21.8.10

HISTORIC GOLD BAR STOLEN FROM FLORIDA MUSEUM


THIEVES STOLE A $550,000 GOLD BAR FROM A TREASURE MUSEUM WHERE IT WENT ON DISPLAY AFTER A FLORIDA SAVAGER RECOVERED IT FROM THE WRECK OF A SPANISH GALLEON THAT LAY ON THE OCEAN FLOOR FOR CENTURIES, THE MUSEUM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAID. THE 74.85 OUNCE GOLD BAR WAS STOLEN ON WEDNESDAY FROM THE MEL FISHER MARITIME MUSEUM IN KEY WEST, FLORIDA, IN WHAT A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSEUM CALLED 'A VERY QUIET SMASH AND GRAB'. THE 11 INCH GOLD BAR WAS INSIDE A GLASS CASE WITH A SMALL OPENING WHERE VISITORS COULD STICK A HAND INSIDE AND LIFT THE BAR TO EXAMINE IT. FOOTAGE FROM THE MUSEUM'S SECURITY CAMERA SHOWED TWO CULPRITS WHO MADE OFF WITH IT, AND THE FBI AND LOCAL POLICE WERE INVESTIGATING. THE MUSEUM'S INSURER OFFERED A $10,000 REWARD FOR ITS SAFE RETURN, THE MUSEUM SPOKESMAN ADDED. GOLD HAS HOVERED NEAR HISTORIC HIGHS AFTER HITTING A RECORD HIGH $1,266.50 AN OUNCE IN JUNE, BUT THE STOLEN BAR'S VALUATION REFLECTS HISTORIC VALUE FAR BEYOND ITS MELT-DOWN WORTH. MEL FISHER, A KEY WEST TREASURE HUNTER WHO DIED IN 1998, RECOVERED THE BAR IN 1980 FROM THE WRECK OF THE SANTA MARGARITA, A SPANISH GALLEON THAT SANK OFF THE FLORIDA KEYS DURING A HURRICANE IN 1622. THE GOLD BAR HAS SEVERAL DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS, INCLUDING ROMAN NUMERALS SIGNIFYING IT WAS 16 CARAT GOLD, A SYMBOL IDENTIFYING ITS OWNER, AND A SERIES OF DOTS INDICATING WHAT TAXES THE OWNER HAD PAID TO THE SPANISH CROWN. THE THEFT WAS THE TALK OF KEY WEST, AN ISLAND TOWN OF 25,000 PEOPLE AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE FLORIDA KEYS.

THE MET TO PRESENT 'MIRO: THE DUTCH INTERIORS'


DURING A TRIP TO THE NETHERLANDS IN SPRING 1928, THE CATALAN PAINTER JOAN MIRO (1893–1983) PURCHASED POSTCARDS FROM THE MUSEUMS HE VISITED. TWO 17th CENTURY DUTCH GENRE SCENES PARTICULARLY CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION AND SERVED AS THE INSPIRATION FOR A SERIES OF PAINTINGS HE CREATED THAT SUMMER. THE TRAVELING EXHIBITION 'MIRO: THE DUTCH INTERIORS', WHICH OPENS AT THE RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM, AND WILL BE ON VIEW AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART BEGINNING 5.OCTOBER, FEATURES MIRO'S THREE 'DUTCH INTERIORS' AND TWO OLD MASTER PAINTINGS ON WHICH THEY ARE BASED. THE NEW YORK VENUE WILL ALSO SHOW PREPARATORY DRAWINGS AND ADDITIONAL PAINTINGS BY MIRO IN THE METROPOLITAN'S COLLECTION. THE EXHIBITION IS THE FIRST IN WHICH MIRO'S PAINTINGS HAVE BEEN HUNG ALONGSIDE THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE PICTURES THAT INSPIRED THEM. THE EXHIBITION BRINGS TOGETHER THREE PAINTINGS BY MIRO, DUTCH INTERIOR I, DUTCH INTERIOR II AND DUTCH INTERIOR III, THAT ARE BASED ON TWO 17th CENTURY WORKS IN AMSTERDAM'S RIJKMUSUEM. THE DUTCH PAINTINGS, THE LUTE PLAYER BY HENDRICK SORGH AND CHILDREN TEACHING A CAT TO DANCE BY JAN STEEN, BOTH FEATURE A MUSICIAN, AN AUDIENCE OF ONE OR MORE PEOPLE, AND A CAT AND A DOG. WHEN REINTERPRETED BY MIRO, THE SCENES UNDERGO A COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS. WHEN STEEN'S HUMOROUS GENRE SCENE WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGINATIVE DUTCH INTERIOR II, MIRO ENLARGED AND FOCUSED ON THE ANIMATE FIGURES, BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL, WHILE DE-EMPHASIZING THE INANIMATE OBJECTS. THE CAT IS AT THE SWIRLING CENTER OF MIRO'S COMPOSITION, AND THE NOISE AND CHAOS OF THE DANCING LESSON ARE COMMUNICATED THROUGH MOTION AND RHYTHM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.metmuseum.org

DALI STATUE STOLEN FROM EXHIBITION IN BELGIUM


THE SCULPTURE 'WOMAN WITH DRAWERS' BY SALVADOR DALI, VALUED AT OVER $90,000, WAS STOLEN FROM AN EXHIBITION HALL IN BRUGES (NW BELGIUM), THE BELGIAN PRESS REPORTED TODAY. A SECURITY CAMERA FILMED HOW THE THIEVES HID THE STATUE INA BAG AND LEFT THE SHOW SHORTLY AFTER NOON WEDNESDAY, IMAGES THAT ARE BEING ANALYZED BY POLICE, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS. THE THEFT HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED YET BY THE COMPANY HOSTING THE EXHIBITION, INTERART. THE WORK, A BRONZE OF ABOUT 50 CENTIMETERS WIDE AND 30 WIDE TALL, WEIGHS ABOUT TEN KILOS. INTERART HAS BEEN ORGANIZING SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITIONS WITH WORK OF THE SPANISH SURREALIST PAINTER SALVADOR DALI SINCE 1991. INTERART EXHIBITED A LARGE COLLECTION OF DALI'S PAINTINGS, WATERCOLOURS, DRAWINGS AND OBJECTS AT THE BRUGES ARTS CENTER OUD SINT-JAN IN 1997. AFTER YEARS OF COLLECTING AND RESEARCH, INTERART OPENED THE PERMANENT MUSEUM-GALLERY XPO: SALVADOR DALI, MARQUIS DE PUBOL IN THE BELFRY OF BRUGES. THE OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF WATERCOLOURS, DRAWINGS, SCULPTURES AND FAMOUS WORKS OF GRAPHIC ART ARE ON DISPLAY IN A UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE BUILDING, WHICH HAS BEEN DECORATED BY BARRON SAINT MYTHELFINGER, THE 360° ARTIST DESIGNER OF GRAND OPERA DECOR. HE TRANSFERRED THE MEDIEVAL HALL INTO A DALINIAN SHOWROOM, A WORK OF ART ON ITSELF. ITS COLOURS ARE GOLD, MOTHER OF PEARL AND SHOCKING PINK.

