature 149 lots with a low estimate of £3,384,000/ $5,270,000 and a high estimate of £4,817,000 / $7,500,000. Highlights of the Contemporary Day auction include: David Altmejd, Untitled, 2005 estimated at £40,000 - 50,000; Martin Creed, Work No. 287 (Feelings), 2003 estimated at £30,000 - 40,000; Allan McCollum, Collection of Thirty Drawings, 1988-1991 estimated at £20,000 - 30,000; Barbara Kruger, Face It! (Red), 2007, estimated at £20,000 - 30,000; Piotr Uklanski, Untitled (Crayons), 2001 estimated at £20,000 - 30,000. 

Sharp crystals of Azurite with Malachite accents.

From the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Little Ajo Mts, Ajo District, Pima Co., Arizona. Measures 6.1 cm by 4.8 cm by 3 cm in total size. Price $2450 http://www.exceptionalminerals.com/

Large Fluorite cube covered by Galena and Sphalerite crystals.

From Rosiclare, Rosiclare Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois. Measures 9.2 cm by 11.7 cm by 6.1 cm in total size. Price $785 http://www.exceptionalminerals.com/

Ex. McLoughlin Mineral Collection

Azurite. 

From the Liufengshan Mine, Guichi District, Chizhou Prefecture, Anhui Province, China. Measures 21.5 cm by 19.5 cm by 12 cm in total size. Price $7500 http://www.exceptionalminerals.com/

Ex. Lawrence Mineral Collection