Fine art auction features assets from three private collections

TOMORROW Kenny Finberg Auctioneers will host an auction of fine assets – including timepieces, jewellery, art collectables, stamps and carpets – which come predominantly from three large private collections.

“I believe the watches on offer will attract most of the attention as the demand for good value, top quality brands, for both investment and appreciation, continues to soar,” says auctioneer Kenny Finberg.

One of the highlights will be a man’s 18ct yellow gold Daytona Rolex wristwatch in excellent condition.

“With availability almost non-existent, the demand for these timepieces is staggering.”

Another special piece is a man’s watch by Breitling for Bentley, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

“This rare watch is from a limited release, which came about as the result of an association between the two international brands,” Finberg says.

“Other brands on offer will include Rolex, IWC, Breitling, Mont Blanc Cartier, Longines, Omega and Tag Heuer, with the reserve prices of some watches starting from R2000.”

Among the jewellery will be a handcrafted designer necklace with more than 100 baguette diamonds,

“The craftsmanship is extremely fine and the design, made of channelled swags, includes investment quality diamonds weighing about 12.5ct.”

Other items in this category include necklaces, pendants, dress rings, earrings and brooches featuring precious metals and encrusted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, tanzanites and pearls.

The artworks available include an oil painting of Santorini in Greece by Terence McCaw, and a rare oil of a Venice canal scene by Sydney Carter.

“There are some rare works on offer by both South African and international artists.”

Persian and oriental carpets will be available, including a large Tabriz, Mashed and Hamadan runners, and some silk examples.

A unique Commonwealth stamp collection featuring stamps issued between the 1860s and the 1970s will be sold. Most of the stamps are in mint condition.

The auction will take place at 11am tomorrow at the Newlands Southern Sun Hotel. Kenny Finberg Auctioneers will also be accepting consignments of jewellery and art for its forthcoming hotel auctions. Viewing and valuations will take place from 10am tomorrow.

For more details call 082 552 0774 0219887766 or email kfa@intekom.co.za.

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JAN DE BEER

A WARDROBE of Yves Saint Laurent haute couture pieces, made especially for luminous French screen beauty Catherine Deneuveher over 40 years, sold for €900 625 (nearly R14 million) on auction in Paris.

On January 24, during Haute Couture Fashion Week, Christie’s held the five-hour auction of 129 ensembles made by Saint Laurent for his favourite private client. Every lot put on auction was sold after a staggering 4 500 visitors had attended the preview.

For nearly half a century, Deneuve and the renowned designer were close friends. In 2002, at an event to mark the 40th anniversary of Saint Laurent’s career, the star told the homosexual designer: “My most beautiful love affair is with you.”

At his shows Deneuve always sat front and centre in the private clients’ row, wearing his couture designs. She was his first customer at his Prêt-àPorter store, Rive Gauche, when it opened in 1967, and remained his muse until his death in 2008.

The pair originally met in 1965 at the suggestion of Deneuve’s then husband, photographer David Bailey.

She said: “I was invited to be presented to Queen Elizabeth, and my husband suggested I ask Yves Saint Laurent for an evening dress.”

Aged 22, Deneuve arrived at Saint Laurent’s Paris atelier on Rue Spontini clutching a photo from his Russian collection from the previous year, which he agreed to recreate for her. The long white crepe dress with a panel of red embroidery proved to be the start of a long collaboration and friendship.

The relationship crossed over into Deneuve’s film career when Saint Laurent designed the costumes for one of her most celebrated films, Louis Buñuel’s 1967 classic, followed by

(Mississipi Mermaid), directed François Truffaut in 1969.

At the designer’s funeral in 2008, Deneuve, now 75, read a tribute poem by Walt Whitman. – Auctions Writer

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A view of the colourful and spacious open-plan living area in the main house on the Hout Bay property.

ClareMart will auction a large house, currently serving as an office with off-street parking, on site in Wynberg on February 28.