20.8.10

VDARA HOTEL TO PRESENT 'THE ABBEY BEACH' PARTY


THE LUXURIOUS VDARA HOTEL AT CITYCENTER IN LAS VEGAS HAS BECOME THE LATEST TO HAVE A SUNDAY POOL PARTY, BUT THEIRS HAS A UNIQUE TWIST. THE HOTEL HAS PARTNERED WITH THE POPULAR ICONIC GAY HOLLYWOOD HOTSPOT, THE ABBEY AND LAS VEGAS PARTY PLANNER EDUARDO CORDOVA TO CREATE 'THE ABBEY BEACH', A LGBT POOL PARTY. EACH SUNDAY BEGINNING 22.AUGUST, VDARA POOL & LOUNGE WILL BECOME A BEACH THEMED PARTY WITH COULOURFUL FLAGS, BEACH BALLS AND BEACH SAND, WHILE ITS 19 CABANAS WILL BE SERVICED BY THE BEAUTIFUL ABBEY BOYS. THE ABBEY'S BARTENDERS FROM WEST HOLLYWOOD WILL MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCES TO KEEP THE MOJITOS AND MARTINIS FLOWING WHILE A ROTATING LINEUP FROM THE ABBEY'S RESIDENT DJs WILL KEEP THE PARTY MOVING. 'WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME THE LGBT COMMUNITY WITH HIGH-ENERGY, UPSCALE PARTY UNLIKE ANYTHING IN LAS VEGAS', SAID MARY GIULIANO, GENERAL MANAGER FOR VDARA HOTEL 7 SPA. 'WITH OUR DESIGNER ARCHITECTURE, PERSONAL SERVICE AND UNIQUE LOCATION, VDARA IS QUICKLY BECOMING A HOT DESTINATION FOR THE SOPHISTICATED LGBT TRAVELER.' THE ABBEY BEACH AT VDARA POOL 7 LOUNGE OCCURS EVERY SUNDAY NOW THROUGH 26.SEPTEMBER, NOON-6.pm, LABOR DAY WEEKEND'S EVENT WILL MOVE FROM SUNDAY TO MONDAY. COVER IS COMPLEMENTARY FOR VDARA HOTEL GUESTS, $10 FOR LAS VEGAS LOCALS AND $20 FOR ALL OTHER GUESTS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.vdara.com

LOUIS VUITTON TRAVEL 2010




THE LATEST LOUIS VUITTON CAMPAIGN FOR THE TRAVEL 2010 CATOLOG WAS SHOT IN AFRICA AND STARS THE BEAUTIFUL GREAT GRAND-DAUGHTER OF ERNEST HEMINGWAY, DREE HEMINGWAY. THE ELEGANT AND STUNNING JOURNEY, WHICH INCLUDES SUNSETS, LION CUBS AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ICONIC LOUIS VUITTON ACCESSORIES AND FASHIONS, WAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY CARTER SMITH, DIRECTED BY WILLIAM SNIEG, STYLED BY ANTJE AND PRODUCED BY BRACHFELD.


QUEEN VICTORIA'S GIFT TO JOHN BROWN SELLS FOR £23,400


CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROM QUEEN VICTORIA TO HER FAVORITE PERSONAL SERVANT, JOHN BROWN, SOLD FOR £23,400 AT BONHAMS SCOTTISH SALE IN EDINBURGH. A SILVER MOUNTED CLARET JUG, ENGRAVED 'V.R. TO J.B/VICTORIA 1872', WHICH REMAINED IN BROWN'S FAMILY UNTIL ACQUIRED BY THE CURRENT OWNER IN THE 1960s, SOLD FOR £14,300. IT HAD BEEN ESTIMATED AT £4,000 – 6,000. A TEAPOT ENGRAVED 'FROM VICTORIA R/CHRISTMAS 1876' AND MONOGRAMMED 'J.B.', WHICH WAS ESTIMATED FOR £5,000 – 7,000, SOLD FOR £9000. TWO VERY PERSONAL TRIBUTES TO BROWN PRODUCED AFTER HIS DEATH IN 1883 ALSO SOLD FOR WELL OVER THEIR ESTIMATES. A PRESENTATION MEMORIAL LOCKET CONTAINING AN ENAMELED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT OF JOHN BROWN AND A LOCK OF HIS HAIR INSCRIBED ON THE FRONT 'DEAR JOHN/27 MARCH 1883' AND ON THE REVERSE 'FROM V.R.I.' MADE £13,200. A MEMORIAL STICKPIN WITH AN ENAMELED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT AND THE ENGRAVING 'UNCLE JOHN/27 MARCH/FROM V.R.I.' PRESENTED BY THE QUEEN TO ONE OF BROWN'S NEPHEWS FETCHED £4,560. A GOLD MEMORIAL STICKPIN OF BROWN DESIGNED FOR HER HIGHLAND SERVANTS AND COTTAGERS TO BE WORN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH, MADE £2,880. AND FINALLY, A PAINTED PORCELAIN PLAQUE OF ONE OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA'S FAVORITE DOGS, FERN, PRESENTED TO BROWN BY HER MAJESTY WAS SOLD FOR £10,560.

