Page 10 - JOA-august-23

WORLD MARKETPLACE NEWS with Managing Editor Judy Gonyeau

YAHOO FINANCE – Collectible vintage photos are emerging as BELFAST TELEGRAPH – The preserved head of an Egyptian
investable assets. Many of the most valuable vintage photos are mummy is currently on display in a Belfast antique store called On The
sports-related. While fine art Square Emporium. Store owner Justin Lowry, said, “As far as I am
pieces are often found in the aware, this is the only mummy’s head that is for sale [in Northern
portfolios of the rich and famous, Ireland], or has been for private sale, in the last few decades.” A local
vintage photographs occupy a buyer has already been secured for the ancient item, but it will remain
different space, more closely on display until the end of September so
adjacent to the world of rare the public can come and see it. The head
collectibles. In 2020, a 110-year- had initially been brought to the UK by
old photo of legendary baseball a British soldier during World War I,
player Ty Cobb sold for an eye- and remained in the possession of the
popping $390,000. Limited soldier’s family, where it was kept under a
supply and high demand have glass dome for safekeeping. But, because
made this an up-and-coming investment. When buying, be sure there is some visitors didn’t like looking at the
careful and trusted authentication backed up with provenance. Keep an embalmed body part, it ended up being
eye out for made-in-the-day photographs vs. a new print to add value. put away in a cupboard. The head has been carbon-dated by experts to
between 800 BC and 750 BC, which coincided with the collapse of
civilizations dating from the late Bronze Age.
AUCTION NEWS – Competition between a phone and a room bid-
der sent this “Chinese carved hardwood clothing stand” from its
token estimate of $500-700 to $830,000 at an upstate New York sale- NYT – Christie’s is facing criticism for its
room on June 22. With 28% buyer’s premium added the price was close sale of jewelry from an estate partly built on
to $1.1m. A traditional part of a profits made from the purchase of Jewish
marriage dowry, the most decorative businesses during the Holocaust. The
examples were carved with symbols record-breaking sale of jewelry from the
promoting marital bliss and longevity. estate of Heidi Horten generated $202
In this case, the openwork panels are million. Horten was an Austrian heiress
carved with repeated ruyi “good for- whose husband, Helmut, built a retail
tune” symbols to the terminals with a empire in Germany partly by taking advantage of Nazi policies that
phoenix. The latter could be key to its forced Jewish businesspeople to sell their companies. Christie’s prom-
appeal. Just as the dragon became the ised in spring to donate a portion of its proceeds to further Holocaust
symbol of the emperor, in the imperial research and education. But the auction house has struggled to find
household the use of the phoenix was organizations willing to accept money from the sale, which went
synonymous with the empress. forward despite the objections of Jewish groups. Some organizations
rebuked Christie’s for the sale and asked collectors to take their business
elsewhere. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art announced it had decided
ANTIQUES TRADE GAZETTE – The latest of the London auction against participating with Christie’s in an event designed to look at
houses to increase its premium fees is Bonhams, which changed both restitution policies for objects lost by Jews during the Holocaust. The
the percentages of its premium structure and thresholds. Effectively, company has not said what amount of fees from the sales it is planning
this means an extra 1% premium is charged on the vast bulk of the lots to donate. A second sale of jewelry from the Horten collection
sold at Bonhams. The changes apply to sales in the UK, France, containing roughly 300 lots is scheduled for November, but as of July
Belgium and at Bonhams 11, the second auction is not on their online calendar.
Skinner in the U.S. which all
have a new structure starting
with the 28% fee but with the AMSTERDAM – The Rijksmuseum
thresholds varying by currency. is set to return six objects currently in
These changes follow Sotheby’s its collection to Sri Lanka this year,
adjustment to its buyer’s pre- the first time colonial objects from the
mium in February, followed by Rijksmuseum collection will be
Phillips in March, and then returned. Of note is the return of the
Christie’s in April. Bohnams ceremonial Cannon of Kandy, made
now stands at 28% for purchases up to $50,000, 27% for of bronze, silver and gold, and inlaid
purchases between 50,000 and $1M, 21% for amounts between $1M with rubies. Troops from the Dutch
and $6M, and 14.5% for purchases over $6M. Sotheby’s is 26% up to East India Company looted the cannon during the siege and plunder of
$1M, 20% from $1M to $4.5M, and 13.9% over $4.5M. Christies is Kandy in 1765. It was later gifted to William V, Prince of Orange, for
26% up to $1M, 21% between $1M and $6M, and 15% over $6M. his cabinet of curiosities in The Hague. It has been part of the
Rijksmuseum collection since 1800. The relationship and exchanges of
knowledge built up between the two nations in the fields of research
BLEEDING COOL – An Omega Level Mutant has and common history constitute a strong foundation for the future.
appeared as PCS unveiled its latest Marvel video
game statue. The newest Marvel video game statue
features the X-Men’s Storm, bringing the thunder PHILADELPHIA – The Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation
and lightning with her with this impressive 1:3 scale now owns the deed to its namesake, a magnificent 19th century
statue. Coming in at 27.5” tall, Storm’s designs are mansion on 34 acres outside of
inspired by her appearance in Marvel’s Future Philadelphia. Designed by Horace
Revolution. Marvel and X-Men fans don’t need to Trumbauer for Peter Widener, a
know the game to fall in love with this statue, but wealthy industrialist, Lynnewood has
she is not cheap and comes in at $1,180. been left derelict for decades. Now the
restoration begins.
8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles