Al Kowsky Posted October 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) The collection of Rothschild renaissance masterpieces auctioned recently by Christie's concluded, with 60 lots totaling over $43 million 😮! My two favorite objects are pictured below ☺️. Roman sardonyx cameo of the Emperor Claudius, AD 41-54. Gold mount made by Daniel Mignot, Augsburg, c. 1593-96. The dangling baroque pearl was added during the 19th century. Doesn't the dangling pearl seem like "gilding the Lilly" 😏? Price realized $2.1 million. Gilded silver nautilus cup toped by the goddess Niki, Cornelis van der Burch, 1607. Price realized $1.5 million. https://www.christies.com/auction/auction-22100-nyr Edited October 13, 2023 by Al Kowsky spelling correction 4 1 1 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted October 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 13, 2023 I would not know what to do with some of this stuff. Are you supposed to actually sit on chairs, that sold for 6.2 million? Or do you place them somewhere, and look at them? Are will they get slabbed for safe keeping? https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6439014?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intobjectid=6439014&from=salessummary&lid=1 2 1 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Limes said: I would not know what to do with some of this stuff. Are you supposed to actually sit on chairs, that sold for 6.2 million? Or do you place them somewhere, and look at them? Are will they get slabbed for safe keeping? https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6439014?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intobjectid=6439014&from=salessummary&lid=1 Do you mean NGC slab or mortuary slab 😜? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted October 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 13, 2023 2 hours ago, Limes said: I would not know what to do with some of this stuff. Are you supposed to actually sit on chairs, that sold for 6.2 million? Or do you place them somewhere, and look at them? Are will they get slabbed for safe keeping? https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6439014?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intobjectid=6439014&from=salessummary&lid=1 I mean, I bet this thing is dishwasher safe. Just imagine how nice my PB&J and baby carrots would look on this 2 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rand Posted October 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) The Rothschild family has been the most prominent donor of art ever. They have donated over 120,000 pieces of art to over 200 museums and libraries in France alone https://academic.oup.com/jhc/article-abstract/30/1/182/4584180?redirectedFrom=fulltext. Significant donations have been made in Britain, including the British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/waddesdon-bequest, US museums and museums everywhere. The family's coin collection scope remains a mystery, and I hope it still contains many treasures preserved over centuries. Below is one of the most beautiful Anastasius solidi (likely minted by Ostrogoths), donated to Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b11350297w Edited October 13, 2023 by Rand 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 2 hours ago, Rand said: The Rothschild family has been the most prominent donor of art ever. They have donated over 120,000 pieces of art to over 200 museums and libraries in France alone https://academic.oup.com/jhc/article-abstract/30/1/182/4584180?redirectedFrom=fulltext. Significant donations have been made in Britain, including the British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/waddesdon-bequest, US museums and museums everywhere. The family's coin collection scope remains a mystery, and I hope it still contains many treasures preserved over centuries. Below is one of the most beautiful Anastasius solidi (likely minted by Ostrogoths), donated to Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b11350297w Rand, Thanks for posting this magnificent solidus from the BNdF 🤩. The coin is without doubt issued by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, & engraved by a master. For comparison below is an inferior example from my collection. The BNdF coin is engraved in higher relief with a more sensitive portrait. The helmets are different & Victory is wearing a helmet on the BNdF coin & my Victory is bear-headed. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rand Posted October 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said: The coin is without doubt issued by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, & engraved by a master. Master engraving, indeed. I have never been able to find another one from the same dies. This is mine closesed I have. Still, does not compare in stile. They are likely from Mediolanum, likely earlier that the well recognised series from this city (which constinues rather lovely style). The second coin is from this later series - looks better in hand. Roma Numismatics Limited. Auction 25. 22/09/2022 Solidus Numismatik. Auction 31. 30/06/2018 PS. A lovely solidus from Rome. I feel, we are still missing Ostrogoth types from Rome. Hopefully there are more to come. Edited October 13, 2023 by Rand 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 14, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 14, 2023 6 hours ago, Rand said: Master engraving, indeed. I have never been able to find another one from the same dies. This is mine closesed I have. Still, does not compare in stile. They are likely from Mediolanum, likely earlier that the well recognised series from this city (which constinues rather lovely style). The second coin is from this later series - looks better in hand. Roma Numismatics Limited. Auction 25. 22/09/2022 Solidus Numismatik. Auction 31. 30/06/2018 PS. A lovely solidus from Rome. I feel, we are still missing Ostrogoth types from Rome. Hopefully there are more to come. The solidus from the Roma auction is superbly engraved 😍, & the solidus from the Numismatik auction has that rare MD monogram on the reverse 😊. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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