At Art Basel, Dealers Reap Rewards By Sidestepping Politics and War
About halfway through the opening day of Art Basel's fair in Switzerland, the dealer Larry Gagosian was sitting on a bench near his booth. Crowds—incredibly thick when the art fair opened to VIPs at 11 a.m.—had dispersed a bit as grandees shuffled into the convention center courtyard for lunch, queuing up for sausages, oysters and ice cream cones.
Gagosian, though, seemed content to stay inside, overseeing a presentation that included an early Cy Twombly painting priced at over $30 million. 'We've sold quite a few things, considering the state of the world,' he said. 'I'm encouraged that initially we've been doing quite a bit of business. We live in a crazy time, and I think that a lot of people want to take refuge in some other universe.' (Art Basel's VIP days end June 18; public days are June 19–22.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
17 minutes ago
- Forbes
The ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond' Fetches $14 Million At Christie's
The 'Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond' achieved more than $13.9 million The 10.38-carat 'Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond,' which may have been once owned by Marie Antoinette achieved more than $13.9 million (including buyer's premium), nearly double its high estimate at Christie's New York Magnificent Jewels auction on Tuesday. Its hammer price was $11.8 million. The fancy purple-pink modified kite brilliant-cut diamond has passed through French, Bavarian and Austrian imperial and royal families. In addition to its royal provenance, the gem was mounted on a ring created by renowned Franco-American jewelry artist, JAR. The pink diamond was believed to be in a group of jewels that Marie Antoinette entrusted to her coiffeur on the eve of her failed escape from Paris in 1791, hoping to one day reclaim them, Christie's said in a previous statement. These jewels were passed down to her only surviving child, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême, and later to her niece, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Chambord. 'Generations later,' Christie's said, a will identified the diamond's next known owner as Queen Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who referred to it as 'a pink solitaire diamond from Aunt Chambord.' The gem last appeared at auction in Geneva in 1996, offered by a member of a European royal family. Since then, it remained out of public view until this sale. 'The Blue Belle' 392.52-carat Ceylon sapphire sold for more than $11.3 million FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder The number two lot of the sale was the 'The Blue Belle,' a 392.52-carat sapphire that is one of the largest known sapphires in the world. It fetched more than $11.3 million (including buyer's premium). Bidding took nearly 15 minutes. About half that time was spent in near silence as auctioneer Max Fawcett, head of Christie's Geneva jewelry department, coaxed two phone bidders to increase their bids from $8.1 million to the final hammer price of $9.5 million, as seen through Christie's livestream of the sale. Like the pink diamond, The Blue Belle has its own storied history. It was unearthed as rough whose size and shape are unknown in 1926 at Pelmadula, Ratnapura. It had a 'highly prized peacock blue color and excellent clarity,' according to the documentation Christie's uncovered. It was owned by the well-known gem and jewelry dealer, Macan Markar in Colombo. British motor magnate, Lord Nuffield, acquired the gem in 1937. It is believed he planned to give it to Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) on King George VI's coronation. Instead, the jewel was sold privately and passed through several owners before appearing at Christie's Geneva auction in 2014 where it sold for $17.3 million. The sapphire is the centerpiece of an 18k white gold necklace covered in round and oval shaped diamonds. The 138-lot Christie's New York Magnificent Jewels auction was a 'white glove' sale, meaning all the lots sold, achieving more than $87.7 million, a record for a various-owner jewelry sale at Christie's in the Americas. Also among the top lots were three gem-set necklaces with historic Indian Mughal provenance, all sold well above their high estimates. A Mughal antique carved emerald necklace fetched more than $6.2 million The first is a Mughal carved emerald necklace consisting of three carved Colombian hexagonal and two carved pear-shaped Colombian emeralds with an approximate total weight of 1,150 carats. The largest emerald of approximately 470 carats is inscribed with the name 'Ahmad Shah Durr-I Durran,' founder of the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and northwest India. It achieved more than $6.2 million, more than double its high estimate. A Mughal antique multi-gem and emerald necklace fetched more than $5.5 million The second is a Mughal multi-gem and emerald necklace featuring four Colombian emeralds weighing nearly 800 carats. The necklace is further adorned with a drop-shaped spinel bead, a baroque ruby bead and baroque natural pearls. It sold for more than $5.5 million, nearly double its high estimate. A Mughal three-strand spinel and natural pearl necklace fetched more than $3 million The third piece is a Mughal three-strand spinel and natural pearl necklace with eight inscribed stones, in the Mughal tradition of memorializing gemstones to record their royal provenance. These spinels bear the names of some of the most powerful figures in history, including Muhammad ibn Tughluq-Shah, the Sultan of Delhi, the first Mughal emperor, Babur, and emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan. The spinels have an approximate total weight of more than 2,000 carats. The necklace fetched more than $3 million, well above its high estimate. A 66.74-carat unmounted round brilliant-cut diamond sold for 3.8 million Diamonds did well in the auction. The top lot in the group was the number three lot overall: a 66.74-carat unmounted round brilliant-cut diamond with D color, VVS1 clarity and 'excellent cut, polish and symmetry,' according to the reports. The Type IIa diamond sold for $3.8 million. A Harry Winston diamond pendant necklace sold for more than $2.4 million This is followed by a platinum and 18k white gold necklace by Harry Winston featuring a 17.50-carat pear brilliant-cut diamond of D color and VVS1 clarity, 5.01-carat