"Breaking the Mold of Auction Traditions"
Dinosaur skulls and mammoth tusks: Ancient treasures aimed at modern collectors
Inspired by a modern spin on 16th-century curiosities, the latest auction offering by Sotheby's showcases a diverse range of collectibles, from Jurassic relics to contemporary works of art. This unique blend of ancient and modern pieces aims to inspire existing collectors to explore more creative avenues with their collections.
This third iteration of 'Curiosity' boasts a collection valued at a staggering 6.4 million US dollars, spanning a vast geographical range from the Siberian tundra to Egypt. The diverse selection of artifacts, spanning various periods of history, aims to captivate discerning buyers and outshine the traditional auction format.
Curiosity reinvents the classic auction style by merging elements of luxury and style, giving these heritage pieces a modern twist. This eclectic mix of collectibles, from natural history specimens to works of art, is meticulously curated to cater to a new generation of collectors.
Highlights of the Auction
One of the items that piqued the interest of Nicholas Chow, Sotheby's Asia's deputy chairman and head of Chinese art, was a Tschukotka gogot sunglasses, possibly belonging to a wealthy native from the Siberian Arctic.
“These glasses, which were most likely created two centuries ago, are made from Mammut elephant ivory and have a streamlined design, making them aesthetically versatile and timeless.”
A Fragment of Jamie Salmon's Self-Portrait and the Bamana Statue
Another standout piece in the collection was a Bamana statue from Mali, a captivating figure of a woman in a standing position dating back to the 15th or 16th century.
“My colleague helped me locate this piece in Paris from a prominent contemporary art collector who was keen on supporting our diverse curation efforts.”
Catering to Young Collectors
Recognizing the importance of capturing the attention of younger generations, Sotheby's is not just encouraging collectors to expand their collections, but also reaching out to Millennials by collaborating with prominent figures.
In October, the K-pop idol T.O.P curated an evening sale of contemporary art #TTTOP, which featured works by established artists such as Rudolf Stingel and Jina Park. The event marked the highest-grossing West contemporary art auction in Hong Kong's annual auction series, with a total sales value of over 17.4 million USD.
“Given T.O.P's passion for contemporary art, it made perfect sense to collaborate with him. The event proved to be a massive success in terms of publicity, generating record-breaking social media engagement. We are definitely considering repeating the collaboration in the future.”
Ushering in a New Era of Collecting
The introduction of this unique blend of collectibles has become a strategy employed by major auction houses to maintain their influence.
Christie's, for instance, holds an annual sale called 'The Difference' and has sold a myriad of offbeat items, from a two-headed sheep that went for 16,320 USD to a life-sized wax figure of Sigmund Freud, which sold for almost seven times its estimate of 9,600 USD.
Christie's also introduced a 'Special Sale' in 2008 featuring traditional collectibles such as decorative art, silverware, and timepieces, and caused a stir in Paris in September when Paul Verlaine's pistol used to almost shoot Arthur Rimbaud sold for nearly eight times its estimate.
Just like Sotheby's, Phillips aims to encourage a more holistic approach to collecting, encouraging younger collectors to explore diverse categories, such as photography, before delving into fine art.
“If bizarre and intriguing pieces appeal to you, why not add an anatomical wax head or the ornate crown of Häuptling Pineleaf's verdict to your contemporary art collection? There's no reason not to.”
The 'Curiosity III' auction will be on display at the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre from March 31, with the actual auction scheduled for April 4.