19.8.10

ART LOSS REGISTER RETURNS THREE RARE COINS TO OWNER


IT WAS NEARLY TEN YEARS AGO WHEN PROMINENT BRITISH COIN DEALER STEPHEN FENTON OF KNIGHTSBRIDGE COINS PURCHASED FIVE RARE COINS AT A SOTHEBY'S AUCTION IN NEW YORK. POST SALE, FENTON ENTRUSTED FEDEX TO SHIP THE COINS OVERNIGHT, AND AS PROMISED, THE BOX ARRIVED NEXT DAY AT KNIGHTSBRIDGE COINS IN LONDON. IMAGINE FENTON'S SURPRISE WHEN HE OPENED THE PACKAGE TO FIND IT STUFFED FULL OF WHITE PACKING PAPER BUT NO COINS. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDEX OFFICIALS WERE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED. INVESTIGATORS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE COINS HAD NEVER LEFT THE US, ON THE BASIS THAT THE GREEN AND WHITE STRIPED TAPE USED TO RESEAL THE BOX AFTER IT WAS LOOTED WAS EXCLUSIVELY USED AT NEWARK AIRPORT'S FEDEX WAREHOUSE IN NEW JERSEY. THOUGH POLICE QUESTIONED A FORMER FEDEX EMPLOYEE, THE THIEF WAS NEVER CAUGHT. FENTON PROCEEDED TO REGISTER ALL FIVE COINS ON THE ART LOSS REGISTER'S INTERNATIONAL DATABASE OF STOLEN AND MISSING ART, A RESOURCE THAT CHAMPIONS DUE DILIGENCE CHECKS PRIOR TO GOOD FAITH PURCHASES OF ARTWORKS AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. A DECADE LATER, THREE OF THE FIVE COINS LOOTED APPEARED AT AUCTION, A GERMAN EAST AFRICA, 15 RUPIEN COIN (1916), A JAPANESE, MUTSUHITO, 1867-1912, 20 YEN COIN, GOLD, MEIJI 3 (1870), AND A BRITISH COLONIAL PROOF TRADE DOLLAR COIN, STRUCK IN GOLD (1902). TODAY, THE THREE COINS ARE COLLECTIVELY VALUED AT OVER £30,000. FENTON ENLISTED IN THE ALR TO CONTACT THE THREE AUCTION HOUSE INVOLVED, AND THE COINS WERE PULLED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE SALES. ANOTHER MAJOR COIN DEALER FROM THE UNITED STATES WHO HAD CONSIGNED ALL THREE LOTS, CLAIMED HE HAD PURCHASED THE COINS IN GOOD FAITH FROM ANOTHER DEALER. WITH THE HELP OF DETECTIVE ROBERT MEDAGLIA OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY POLICE, THE CASE WAS REOPENED AND A RELEASE WAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE COSIGNER. THE COINS WERE RETURNED TO FENTON BY THE ALR ON BEHALF OF HIS INSURER. 'EVERYONE'S ENTITLED TO A SECOND CHANCE', SAYS MARINELLO. 'WHEN IT CAME TIME TO SHIP THE COINS FROM NEW YORK LAW ENFORCEMENT BACK TO LONDON, WE DECIDED TO USE FEDEX.'

ASCHER STUDIO ISSUES FIRST COLLECTION IN THIRTY YEARS


ASCHER STUDIO, FORTH GENERATION GRAND WIZARDS OF THE FABULOUS SCARF, ARE LAUNCHING THEIR FIRST NEW COLLECTION OF SCARVES IN THIRTY YEARS. TO LAUNCH THE COLLECTION, ASCHER APPEARED AT THE RECENT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR, WHERE THEY TOOK A STAND IN THE FASHION ACCESSORIES SECTION. THIS WAS ASCHER'S FIRST APPEARANCE AT A GIFT FAIR, EVER. SAM ASCHER, FOURTH GENERATION DIRECTOR OF THE ICONIC COMPANY, IS A YOUNG MAN ON A MISSION. 'THIS WAS THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF OUR NEW SCARF LINE IN THE US FOR BUYERS AND PRESS. WE ARE COMMUNICATING THE HISTORY OF OUR COMPANY AND TALKING ABOUT THE DIRECTION AND THE FUTURE THAT WE SEE FOR OURSELVES IN THE FASHION AND HOME ACCESSORIES BUSINESS.' THE ASCHER NAME IS CLOSELY LINKED TO GREAT MID-CENTURY FASHION DESIGNERS SUCH AS CHRISTIAN DIOR, HUBER DE GIVENCY, JEAN MUIR AND PIERRE CARDIN, FOR WHOM THEY MADE TEXTILES. IN ADDITION, THE VISIONARY ZIKA ASCHER, SAM'S GRANDFATHER, HAD CLOSE LINKS TO FINE ARTISTS IN FRANCE AND ENGLAND, AND AS EUROPE BEGAN TO HEAL AFTER THE DECIMATION OF WWII, HE REALIZED THESE ARTISTS NEEDED WORK, SO HE ASKED THEM TO DESIGN SCARVES AND PRINT DESIGNS FOR HIM. THUS BEGAN A SERIES OF COMMISSIONS FROM ARTISTS WHOSE NAMES INSPIRE AWE: MATISSE, PICASSO, JEAN COCTEAU, HENRY MOORE, PAUL NASH AND ALEXANDER CALDER ARE AMONG THEM. NOW SAM IS FORGING INTO THE FUTURE WITH A NEW COLLECTION OF SCARVES SILK-SCREENED ONTO SILK TWILL, SILK CHIFFON AND A SUMPTUOUS CASHMERE/MODAL BLEND. DESIGNS BY GRAHAM SUTHERLAND, FELIKS TOPOLSKI, GERALD WILDE AND ALEXANDER CALDER, HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM THE ASCHER ARCHIVES, AND RE-ISSUED IN VIBRANT NEW COLOURWAYS. THE WILDE PIECE IS TAKEN FROM A FABRIC WORN BY PRINCESS ELIZABETH ON HER ROYAL TOUR OF AUSTRALIA IN 1947. EACH SCARF HAS ASCHER LONDON ON THE LABEL, TO DONATE THAT THE DESIGN IS DIFFERENT FROM THE LIMITED EDITIONS ISSUED DURING THE ZIKA ASCHER'S LONDON PERIOD. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE 4 NEW DESIGNS, STARTING WITH FLOWERS, AN OPTIMISTIC FLORAL ORIGINALLY BY SAM'S GRANDMOTHER LIDA, WHICH HE HAS RECONFIGURED IN BLACK OR PINK. THE ASCHER PLAID IS FUN AND QUIRKY IN GREY, BLACK AND BRIGHT PINK. ROSE POMPOM IS BASED ON AN ASCHER PATTERN THAT FEATURED PROMINENTLY IN THE CHRISTIAN DIOR COLLECTION OF 1954, NOW AN ABSOLUTE SMASH IN BEIGE, GRAY/MAGENTA OR PINK CASHMERE. PAPIER DECHIRE IS A GEOMETRIC ABSTRACT IN BEIGE OR BLUE, REMINISCENT OF AN EARLY 1960s NON-OBJECTIVE PAINTING. SAM HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP A LINE OF INTERIORS ACCESSORIES, USING BOTH VINTAGE AND NEW DESIGNS. 'WE ARE HOPING TO COMMISSION NEW ARTISTS FOR SCARVES AND INTERIORS ACCESSORIES TOO. THE FUTURE IS WIDE OPEN!!' HE SAYS WITH A SMILE.

