Large Persian rugs used to be sure-fire investments, but technology has created a snag. According to Lee Drexler, author of Fabulous Finds and owner of Bedford- and New York City-based Esquire Appraisals, reproductions of beautifully crafted rugs from China and Pakistan have flooded the market and are impacting overall sales. However, she reports that the smaller Caucasians, Oushaks, and antique Persians still have value.
Paintings & Sculpture
As the Impressionist sales at both Sotheby’s and Christie’s revealed in May, oldies but goodies do fetch millions. Cézanne’s Les Pommes was expected to get between $25 million and $35 million, but sold for more than $41 million, and Auguste Rodin’s Le Penseur—aka The Thinker—sold for over $15 million, more than $3 million more than expected. Chaim Soutine’s Le Petit Patissier went for $18 million at Christie’s, the highest ever for the artist. A Degas dance sculpture fetched $1.2 million, which was mere change compared to the gazillions spent for paintings from Monet, Pissarro, and even a Picasso for a recent modern sale.
Sotheby’s New York
Paul Cézanne, Les Pommes
Estimate: $25M – $35M
Sold: $41,605,000
Auguste Rodin, Le Penseur
Estimate: $8M – $12M
Sold: $15,285,000
Pablo Picasso, Sylvette
Estimate: $12M – $18M
Sold: $13,605,000
Christie’s New York
Joan Miró, Peinture
Estimate: $10M – $15M
Sold: $10,987,750
Pablo Picasso, Mandoline et Portée de Musique
Estimate: $8M – $12M
Sold: $9,195,750
Jewelry
Jewels continue to generate eye-popping amounts with Christie’s selling the 34.65-carat Princie Diamond for $1,135,000 per carat—a world auction record for a Golconda diamond and the most ever spent on this gem in the US. For those looking to sell jewelry they no longer wear, Drexler recommends buying a home scale. “When selling silver or gold, dealers pay in weight and can shortchange you unless you have weighed it yourself.” Check the daily rates for gold and silver before going to dealers and be aware that when a metal is melted down, it is valued by lower benchmark because of the other elements baked in.
Sotheby’s New York
74.79 carats, D Colour Pear-Shaped Diamond
Estimate: $9M – $12M
Sold: $14,165,000
Platinum, Emerald, and Diamond Brooch
Estimate: $400,000 – $600,000
Sold: $2,909,000
Christie’s Jewel Sale
The Princie Diamond
34.65-carat, cushion-cut, fancy intense pink Golconda diamond
Estimate: $34M
Sold: $39,323,750
Decorative Arts
Tania Edwards, founding partner of The Brandsmiths Agency, believes established names can be a safe investment. But for people who can’t afford those price tags, the run-of-the-mill tag sale can also produce unexpected profits. At Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale, a bowl purchased at a New York State tag sale for under $3 sold for $2.23 million.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong
Ruby-ground Falangcai “double-lotus” bowl
Estimate: $8M
Sold: $9,549,679
Sotheby’s New York
“Ding” Bowl, Northern Song Dynasty
Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000
Sold: $2,225,000
Phillips London
Diego Giacometti bronze Torsade table
Estimate: $241,000 – $362,000
Sold: $374,000
Alberto Giacometti Tete de femme standard lamp
Estimate: $151,000 – $226,000
Sold: $230,000
Christie’s New York
François-Xavier Lalanne
Mouton De Pierre
Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000
Sold: $267,750
Jill Brooke attended countless jewelry and art auctions while working at CNN and at numerous magazines. Her new book, Bullish Not Bullied: The Need to Say No, will be out in September.
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