Editor’s Note
The coming week promises a flurry of activity in the art world, with auctions across Europe offering everything from fine jewelry to Old Master paintings. This article highlights key sales in Milan and beyond, showcasing the diverse range of treasures coming to the block.
The week of December 4-10 will be a busy one for the art market, offering a range of opportunities from precious wearable items to works by Old Masters.
In Milan, Viscontea Casa d’Aste will host the “Milan Decoration – Antiques, Art, Carpets and Design” (Lot 105) auction, featuring Oriental art, antique furniture and fittings, 19th-century and later paintings, sculptures and drawings, modern art, carpets, and 20th-century decorative arts and design. Also in Milan, Perpetual Calendar is playing a unique luxury card with an auction dedicated to Montres Rares, expected to attract investors and high-end watch enthusiasts to the Lombard capital. Meanwhile, Sant’Agostino is holding a Watches auction in Turin, confirming the Piedmontese capital as one of the most active hubs for the watch market. Additionally, Aste Bolaffi will kick off its two-day numismatic event with a Coins and Banknotes auction on Friday, December 5th, featuring heavyweight numismatic rarities.
On December 4th, Rome also takes center stage as Bertolami Fine Art hosts an eclectic auction dedicated to 19th and 20th Century Art, ranging from 19th-century masters to contemporary research. For those who prefer modern art, Finarte in Milan offers the second part of its Modern and Contemporary Art auction, with the catalog also including a Tout de Suite selection for quick, dynamic review. On this intense Thursday, the web also plays its part: timed auctions by Pandolfini and Farsetti are concluding, with the former bringing down the virtual gavel on Modern Art and Distillates Collection sessions, and the latter ending its online Jewelry auction.
On Friday, December 5th, Farsetti concludes its online Watches auction, keeping the focus on watches this week. On Tuesday, December 9th, Finarte returns to Milan with two glamorous sessions: Vintage Fashion and Luxury Fashion, ideal for finding iconic fashion pieces. On Wednesday, December 10th, Italy’s retrospective concludes with two refined auctions: Pandolfini brings a selection of Ceramics and Majolica to Florence, while Colasanti in Rome presents a selection of 20th Century Design and Decorative Arts, catering to the growing taste for designer furniture.
Bolaffi Auctions presents Scooters, Mopeds, and Motorcycles. Finally, Wannenes‘ online auction of Old Master Paintings also concludes on December 10th.
Looking beyond the border, the international panorama is equally impressive. In London, Christie’s celebrates tradition with Aux Reignots from the Bouchard Père & Fils Cellar, while Bonhams celebrates with refined Antique Treasures. On the same day, Bonhams‘ Cornette de Saint Cyr branch in Paris shines a light on Post-War & Contemporary art. In Vienna, Dorotheum presents its classic Advent Auction and a session dedicated to 19th Century Paintings. Over the weekend, the world’s attention shifts to New York, where Phillips hosts the highly anticipated “The New York Watch Auction: XIII” on December 6-7, a veritable summit for watch collectors.
At the start of the new week, the Big Apple is again in the spotlight: on Monday, December 8th, Phillips and Bonhams will compete with their respective New York Jewelry auctions, while in Paris, Tajan will hold an Asian Art auction in the afternoon. On December 8th, Maison Piguet concludes its online auction of the Savoy Family Coin Collection, with auctions of Silverware, Russian Art and Icons, Tableware, Glassware, Porcelain, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco also taking place the same day. On Tuesday, December 9th, the French auction house Tajan continues its luxury marathon with back-to-back High Jewelry and Watches auctions, while in London, Bonhams explores new markets with South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art. On December 9th, Maison Piguet concludes its online auctions of Art, Curiosities and Collectibles, Ornaments, Lamps, Mirrors, Furniture and Carpets. Also on December 9th, Piguet concludes online auctions of Oriental Art, Far Eastern Art and Islamic Art, as well as a Charity Auction for the Friends of OSR Association. On Wednesday, December 10th, Tajan hosts a Mode et Maroquinerie auction, ending the week’s work in Parisian elegance. On December 10th, Piguet concludes its Natural History and Primitive Art auction. The same day, Piguet also concludes its auction of Books and Manuscripts from the 16th to 20th Centuries, attracting collectors interested in historical and modern books as well as drawings.
Image: Life-size Roman bust of Aphrodite (circa 2nd century AD; 76.8 cm, with custom base, 112 x 46.2 cm). Image: © Bonhams