BONHAMS TO SELL RARE 1948 'WOODIE'


BONHAMS WILL PRESENT AN EXTREMELY RARE 1948 STREAMLINER 'WOODIE' STATION WAGON, ESTIMATED AT $50,000-70,000, AT THE SALE OF FINE MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA AT THE WEEKEND DE L'EXCELLENCE AUTOMOBILE HELD ON THE FORMER SITE OF THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT OF REIMS-GUEUX ON 11.SEPTEMBER. THE 'WOODIE' STATION WAGON, WITH ITS CHARACTERISTICALLY HALF-TIMBERED BODY, RANKS ALONGSIDE THE PICKUP TRUCK AS A QUINTESSENTIALLY AMERICAN VEHICLE. THE STYLE ORIGINATED IN THE 1930s, ITS POPULARITY PEAKING IN THE IMMEDIATELY POST-WAR DECADES, THOUGH THE LOOK HAS BEEN PERIODICALLY REVIVED BY MANUFACTURES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC EVER SINCE. TOWARDS THE END OF THE 1950s THE WOODIE BECAME THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE AMONG CALIFORNIA SURFERS, WHO APPRECIATED ITS ABILITY TO CARRY SEVERAL PASSENGERS AND THEIR BOARDS. SURFER POP BANDS THE BEACH BOYS AND JAN & DEAN BOTH REFERRED TO THEM IN HIT SINGLES, THEREBY ENSHRINING THE WOODIE'S CULT STATUS. PONTIACS OF THIS PERIOD ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO BY THE SILVER STREAK NAME, A REFERENCE TO THEIR MULTIPLE CHROMED HOOD STRIPS, A STYLING DEVICE FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE MID-1930s. BOASTING A WHEELBASE OF 122", THE PONTIAC STREAMLINER WOODIE WAS THE LARGEST ON THE MARKET AND COULD SIT UP TO NINE, ALTERNATIVELY REMOVING THE REAR SEATS CREATED MORE SPACE. THE 1948 MODEL IS THE LAST OF WHAT MIGHT BE TERMED THE 'REAL' WOODIES, WHEN THE ENTIRE REAR BODY STRUCTURE WAS MADE OF TIMBER. IN 1949 STEEL WAS USED FOR THE ROOF AND PROGRESSIVELY FEWER COMPONENTS WERE MADE OF WOOD UP UNTIL 1953 WHEN THE LAST OF THE PONTIAC STATION WAGONS WAS MADE. MANUFACTURED BY SKILLED CRAFTSMEN AT THE YPSYLANTI FURNITURE CO IN MICHIGAN, THE BODY OF THE 1948 WOODIE INCOPORATES 523 PARTS MADE FROM EITHER MAHOGANY OR CANADIAN MAPLE.

18.8.10

THE MET SETS RECORD ATTENDANCE WITH PICASSO EXHIBITION


THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF FINE ART ANNOUNCED THAT THE LANDMARK EXHIBITION 'PICASSO IN THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART' DREW 703,256 VISITORS DURING ITS 17 WEEK PRESENTATION AT THE MUSEUM WHICH ENDS SUNDAY, MAKING IT THE MOST HIGHLY ATTENDED SHOW SINCE 2001. ON VIEW FROM 19.APRIL THROUGH 22.AUGUST, PICASSO BECAME THE SEVENTH MOST HIGHLY ATTENDED EXHIBITION AT THE METROPOLITAN SINCE THE MUSEUM FIRST BEGAN TRACKING EXHIBITION ATTENDANCE NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO. IT WAS THE FIRST EXHIBITION TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THE REMARKABLE ARRAY OF WORKS BY PABLO PICASSO IN THE METROPOLITAN'S COLLECTION. 'WE ARE ESPECIALLY PLEASED AND PROUD THAT A SPECIAL EXHIBITION FROM THE MET'S OWN SUPERB COLLECTIONS HAS EARNED SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC RESPONSE. THE HEARTENING ATTENDANCE AT PICASSO IN THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IS A TESTAMENT NOT ONLY TO THE ENDURING POPULARITY OF THIS ICONIC ARTIST, BUT TO THE RICHNESS AND DEPTH OF THE MUSEUM'S HOLDINGS OF HIS WORKS, AS WELL THE FRESH SCHOLARSHIP AND PATIENT CONSERVATION WORK BROUGHT TO BEAR BY THE MUSEUM'S PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN ORDER TO STUDY AND MOUNT THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME SHOW. WE ARE GRATEFUL INDEED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION, AS WE ARE TO THE PUBLIC FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY SHOW OF INTEREST AND SUPPORT', SAID A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE MUSEUM IN A RECENT INTERVIEW. PICASSO IN THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART FEATURED 300 WORKS BY PICASSO AND PROVIDED AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW TOGETHER ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT COLLECTIONS OF THE ARTIST'S WORK. THE EXHIBITION REVEALED THE MUSEUM'S COMPLETE HOLDINGS OF THE ARTIST'S PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS AND CERAMICS, NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AS WELL AS AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF PRINTS. AMONG THE MASTERPIECES ON VIEW IN THE EXHIBITION WERE: SEATED HARLEQUIN (1951), THE BLIND MAN'S MEAL (1903), THE ACTOR (1904-05), AT THE LAPIN AGILE (1905), GERTRUDE STEIN (1905-06), STANDING FEMALE NUDE (1910), HEAD OF A WOMAN (1922) AND THE DREAMER (1932).

