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Honeymoon period

Many people bring back a souvenir from their honeymoon, a keepsake from their first holiday together as they settle into married life. Inspired by their honeymoon on the River Nile in 1964, the Resandros took this a little further. They formed one of the most important and largest private collections of Egyptian antiquities in Europe, acquiring unique works at the major auctions and from respected dealers. The extensive collection, which primarily focused on bronzes but expanded to include exquisite amulets, elegant vessels and striking sculptures, was largely created from this formative trip to Egypt in 1964 up until the end of the 1990s. Through their collecting, the couple formed a close relationship with the Staatliches Ägyptischer Kunst in Munich, and especially with Dietrich Wildung, Director of the Museum from 1975-1988, and Sylvia Schoske. This collaboration resulted in five major exhibitions and scholarly catalogues of the collection.

Sale: Antiquities, 5 December, New Bond Street, London

Enquiries: Francesca Hickin,
francesca.hickin@bonhams.com
+44 (0) 20 7468 8226

Pretty in pink

It's that time of year when social calendars are filling up and outfits are getting a little bit more extravagant, with many starting to think about how to bring some glitter to the dark nights ahead. For those who want to go one step further an exceptional 30.10 carats very light pink coloured, round brilliant-cut diamond leads the Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite sale. From the property of a prestigious Asian collector, the diamond has been kept in the same private collection for more than 50 years. The magnificent and rare unmounted very light pink diamond of VVS2 clarity, weighing 30.10 carats, is classified as type IIa, which is the most chemically pure diamond. With an estimate of HK$12,000,000- 18,000,000, it is quite the gift.

Sale: Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite
28 November 2024, Hong Kong

Enquiries: Stewart Young
stewart.young@bonhams.com +852 3106 5427

Bringing the house down

The Rory Gallagher Collection was 100% sold in October after taking the world by storm, with more than 600 press articles and coverage in 30 countries. The sale was featured on the screens in Times Square and the exhibition at New Bond Street saw clients and fans fly in from all over the world to see the legendary musician's collection exhibited together for the first time.

One of the key moments was a celebration of Rory's legacy with a packed live music event at New Bond Street. Dónal Gallagher, Rory's brother and former manager, and Rory's nephew, Daniel, were in conversation with Guitarist editor Jamie Dickson. Many humorous and heart-warming anecdotes were shared, and many pints of Guinness poured. The night was framed by musical performances in honour of Rory, with a special treat for guests, when Daniel handed one of Rory's guitars to Dom Martin to play a final song to end to night.

The day of the sale Rory Gallagher's legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster sold over €1million, and the packed saleroom cheered when it was announced that the new owner would be returning the guitar to Ireland.

Outside of the box

Bonhams is collaborating with Cure Parkinson once again for the sixth edition of Cure3 – the critically acclaimed selling exhibition devised to raise awareness and funds for curative Parkinson’s research.

This year is the biggest yet, with more than 100 international artists commissioned to make a unique work for this year's exhibition, which will be on display at our New Bond Street auction room and for sale.

Sale: Cure3, 1-5 February, New Bond Street, London

Big move

On 22 November, Bonhams unveiled its new 19,000-square-foot Asia headquarters at Six Pacific Place with a packed cocktail party. The three-storey space, created to enhance the experience of visitors, reflects Bonhams' unwavering commitment to the dynamic Asian market. The atmosphere buzzed as collectors and guests mingled across three floors showcasing our inaugural autumn sales, featuring an eclectic mix of Chinese and Asian art alongside luxury collectables such as jewellery, watches, and designer handbags. The evening kicked off with a spirited lion dance, infusing the room with energy and excitement. It was an opening in every sense and a celebration of a thrilling new chapter for Bonhams in Asia.

Down to earth

Painted in 1985, La Terre or ‘The Earth’ is one of the largest and most important painting by Sayed Haider Raza ever to come to auction. Shaped by his early experiences in the forests of his native village of Barbaria, Madhya Pradesh, La Terre is Raza’s abstract love letter to his native India. The work features in photographs as a work in progress in Raza’s studio - he clearly dedicated an enormous energy and attention to the piece. The work not only showcases Raza's distinctive style but also highlights the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings that define his artistic vision. With a sister work having featured in the main pavilion at Venice this year, this is sure to be one of the highlights of the season.

Sale: Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, 10 December, New Bond Street, London

Enquiries: Priya Singh
priya.singh@bonhams.com

The Kerchache collection

Born in Rouen, France, in 1942, Jacques Kerchache opened his first art gallery in Paris aged 18 and visited West Africa for the first time at 21. He soon began displaying traditional West African art alongside artworks by European artists, and worked as an artistic advisor and exhibition curator, promoting entry of African and Oceanic Art into important French museum collections. It was under his initiative that the Pavillon des Sessions was created at the Louvre in 2001, as well as the musée du quai Branly in 2006. On 17 December, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Brussels, will offer a vibrant selection of objects from his prestigious collection, some of them never seen on the market before and many lots offered without reserve.

An unmissable highlight of the sale is a lizardman figure, tangata moko from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), once owned by the surrealist André Breton and later by collector René Gaffé. Moai tangata moko are hybrid figures combining anthropomorphic and reptilian elements, probably representing powerful spirits, and believed to have been hung at the entrance or inside the houses as protection.

Sale: Arts of Africa, the Pacific & The Americas, 17 December, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Brussels

Enquiries: Emilie Jolly
emilie.jolly@bonhams.com

Star-studded lineup

Bonhams presents a significant collection of exceptional haute couture gowns from the archives of the house of Ralph & Russo. Created by the Ralph & Russo atelier, many of the gowns on offer have been worn by A list celebrities, including Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner and Adriana Lima, for appearances on the red carpet. Ralph & Russo is the only British fashion house to be accredited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and the dresses in the sale demonstrate the incredible craftmanship of the house. The Ralph & Russo sale offers a unique opportunity to glimpse into the Haute Couture world and own a piece of exquisite design with craftsmanship that can be compared to a spectacular work of art.

Sale: The Haute Couture Archive of Ralph & Russo, 16-29 January 2025, online sale

Enquiries: Meg Randell
meg.randell@bonhams.com, +44 20 7393 3876