Over 450 items of Russian art will be auctioned in St Petersburg on August 2, 2008. The auction is being held by Aberdeen-Auctions and includes some Russian icons.
The art items can be preciewed on august 1st from noon to 6 pm at the Gallery at 212 Beach Drive NE in downtown St. Petersburg. You can also view the auction online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com
One of the pieces, a watercolor by I.Y. Bilibin, is estimated at $45 Million to $60 Million. The items to be auctioned include paintings, drawings, porcelain, folk art, silver, sculptures, bronze works and Russian icons.
Sharon - I am always fascinated by art auctions, although I certainly don't have the cash to participate except at the most moderate level. Some of the Russian art I have seen is wonderful.
Jeff
Sharon~
Whoahhh!! Are you going to this auction? Even if just to SEE a $45M piece??...I wish I were close by...being the curious and appreciative type, I'd stop by your place and take you with me =)
Sharon, I hope you win the bid on the water color.... would be a great AR story. :-)
Hi Sharon, This sounds like it might be a very interesting auction. I went to one in Dallas and I ended up bidding on a gilt desk , a Louise XVI silver leaf and gilded reproduction with a white tooled leather top. I had seen this in the catalog and was taken with it. I figured it would go for well over $2500, so I felt safe at the auctioneers first asking price of $1800. No one else bid on it. I didn't check the actual measurement very carefully on the piece and didn't see it on the floor. The darned thing was as big as a piano. I finally sold it for $1500 and I learned my lesson. I have been to a few auctions since but now take a very conservative approach ( stay quiet) when I am not in full understanding of what I would be bidding on,lol.
Jeff - I'd rather browse and buy than compete at an auction. I loved being in St. Petersburg, Russia, and brought back some wonderful "treasures".
janeAnne - come along! Since the preview gallery is just 2 blocks from my office, I do plan on walking over there.
Duane - I don't have wall space for any more paintings, so if I bid on anything, it would be something else. We'll see.
William - I learned early not to "bid just to be nice and get things started" at charity silent auctions. Only bid on what I'd want. Fortunately it didn't take an antique desk the size of a piano to teach me tht.
Dear Sharon,
Thanks for taking the commitment to respond.
I fully agree, obviously! I just hope that most Realtors will keep their values high amidst desperate times, for some.
Please visit my blog from time to time.
Thanks again,
Best regards,
Anoir
Anoir - you're most welcome. I think responding shows courtesy and shows respect to those who took the time to comment.
Morning Sharon,
I have the date marked and will try to attend the Auction. Don't know that I will bid, but just seeing the treasures will be worth the trip.
Hal - why not? It's a short trip across the bridge!