MORETTI FINE ART TO PRESENT 'BODY AND SOUL'


IN THEIR FIRST COLLABORATIVE EXHIBITION, TWO RENOWNED RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE FINE ART SPECIALISTS, ANDREW BUTTERFIELD OF ANDREW BUTTERFIELD FINE ARTS AND FABRIZIO MORETTI OF MORETTI FINE ART, WILL PRESENT 'BODY AND SOUL: MASTERPIECES OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE SCULPTURE' FROM 21.OCTOBER THROUGH 18.NOVEMBER AT MORETTI FINE ART, 24 EAST 80th STREET NEW YORK. 'WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT THIS GROUP OF TWELVE RARE MASTERPIECES OF ITALIAN SCULPTURE, WHICH ARE ON VIEW FOR THE FIRST TIME', SAID ANDREW BUTTERFIELD. 'WE HAVE ASSEMBLED THE BEST OF THE BEST OF MUSEUM-QUALITY WORKS OF ART THAT REPRESENT THE EPITOME OF RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE ARTISTRY.' ACCORDING TO BUTTERFIELD, SCULPTURE IS ONE AREA OF THE MARKET WHERE IT IS STILL POSSIBLE FOR A COLLECTOR TO ASSEMBLE A GREAT COLLECTION WORTHY OF A TOP INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM. THE WORKS THAT BUTTERFIELD AND MORETTI HAVE ACQUIRED FOR THE EXHIBITION, INCLUDE SCULPTURES BY RICCIO (THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT EXHIBITION AT THE FRICK COLLECTION), VERROCCHIO (LEONARDO DA VINCI'S TEACHER) AND ALGARDI, COMBINE IDEALISM AND NATURALISM OF FORM WITH INTENSITY AND DEPTH OF EXPRESSION. IN THE SELECTED WORKS THE ARTISTS AIMED TO GRASP NOT ONLY THE OUTER APPEARANCE BUT ALSO THE INNER LIFE OF THE FIGURES THEY REPRESENT, HENCE THE EXHIBITION'S TITLE, BODY AND SOUL. THE RANGE OF EMOTION DEPICTED IS EXTRAORDINARY, FROM THE PEACE AND SERENITY OF SANSOVIN'S CHARITY, LITERALLY AN EMBODIMENT OF DIVINE LOVE, TO THE FEAR AND ANGER OF VERROCCHIO'S MEDUSA, A MANIFESTATION OF OLYMPIAN TERROR. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION IS MADONNA BY ANDREA RICCIO, A LIFE-LIKE SCULPTURE, WHICH IS THE FIRST SCULPTURE BY THE ARTIST TO BE REDISCOVERED IN MANY YEARS, AND IS THE FIRST WORK BY HIM IN TERRACOTTA TO COME ON THE MARKET SINCE THE THYSSEN MADONNA AND CHILD WAS ACQUIRED BY THE J PAUL GETTY MUSEUM IN 2002. 'THIS IS A SCULPTURE OF EXTRAORDINARY POWER', SAID BUTTERFIELD. 'IT IS LIKE A GREAT BELLINI MADONNA, ONLY IN 3-D.'

FREEMAN'S TO HOLD FIRST POP CULTURE SALE


FREEMAN'S AUCTION HOUSE HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS FIRST SALE OF POP CULTURE AND MEMORABILIA. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SIMEON LIPMAN, OF ANTIQUES ROADSHOW FAME, THE 3.SEPTEMBER AUCTION WILL FEATURE BOTH CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSIC SPORTS, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT MEMORABILIA, ALONGSIDE NEW EMERGING MARKETS SUCH AS PUNK AND HIP HOP, DESIGNER TOYS, AND STREET ART. THIS VARIETY OF GENRES WILL APPEAL TO A BROAD AUDIENCE, INCLUDING MOVIE BUFFS, SPORTS FANS AND URBAN ART ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE. A RARE HIGHLIGHT OF THE AUCTION IS A REMARKABLE TWO-PAGE LETTER FROM FRANK SINATRA TO CHICAGO DAILY NEWS WRITER MIKE ROYKO, WRITTEN AFTER ROYKO CRITICIZED SINATRA AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE. THE LETTER, WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $10,000-15,000, WAS FAMOUSLY PENNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY SINATRA IN MAY 1976. IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORIC LETTER, THE AUCTION WILL INCLUDE MORE THAN 310 ITEMS FROM CELEBRITIES LIKE MARILYN MONROE AND THE BEASTIE BOYS, PROPS AND COSTUMES FROM MOVIES LIKE BLADE RUNNER AND TERMINATOR 2, AND ORIGINAL GRAFFITI ART FROM UNDERGROUND ARTISTS. IN TOTAL, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR ANY FAN OF CURRENT AND PAST MOVIE, MUSIC AND SPORTING TRADITION.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.freemansauction.com

17.8.10

FAMOUS TERRACOTTA ARMY TO BE EXHIBITED IN STOCKHOLM


PART OF THE CHINESE TERRACOTTA ARMY AND THE MOST RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN STOCKHOLM DURING THE FALL OF 2010. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE UNIQUE SINCE IT WILL BE DISPLAYED IN A SPECTACULAR ENVIRONMENT AND FEATURE SEVERAL NEW UNIQUE FINDINGS FROM OTHER SIMILAR GRAVE-SITES. FOR THE FIRST TIME OUTSIDE OF CHINA THE ARTIFACTS WILL BE DISPLAYED UNDER GROUND, IN THE SECRET ROCK GALLERIES BELOW THE MUSEUM OF FAR EASTERN ANTIQUITIES IN CENTRAL STOCKHOLM. THE SETTING IS SIMILAR TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE ARTIFACTS ONCE WERE FOUND. 'AS A VISITOR ONE WILL GET THAT SENSE OF THE FIRST MAGICAL MOMENT ENCOUNTERING THE ARMY FACE TO FACE IN THE EXCAVATION SITUATION', SAID THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR. THE SETTING IS IDEAL, UTILIZING THE SUBTERRANEAN SECRET ROCK GALLERIES, THE FORMER NAVAL BASE OF THE SWEDISH NAVY. IT IS SITUATED ON THE ISLAND OF SKEPPSHOLMEN, OPPOSITE OF THE ROYAL PALACE. THE ROCK GALLERIES ARE USUALLY NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

