Tibet erased at Christie's Hong Kong auction

"News flash" is the headline of  the press release announcing that it took 22- minutes of  bidding at Christie's current auction in Hong Kong before Liu Yiqian became the new owner of this 15th-century thangka, an exceptional example of Tibetan Buddhist painting on cloth, The prize cost him $45million US dollars; a world-auction record, we are told for any Chinese work of art.. The release goes on to quote Mr Liu talking about proud he is to bring this work of art back to China!  Christie's should be ashamed of itself for adopting the Republic of China's attempt to remove from history the country of Tibet with its long and distinctive culture, religion and art. No news flash is necessary to remind us that the bottom line is a slippery, muddy place.

Rubies for lunch

Cartier c.1930  est £30,000-40,000

An aunt of mine took me to lunch where she told me that she was going to buy me a ruby ring, my birthstone, but then she found out how expensive that would be. I don't think anybody pays attention to birthstones any more. Maybe the market in colored gems is so strong, it isn't necessary or maybe it is even counterproductive. After all why restrict desire to only one of 12 gems stones? Still I have a soft spot for these once upon a time emblems of July. And at a Bonham's lunch for people who write about jewels, (Almost everyone else writes about fashion; I the lone representative of those who not only love the beauty and craftsmanship but believe jewels are or certainly can be works of art.) I saw some honeys--all of them early twentieth century delights.. Along with colored diamonds (and just plain white ones), emeralds and sapphires the price of rubies keeps heading higher. These are jewels for people with plenty of what's called disposable income. It is the color of the ones I illustrate here that is so sensational...Burmese red that is more like purple-pink. Pigeon blood rubies these are not. They will have to wait for another time.

1905 necklace estimate £30,000-50,000

 The necklace above with beautiful matched rubies, is remarkably delicate in feeling, especially the drops which seem to be dangling down with only the faintest support. And now for the ring my aunt might have bought for me all those years ago --it would have been a lot cheaper, too, even adjusted for changes in money value. It, and all the above, is being offered at auction in London on December 4. 

Art Deco (1930) £50,000--£80,000.

 

Art and PW on the move

Late Rembrandt at the National Gallery, London. Just go. The paintings are bruising and comforting; beautiful and moving. Any more from me, even I would think is waffle. Go early, they say, when it is least crowded. I
go late.

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Just published my Economist story about the new Aga Khan Museum for the arts of Islam:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/11/aga-khan-museum   will take you to it.

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While at economist.com type Lauder in the search box you will find my recent story about the Metropolitan Museum of Art's big show of Cubist paintings that Leonard Lauder has promised to give the museum. Not as off-- putting as you might think and I certainly expected.

Still a star after 3500 years

Go ahead, ask me "What it is the most beautiful, poetic and desirable object among the 50 works of gold on view in The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace?" Because I want to pipe up with my answer: It is a cup, not teeny, but small enough to rest in your palm--or mine as I began to imagine it as soon as I saw it. A powerful, mellow even modern design but made circa 1700 b.c. Still a star after 3500 years. Don't think this show (on until February 29), lacks more immediately eye- catching pieces. In fact I didn't notice the Rillaton Cup right away. For one thing it is at the far end of the large, long gallery. For another there was a hard to decipher object up close--maybe it was a comb but maybe it was an instrument for making music. 

Above: The Rillaton Cup    

Neither turned out to be right. It is a flat beaten crown with a plume that stands straight up--like stylized feathers. It is also exceedingly rare. The piece was dug up in Ecuador in 1854 and given by the country's president to Queen Victoria. Until recently it was assumed to be Inca but recent research suggests it was made well before the Inca's conquered south Ecuador in the 16th century. Bold but not something to hold attention or anyway mine. My eyes wandered. They were caught by a tiger. 

Pre-Inca Crown

This gold cat (below) was made in India in the 18th century from sheets of gold placed over a wood base. It was then etched and punched with designs that suggest fur but also battle scars. The latter were altogether appropriate..

Tiger head from Tipu Sultan's throne

Smaller, jewelled, images of tiger heads decorated the throne. (One is currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum in New York in a show of jewels owned by the Emir of Qatar.) This big guy was the throne's centerpiece.
   Tipu Sultan who ruled the kingdom of Mysore was opposed to the British presence in the subcontinent. He played the French against them as he tried to extend his realm. During the Fourth Battle of Mysore, British troops broke through their defences. It is believed he could have escaped but chose not to. "One day of life as a Tiger is far better than thousand years of living as a Jackal," is his alleged comment when that was proposed. He was killed. 
  This tiger, with its fierce yet thoughtful and magnificently decorated face survives. Part of the throne on which sat an ambitious, warrior Sultan who lived to die as a tiger became war booty and entered the English Royal Collection where it is proudly displayed today.  His tongue sticks out and moves--the better to make people approaching the Sultan feel more nervous. Today, alas, it makes it look more like a clever, luxurious toy. And then I saw the cup. Here is its story:

  

In 1837, men working at Rillaton on windy, bleak Bodmin Moor in Cornwall helped themselves to some stones piled up in an ancient burial mound. They uncovered a ceramic vessel inside which was this Bronze Age treasure. The land belonged to the Duchy of Cornwall--the Crown. The treasure belonged to the King and off it went to the palace.  Lucky us--it is on long term loan to the British Museum where all can see it when this show ends.                                                                                                             

Art and Soul at the National Gallery