
Botero, Banksy Win Big in Sotheby's Debut Saudi Arabia Auction
By and Fahad Abuljadayel
Save
The historical mud-brick city of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia played host to an unusual crowd on Saturday night: art aficionados, new collectors and first-time paddle holders melding together to take part in Sotheby's inaugural auction in the kingdom.
The offerings were as diverse as the crowd, with everything from high-end collectible watches to handbags, paintings, jewelry and sports memorabilia on sale to the highest bidder. In the end, it may have been Saudi Arabian businessman Amr Zedan who struck the most luck.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Documents that Lincoln signed to end slavery to be auctioned off
By Dean Murray Two era-defining documents that ended slavery and reshaped American history are to be auctioned. The Thirteenth Amendment (estimated at $8–12 million) and the Emancipation Proclamation (estimated at $3–5 million) are both signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The landmark documents, rarely seen together, will headline Sotheby's Fine Books and Manuscripts auction in New York on June 26. They offer collectors a rare glimpse into the enduring legacy of Lincoln's vision for the legal abolition of slavery in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation introduced partial emancipation, the Thirteenth Amendment was the first instance in which abolition was enshrined in law. Sotheby's says both documents are considered the most valuable copies of their kind ever to reach auction. Their appearance together at the event not only marks a pivotal moment in the nation's history but also underscores Lincoln's commitment to ending slavery-an act he considered his greatest achievement as president. The Thirteenth Amendment copy on offer is among only 15 recorded manuscript copies signed by Lincoln, and one of just nine signed by Lincoln alongside the senators and congressmen who passed it for ratification by the states. Of these, only four remain in private hands, with this example bearing the most signatures of supporting legislators-an extraordinary 96%. The Emancipation Proclamation, also signed by Lincoln, is one of just 27 surviving limited edition copies from an original run of 48 produced to benefit the United States Sanitary Commission, a cause close to Lincoln's heart. These documents were sold at the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia in 1864, raising funds for vital medical care and support for Union soldiers during the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on 1 January 1863, while the Thirteenth Amendment was originally signed by President Abraham Lincoln on 1 February 1865, after Congress passed the joint resolution proposing the amendment on 31 January 1865. The documents will be on public view at Sotheby's York Avenue galleries from 20–25 June, ahead of the highly anticipated auction. The post Documents that Lincoln signed to end slavery to be auctioned off appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Gulf countries fear Israel-Iran spillover
Gulf countries on Friday unanimously condemned Israel's strikes on Iran, fearing an escalation that could threaten economic interests and security. "Gulf states are very much caught between a rock and a hard place," Sanam Vakil, director of the Chatham House think-tank's Middle East and North Africa Programme told AFP. While "they are quietly applauding the further weakening of Iran they face real risks and have to play their cards carefully", she said. Their close ties to Israel's protector Washington, which maintains military bases in the region, and their proximity to Iran -- and its missiles -- pose risks. Vakil said that "Saudi diplomats are distancing themselves from Israel and condemning the strikes as a means to stay out of this conflict". The unfolding situation is playing out against a recent diplomatic rapprochement Riyadh has been building with Tehran ever since China in 2023 brokered an agreement aiming to restore ties. "This is a notable difference with the situation that prevailed in the region 10 years ago, when Saudi Arabia was sort of inciting the United States to strike Iran, calling it the 'head of the snake'," said Karim Bitar, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Paris's Sciences Po university. Indeed, as Tehran reeled from Israel's attacks and planned retaliation, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan called his Iranian counterpart and "stressed the importance of dialogue to address disputes". - Stability at risk - "Gulf countries realise that this Israeli attack will jeopardise their economic interests as well as the entire stability" of the region, Bitar said. That is a major preoccupation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been focusing on economic growth, giga-projects at home and diversification away from oil. During Donald Trump's first US presidency, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had pushed for a stronger stance against Iran. Gulf countries supported Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. But Gulf sentiment began to change after the United States failed to provide significant backing following attacks blamed on Tehran, analysts said. A 2019 attack -- claimed by Yemen's Huthis but blamed by Riyadh and Washington on Tehran -- hit Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field, temporarily halving the kingdom's crude output. Tehran denied involvement. The UAE too has been targeted by attacks from the Huthis that hit Abu Dhabi in 2022. Seeking to avert attacks by Iran and its proxies, especially as they host US bases that could become targets in the wake of a broader conflict, Gulf monarchies have pursued a detente. "The greatest concern in the Gulf now will be to what extent the United States will have to rely on their bases to assist in the defence of Israel," said Middle East analyst Andreas Krieg. - US 'red line' - While Trump's administration has distanced itself from Israel's operation, it has warned Iran not to hit US targets in the Middle East. "It has... drawn a firm red line, warning that any attacks on US personnel or military installations will provoke a response," Vakil said. She added, however, that "for now, Iran is unlikely to target Gulf infrastructure or assets". The leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar last month had urged Trump, as he visited the region, to not order US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and to pursue a deal instead, according to the US news outlet Axios. "The Gulf states had hoped that Trump would show strong leadership and would contain (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's neo-conservative tendencies to escalate," said Krieg. Negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme had been going on between Washington and Tehran, although with little headway. Oman had been readying to host a sixth round of talks on Sunday, before Israel's attack threw that into doubt. For Bitar, the Israeli strikes seemed to be trying to "torpedo" the US-Iran talks. "What will be the US reaction? Will they maintain their blind and unconditional support for Israel, or will they try to go back to the negotiating table and reach a new deal?" he asked. saa/aya/rmb
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Brian Rolapp, a potential successor to Roger Goodell, leaving NFL to become PGA Tour CEO
Brian Rolapp is jumping over to the PGA Tour. Rolapp is leaving his position as an NFL executive vice president to become the next PGA Tour CEO, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Seth Wickersham. Rolapp is expected to lead the Tour. Advertisement Rolapp has been with the NFL for 22 years, and was widely believed to be a potential successor to commissioner Roger Goodell whenever he leaves his post. Goodell sent a memo to all team executives and presidents to notify them of Rolapp's departure on Thursday. The Tour has not confirmed the news, which came in the middle of the opening round of the U.S. Open. That major championship is run by the United States Golf Association and is separate from the PGA Tour. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has held his post as the Tour's commissioner since 2017, when he replaced longtime commissioner Tim Finchem. Monahan is just the fourth commissioner in the Tour's history. He stepped away briefly from his post in 2023 due to an undisclosed health issue, which came just a week after his announcement that the Tour was entering negotiations to join forces with LIV Golf — something that drew an immense amount of criticism from both inside the Tour and out. Advertisement Monahan and the Tour are still in negotiations with LIV Golf, which came after years of turmoil in the sport and Monahan's strong condemnation of the Saudi Arabian-backed league. It's unclear if such a deal will get done, however, as the two sides are well past their self-imposed deadline. The Tour announced last year that it would begin looking for a new CEO to work alongside Monahan, and that the job would be tasked with growing the commercial side of the business. The CEO role will report directly to both the PGA Tour's Policy Board and the Board of Directors for PGA Tour Enterprises, which is the new for-profit arm the Tour has launched in an effort to compete with LIV Golf. PGA Tour Enterprises received an initial investment of $1.5 billion from the Strategic Sports Group to get off the ground. 'This is a signal that we're on the right track,' Tour chief marketing and communications officer Andy Weitz said in December of the new CEO position, via the Golf Channel. 'This is another example of making sure we have the right people in the right roles. To come together and really create some exciting experiences for fans in 2025 and beyond.' While Rolapp's role will include the PGA Tour Enterprises side of things, it is not expected to be limited to the for-profit entity.