JIMI HENDRIX EXHIBITION TO BE SHOWN AT HIS FORMER HOME


CLOTHING, MEMENTOS AND HANDWRITTEN LYRICS BELONGING TO JIMI HENDRIX ARE GOING ON DISPLAY AT HIS FORMER LONDON HOME TO MARK THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH. THE GUITARIST LIVED DURING THE LATE 1960s IN AN APARTMENT IN THE MAYFAIR AREA OF LONDON. HE DIED IN THE CITY OF 18.SEPTEMBER.1970. COMPOSER GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL LIVED NEXT DOOR IN THE 18th CENTURY, AND HENDRIX'S FORMER HOME IS NOW PART OF THE HANDEL HOUSE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM IS HOLDING AN EXHIBITION DEVOTED TO HENDRIX'S LONDON YEARS, WHICH OPENS 25,AUGUST AND RUNS TO 7.NOVEMBER. FOR 12 DAYS IN SEPTEMBER VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO TOUR THE ROOMS WHERE HENDRIX LIVED, WHICH ARE NOT USUALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BROUGHT TO LONDON BY MANAGER CHAS CHANDLER IN SEPTEMBER 1966, HENDRIX QUICKLY ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION AS A SPECTACULAR LIVE PERFORMER. 23 BROOK STREET, WHICH CARRIES AN ENGLISH HERITAGE BLUE PLAQUE IN MEMORY OF HENDRIX (ALONG WITH A BLUE PLAQUE FOR HANDEL), IS THE ONLY HENDRIX SITE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO BE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED. WHEN HE MOVED IN WITH KATHY ETCHINGHAM IN 1968, THE RENT CHARGE WAS £30 PER WEEK. HENDRIX AND ETCHINGHAM ENTERTAINED MANY FRIENDS, MUSICIANS AND CONTEMPORARIES IN THE FLAT. HENDRIX IN BRITAIN WILL EXPLORE THE PARTICULAR CONTRIBUTION HENDRIX MADE TO THE SOUND OF THE ELECTRIC GUITAR, EXAMINING HIS PERSONAL STYLE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY ON STAGE AND IN THE STUDIO. IT WILL FEATURE A CONTEMPORARY MAP OF LONDON SHOWING SIGNIFICANT HENDRIX-RELATED SITES, INCLUDING THE VENUES HE PLAYED. THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO HOST A SERIES OF SPECIAL EVENTS TO ACCOMPANY THE EXHIBITION.

FLORENCE AND ROME DEBATE OWNERSHIP OF 'DAVID'


FLORENCE'S MAYOR IS DEFENDING HIS CITY'S OWNERSHIP OF MICHELANGELO'S MARBLE MASTERPIECE 'DAVID' AFTER THE CULTURE MINISTRY REPORTEDLY ASSERTED THAT THE TREASURE BELONGS TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN ROME. THE RENAISSANCE-STYLE FEUD BROKE OUT OVER THE WEEKEND WITH REPORTS THAT ROME WAS LAYING CLAIM TO THE SCULPTURE, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ITALY. MICHELANGELO COMPLETED THE 14 FOOT TALL NUDE STATUE IN FLORENCE IN 1504, AND ITS HOME HAS BEEN THE CITY'S GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. FLORENCE MAYOR MATTEO RENZI SAID THE STATUE, ALONG WITH OTHER TREASURES, WAS CEDED TO TEH CITY OF FLORENCE BY A DECREE IN 1870 WHEN ROME BECAME THE CAPITAL OF NEWLY FORMED MODERN ITALY. 'DAVID ID OURS', RENZI TOLD LA REPUBBLICA OVER THE WEEKEND IN AN INTERVIEW BROADCAST ON ITS WEBSITE. 'THAT'S WHAT THE DOCUMENTS SAY.' LAWYERS COMMISSIONED BY THE CULTURE MINISTRY IN ROME, HOWEVER ARGUE THAT FLORENCE CANNOT OWN 'DAVID' BECAUSE, OVER THE CENTURIES, THE SCULPTURE PASSED FROM SOVEREIGN SATE TO SOVEREIGN STATE, STARTING WITH THE MEDICI'S RULE. CULTURE MINISTER SANDRO BONDI CALLED THE DEBATE 'ABSURD AND INOPPORTUNE'. 'MICHELANGELO'S DAVID IS A SYMBOL OF CULTURAL UNITY FOR FLORENCE AND FOR ITALY', BONDI SAID IN A STATEMENT MONDAY. 'THE PROBLEM OF OWNERSHIP OF A PIECE OF ART, POSED IN PROPAGANDISTIC TERMS FY FLORENCE'S MAYOR, IS A PETTY ONE.' HE SAID THE ISSUE COULD BE RESOLVED BY JOINT MANAGEMENT. RENZI SEES THE GOVERNMENT'S MOVE AS A GRAB FOR MONEY, INCLUDING THE REPORTED $10 MILLION IN ANNUAL TICKET SALES TO VIEW THE MASTERPIECE. HE COMPLAINED IN NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS QUICK TO GRAB THE REVENUE, BUT WAS NOT DOING ITS PART TO HELP FLORENCE PAY FOR THE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE SORELY TRIED BY TOURISTS. 'THIS GOVERNMENT IS FEDERALIST WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING, AND CENTRALIST WHEN IT IS TIME TO CASH IN', RENZI SAID. FLORENCE OFFICIALS ARE ALSO UPSET THAT PREMIER BERLUSCONI HAS NOT KEPT AN ELECTORAL PROMISE TO GIVE FLORENCE MORE FREEDOM IN DEALING WITH ITS HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC TREASURES.