round brilliant-cut diamond D-color and SI1 clarity. The remainder of the necklace is covered with round, pear, emerald and marquise diamonds. The necklace sold for more than $2.4 million, well above its high estimate. It was the number seven lot in the overall sale. A necklace with a 25.45-carat pear brilliant-cut flawless, D-color diamond fetched more than $2.3 ... More million Next is a platinum necklace centered with a 25.45-carat pear brilliant-cut flawless, D-color diamond. It fetched more than $2.3 million, besting its high estimate. It was the number eight lot in the sale. In addition, the New York auction featured a collection of approximately 26 jewels from the estate of Anne Hendricks Bass, including pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Cartier and 11 jewels by JAR. Every piece but one sold for more their high estimate. The group of jewels totaled more than $8.8 million, with some pieces fetching more than four times their high estimate. Van Cleef & Arpels diamond pendant earrings fetched nearly $2 million Among the highlights of this portion of the sale is a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings featuring pear brilliant-cut D-color diamonds of 11.93 and 11.83 carats, marquise, pear-shaped and round diamonds, platinum and white gold. It sold for nearly $2 million, besting its high estimate. It was the ninth best lot in the auction. JAR sapphire, emerald and diamond necklace sold for more than $1.5 million Another highlight is a JAR necklace featuring 22 drop briolette emeralds with rows of faceted sapphire beads and round diamonds set in platinum and 18k white gold fetched $1.5 million, five times its high estimate. Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond 'mystery-set' flower brooch fetched $1.5 million Another private collection titled, 'Color and Ingenuity: The Collection of Lucille Coleman,' had 'one of the most significant groups of 'mystery-set' jewels ever to appear at auction,' Christie's said in a statement. The top lot of the collection was a Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond mystery-set brooch that achieved more than $1.5 million, almost three times its high estimate, setting a new world record price for a mystery set jewel sold at auction. This group of jewels totaled $7.4 million, with proceeds benefitting the late collector's philanthropic institutions. A Cartier Art Deco multi-gem and diamond shoulder brooch that sold for $340,200 Signed jewels performed well. For example, a Cartier Art Deco multi-gem and diamond bracelet achieved $831,600, nearly three times its high estimate and a Cartier Art Deco multi-gem and diamond shoulder brooch, sold for $340,200.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault and Harassment
Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon. Machine Gun Kelly has revealed the name of his daughter with ex Megan Fox in a heartfelt Instagram post. Conor McGregor was caught on video punching a man during a late-night altercation at a club in Ibiza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit FOX News Radio
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
La DoubleJ Channels The Power Of Sisterhood With Its New Collaboration
Iman for La DoubleJ x (RED) Milan-based fashion brand La DoubleJ has partnered with (RED), the organization co-founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver, on an exclusive capsule collection, with 100% of the profits being donated to (RED). JJ Martin & Laura Brown for La DoubleJ x (RED) Entitled, 'Coupe Rose' the collection is made up of bestsellers, cue the Lake Como crafted Better Than Your Boyfriend's Shirt and the Pull-Up Shorts, made from fil coupé, along with the Mini Foulard in 100% Italian silk, of course. Noma Dumezweni & Peyton Dix for La DoubleJ x (RED) Now available from the La DoubleJ website, the line has been designed by women, for women, and on the project, J.J. Martin, founder and CEO of La DoubleJ, says it 'perfectly represents my goals at La DoubleJ which is to not only offer women 100% made in Italy product that makes them feel joyful and fabulous, but also gives them an opportunity to raise their vibration and expand their consciousness.' Lake Bell for La DoubleJ x (RED) She continues, 'I'm so grateful to (RED) and my dear friend Laura Brown for this opportunity. The fact that so many women eagerly came out to support and energize this co-creation is a beautiful reflection of the DoubleJ Sisterhood at work,' which aims to connect, to amplify, and create community. Angela Hicks & Hong Thaimee for La DoubleJ x (RED) In a celebration of womanhood, there's a host of suitably fabulous women, including (RED) supporters and friends of La DoubleJ, including Iman, Noma Dumezweni, Laura Brown, JJ. Martin, Lake Bell, Busy Philipps, Anne V, Mychal Bella-Bowman, chef Hong Thaimee, Mickey Sumner, Micaela Erlanger, Peyton Dix, Marisol Thomas, Dee Poku, and Angelica Hicks, who all feature in a supporting campaign that's been designed to raise awareness around the collaboration and the cause. Jennifer Lotito & Mickey Sumner for La DoubleJ x (RED) Jennifer Lotito, President and COO of (RED), says, 'We couldn't be prouder to launch this exciting new partnership with La DoubleJ – a female-founded, female-led brand beloved by so many.' AnneV & Marisol Thomas for La DoubleJ x (RED) On the solidarity of sisterhood she shares, 'The collection is not only bright, beautifully made and supports the fight, it has also been pivotal in bringing together so many influential women to show solidarity and support for this critical fight, which is exactly the kind of heat and energy this work needs right now.' Micaela Erlanger & Mychal-Bella Bowman for La DoubleJ x (RED) Lotito continues to witness the challenges first hand from withdrawals of funding to gender inequalities and discrimination, 'I have just returned from Kenya where I met many of those on the front lines: doctors, nurses, community outreach workers, and the story was the same in every place - 'these cuts will kill us.' It's a travesty, and it galvanizes the work (RED) does,' she says. 'It also underlines the gratitude we have for La DoubleJ, and other fashion partners including Savas, Nomasei, AHLEM and Roxanne Assoulin, for stepping-up and stepping-out in support. We love seeing fashion serve as a cultural force to drive change,' proving that fashion can stand for something greater. Dee Poku & Busy Philipps for La DoubleJ x (RED) See more on
