Christie's Jewels - The New York Sale

Christie's Jewels The New York Sale - October 20 2010. Bid Online

Albert Watson's 1993 nude Kate Moss, Marrakech at Christie's

Christie's London will auction off a collection of photographs on Nov. 19. The collection will include a 2000 portrait of Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen by Mark Seliger, estimated at $9,000 to $12,000 - Martin Schoeller's 2003 Angelina Jolie with Blood, est. at $23,000 - $39,000, Albert Watson's 1993 nude Kate Moss, Marrakech, est. at $23,000 - $31,000; David LaChapelle's 1999 Britney Spears, Baby, est. $23,000 - $31,000; Michel Comte's 1996 James King, New York City, est. $6,000 - $9,000; and Gavin Bond's 2007 snap of Victoria's Secret stunner Adriana Lima, est. $5,000 - $8,000.

Wittelsbach Diamond goes on international market

A 17th century blue diamond, is expected to fetch in the region of $15 million when it goes on sale in December.

Christie's said on Monday it is putting the Wittelsbach Diamond on to the international market for the first time in almost 80 years.

"The appearance of a large blue diamond, among the rarest of colors, with a history that can be traced back to the 17th Century and 300 years of royal connections will surely be a thrilling occasion for all collectors of ... rare jewels," said Francois Curiel, international head of jewelry.

According to Christie's, King Philip IV of Spain selected the finest gemstones for the dowry of his 15-year-old daughter, the Infanta, upon her betrothal.

It is on public display at the auction house in King Street, St James's, London, on Friday 5 December and from Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 December.

Christie's to offer Lucian Freud portrait of Francis Bacon

Christie's will offer one of the two Lucian Freud portraits of Francis Bacon in its Post-War and Contemporary Art auction in London this October. The piece is estimated to reach bids of up to £7 million.

Christina Onassis’s Jewels Auction at Christie’s

Athina Onassis, will auction off jewelry that she inherited from her mother Christina. The jewelry collection is anticipated to generate £8 million on 11 June at Christie’s. The collection includes a pear-shaped 38-carat diamond estimated at up to £2.2 million, a ruby and diamond necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels expected to fetch £40,000, a rare Buddha by Carl Fabergé likely to generate £250,000 to £350,000 plus a 14.79 carat diamond ring £500,000-£700,000.

16th or 17th century silk Persian rug

A silk Persian rug, from the 16th or 17th century has sold at Christie's in New York for a record $4.45 million at auction, ( $729.87 per square inch). The rug was sold by Christie's auction house on behalf of the Newport Restoration Foundation. It was expected to fetch up to $1.5 million. The rug, which measures 7 feet, 7 inches by 5 feet, 7 inches, had been purchased by the late tobacco heiress Doris Duke in 1990. She left it to the foundation when she died.

Elisabeth Parker, head of Christie's rugs and carpets department, calls it an "amazing work of art" and says it has an intricate floral design and an unusually large number of colors, at 17.

Christie's $400 Million Contemporary Art Auction

Christie's New York will host a Post-War and Contemporary Art sale on May 13 that could see a $400 million day. Christie's expects several records to be set. Highlights include Francis Bacon's 1976 Three Studies for Self -Portrait, estimated at $25 - $35 million; Lucian Freud nude, billed as the most important Freud painting ever offered at auction, also est. $25 - $35 million.

Charles Dickens's works on auction

Rare works by Charles Dickens will be on the auction block at Christie's New York auction house and may fetch around 2 million dollars. An association copy of Oliver Twist, which is inscribed by Dickens to a fellow author, is the highlight of the auction. It is estimated to sell at between $200,000 and $300,000.

Christie's head of books and manuscripts, Thomas Lecky, believes several factors contribute to the book's high price tag.

Charles Dickens Collection To Be Auctioned Off

Christie's New York will auction off The Kenyon Starling Library of Charles Dickens on April 2. The collection includes a complete set of Charles Dickens's contributions to The Monthly Magazine or British Register of Politics, Literature, Art, Science, and the Belles Lettres. London: A. Robertson; Cochrane and M'Crone; James Cochrane and Co., December, 1833-1835.

1937 Matisse Sells for $33.6 Million

A 1937 Henri Matisse painting set a new auction record for the artist at Christie's, where it went for $33.6 million reports IHT.

The Matisse work, "L'Odalisque, Harmonie Blueue," features one of the artist's favorite models lounging behind a bouquet set on a table.

The buyer was not identified.

Bejeweled gold mouse

This 18-carat gold, enamel and black onyx automaton mouse will be be auctioned at Christie's on November 15 for an expected price between 100,000 and 150,000 Swiss Francs ($87,000 and $131,000).

Christie's to auction Rare mechanical Faberge egg

Christie's International will auction a newly-discovered Faberge egg featuring a mechanical, diamond-encrusted cockerel, at the Christie’s International's Russian winter auction in London next month. The Faberge egg is expected to fetch up to $20 million. Peter Carl Faberge presented the egg in 1902 to Baron Edouard de Rothschild as an engagement gift. The cockerel pops out every hour to flap its wings, bob its head and crow.

The egg has been described as unusually large and enameled in pink with gold detailing.