16.8.10

BRUICHLDDICH'S 2003 ORGANIC


PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON RECENTLY GAVE HIS UNOFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT OF ORGANIC WHISKEY WHEN HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HIS DRAM OF CHOICE THESE DAYS IS BRUICHLADDICH ORGANIC, AND ORDERED A SUPPLY OF THE UNIQUE BLEND. CAMERON IS A VERY 'GREEN' ORIENTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, RIDING A BIKE AROUND LONDON WHENEVER HE HAS THE CHANCE. HE HAS ALSO APPLIED FOR A PERMIT TO INSTALL A ROOFTOP WIND GENERATOR AT #10 DOWNING STREET. A NOTE TO THE MASTER DISTILLER FROM CAMERON CALLS THE ORGANIC WHISKEY A 'WONDERFUL SINGLE MALT', 'REMARKABLE WHISKEY' AND A 'REAL TREAT'. MARK REYNIER, MD OF BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY SAYS: 'WE KNOW THE MAN HAS GREAT STYLE, NOW WE KNOW HE HAS GREAT TASTE TOO.' RETAIL PRICES FOR BRUICHLDDICH'S 2003 ORGANIC VARIES BETWEEN $55 TO $75 DEPENDING ON SIZE.

MAISON EUROPEENNE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE TO PRESENT KARL LAGERFELD EXHIBITION


A STUNNING NEW EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHANEL CREATIVE DIRECTOR KARL LAGERFELD IS OPENING IN PARIS THIS SEPTEMBER JUST IN TIME FOR THE CITY'S FASHION WEEK. THE SHOW AT THE MAISON EUROPEENNE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE IN THE HISTORIC HEART OF THE CITY WILL FEATURE A MIX OF FASHION PHOTOS, PORTRAITS, LANDSCAPES, ARCHITECTURAL IMAGES AND PERSONAL SHOTS, INCLUDING SEVERAL OF HIS LONGTIME MUSE, CLAUDIA SCHIFFER. LAGERFELD, WHO SHOOTS ALL OF CHANEL'S AD CAMPAIGNS HIMSELF, HAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL BOOKS OF HIS PHOTOGRAPHS, AND HAS HIS OWN ART PUBLISHING IMPRINT AND BOOK SHOP CALLED 7L. 'WHAT I ADMIRE MOST IS THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO HAVE GONE DOWN TO POSTERITY WITH A SINGLE IMAGE', THE DESIGNER TELLS LA PARISIENNE. 'AN IMAGE, I PREFER THIS WORD TO THE WORD PICTURE, WHICH WENT DOWN IN THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD . . . TODAY THE PICTURE IS PART OF MY LIFE. IT CLOSES THE CIRCLE OF MY ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES. I LOOK AT THE FASHION WORLD WITH THE EYE OF THE CAMERA. THIS GIVES MY WORK A BASIC CRITICAL DETACHMENT THAT HELPS MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE SUSPECTED.' THE EXHIBITION RUNS FROM 10.SEPTEMBER TO 15.OCTOBER.

JACKIE KENNEDY ONASSIS PEARL NECKLACE SELLS FOR £30,000


A TRIPLE STRAND SIMULATED PEARL NECKLACE ONCE OWNED BY AMERICA'S FIRST LADY JACKIE KENNEDY ONASSIS HAS SOLD FOR £30,000, AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BONHAMS NEW AND INNOVATIVE PIONEERS OF POPULAR CULTURE SALE AT THE INAUGURAL VINTAGE AS GOODWOOD FESTIVAL. THE AUCTION REALIZED A REMARKABLE £346,710 IN TOTAL, WITH 97% SOLD BY VALUE. THE SALE, WHICH CELEBRATES ALL THAT IS COOL AND ICONIC FROM THE PERIOD 1940-1990, ALSO FEATURED TWO OTHER PIECES OF JEWELRY OWNED BY JAKIE KENNEDY ONASSIS, WHICH SHE WORE IN THE 1960s: A PAIR OF SIMULATED PEARL AND DIAMOND EARL CLIPS, WHICH FETCHED £15,600 AND A SIMULATED PEARL NECKLACE, WHICH MADE £6,000. THE SALE WAS THE CULMINATION OF THE FIRST VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL, A THREE DAY EVENT CELEBRATING ALL THAT IS BEST ABOUT BRITISH CULTURE IN MUSIC, FASHION, ART, DESIGN AND FILM. IT IS THE BRAINCHILD OF FASHION DESIGNERS WAYNE AND GERARDINE HEMMINGWAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH LORD MARCH. JON BRADDELEY OF BONHAMS SAID ABOUT THE EVENT: 'FOR THE INAUGURAL AUCTION AT GOODWOOD, THE PIONEERS OF POPULAR CULTURE SALE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, WITH WELL OVER 50% OF THE BUYERS BEING NEW TO BONHAMS. WE'VE CERTAINLY LEARNT WHAT PROVES POPULAR TO THIS NEW GOODWOOD CROWD AND WILL CATER NEXT YEAR'S AUCTION TO MEET THIS DEMAND. WE'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK HERE IN 2011!'

15.8.10

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL ICONIC JAR EAR PENDENTS


CHRISTIE'S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT OF ITS 20.OCTOBER JEWELS SALE IN NEW YORK: AN ICONIC PAIR OF EAR PENDENTS BY JOEL ROSENTHAL, THE CELEBRATED CONTEMPORARY DESIGNER WHO GOES BY THE SIMPLE MONIKER OF JAR. THE EARRINGS, ESTIMATED AT $300,000-500,000, WERE CUT AND DESIGNED FOR THE AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS ELLEN BARKIN AND FEATURED IN HER LANDMARK COLLECTION SALE AT CHRISTIE'S IN OCTOBER 2006 AS PART OF GROUP OF 17 JAR CREATIONS, THE LARGEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT GROUP EVER TO BE AUCTIONED. THE SALE, WHICH ACHIEVED OVER $20 MILLION TOTAL, REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT EVENTS IN JEWELRY AUCTION HISTORY. A SPOKESPERSON FOR CHRISTIE'S SAID: 'WE ARE PROUD TO RE-OFFER THESE ICONIC EAR PENDENTS THAT CAPTURED SO MUCH ATTENTION FROM COLLECTORS AND MEDIA AROUND THE WORLD WHEN THEY WERE FIRST SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S JUST FOUR YEARS AGO. WHENEVER JAR CREATIONS COME UP FOR AUCTION THEY ARE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER BY COLLECTORS, WHO VALUE THEIR EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, EXCLUSIVITY AND METICULOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR JOEL ROSENTHAL TO SPEND MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT GEM TO FIT ONE OF HIS UNIQUE CREATIONS, AND THESE RARE TOPAZ STONES WITH THEIR UNUSUAL TOUCH OF RED ARE THE PERFECT FIT FOR THIS STUNNING DESIGN.' MEASURING 2¾ INCHES LONG AND ONE INCH AT THEIR WIDEST POINT, EACH EAR PENDENT IS SET WITH ELONGATED OVAL-CUT IMPERIAL TOPAZ AND ACCENTED WITH A CIRCULAR-CUT DIAMOND SURROUND ENHANCED BY CIRCULAR-CUT RUBY CLUSTERS. THE DIAMOND SET LINK AND HOOP ARE MOUNTED IN SILVER AND 18 CARAT ROSE GOLD. BARKIN FAMOUSLY WORE THE EAR PENDENTS ON THE NIGHT OF THE OSCARS IN 2005, COORDINATING THEM WITH A STUNNING ORANGE HUED GOWN.

JUDGE RULES OF TITANIC ARTIFACTS


THE COMPANY WITH EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SALVAGE THE TITANIC IS ENTITLED TO FULL COMPENSATION FOR THE ARTIFACTS WORTH ABOUT $110 MILLION THAT IT HAS RECOVERED IN A HALF-DOZEN PERILOUS EXPEDITIONS TO THE FAMOUS SHIPWRECK, A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS RULED. HOWEVER, US DISTRICT JUDGE REBECCA BEACH SMITH'S RULING LATE THURSDAY DID NOT DETERMINE HOW RMS TITANIC INC WILL BE PAID. SHE SAID SHE COULD TAKE UP TO A YEARS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO GIVE RMS TITANIC TITLE TO TEH APPROXIMATELY 5,900 ARTIFACTS OR SELL THEM AND TURN THE PROCEEDS OVER TO THE COMPANY. MEANWHILE, RMS TITANIC WILL RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE ITEMS, WHICH ITS ATLANTA-BASED PARENT COMPANY PREMIER EXHIBITIONS INC HAS BEEN DISPLAYING IN EXHIBITIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THE ARTIFACTS INCLUDE PIECES OF CHINA, SHIP FITTINGS AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS. THE TITANIC SANK ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE ON 12.APRIL.1912, KILLING MORE THAN 1,500 OF THE 2,228 PASSENGERS AND CREW. AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM LED BY OCEANOGRAPHER ROBERT BALLARD LOCATED THE WRECKAGE IN 1985. COURTS LATER DECLARED RMS TITANIC SAVOR-IN-POSSESSION, MEANING IT HAD EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SALVAGE THE WRECKAGE, BUT EXPLICITLY STATED IT DOES NOT OWN THE ARTIFACTS OR THE WRECK ITSELF. IN HER RULING, SMITH PRAISE RMS TITANIC FOR TAKING SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RISKS AND FOR GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS TO PRESERVE THE FRAGILE ARTIFACTS. SHE SAID THE COMPANY HAS DEVOTED MORE THAN 500,000 HOURS OF LABOR TO SALVAGING, CONSERVING AND EXHIBITING THE ARTIFACTS. THE RULING CAME A LITTLE OVER A WEEK BEFORE A NEW EXPEDITION TO THE TITANIC BY RMS. DEPARTING 22.AUGUST AND SCHEDULED TO LAST ABOUT A MONTH, THE EXPEDITION WILL FOCUS ON A SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF HOW RAPIDLY THE TITANIC IS DETERIORATING, AND WILL BE THE FIRST THAT WILL NOT TAKE ANY ARTIFACTS.

TURKISH AUTHORITIES FIND UNDERGROUND TOMB AFTER ARRESTS


POLICE HAVE RAIDED A HOUSE USED BY PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF DIGGING ILLEGALLY FOR ANTIQUITIES AND DISCOVERED TWO TUNNELS LEADING TO AN UNDERGROUND TOMB THAT HOUSED AN ANCIENT MARBLE COFFIN AND FRESCOES, OFFICIALS SAID FRIDAY. CULTURE MINISTER ERTUGRUL GUNAY DESCRIBED THE DISCOVERY NEAR THE TOWN OF MILAS, IN WESTERN TURKEY, AS AN 'IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND' AND ORDERED DIGS IN SURROUNDING AREAS, HABER TURK NEWSPAPER REPORTED. LOOTING OF ANCIENT ARTIFACTS IS COMMON IN TURKEY, AND THE COUNTRY HAS IMPOSED HEAVY PENALTIES TO DETER ILLEGAL DIGS. BUT THE MILAS DISCOVERY IS THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THAT AUTHORITIES HAVE FOUND WHAT COULD BE AN IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE WHILE CHASING LOOTERS. THE 2,800 YEARS OLD CARVED COFFIN, DECORATED WITH RELIEFS OF A BEARDED RECLINING MAN, PROBABLY BELONGED TO HECOTOMNUS, WHO RULED OVER MILAS, ACCORDING TO TURKEY'S CULTURE MINISTRY. SEVERAL TREASURES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE UNDERGROUND TOMB WERE MOST LIKELY LOOTED BY THE TREASURE HUNTERS AND SOLD IN THE ILLEGAL ANTIQUITIES TRADE, THE MINISTRY ADDED. A COURT HAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED FIVE OF TEN PEOPLE DETAINED IN THE RAID, THE STATE-RUN ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY REPORTED. ANATOLIA, WHICH WAS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TOMB, SAID TEH SUSPECTS HAD DUG TWO TUNNELS, 6 AND 8 METERS LONG, FROM A HOUSE AND ADJACENT BARN, LEADING TO THE TOMB THAT IS BURIED SOME 100 METERS DEEP. THEY USED SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT TO DRILL THROUGH THE THICK MARBLE WALLS OF THE TOMB AND WERE WORKING TO REMOVE THE COFFIN FROM THE UNDERGROUND CHAMBER WHEN THEY WERE DETAINED. 'THIS IS NOT AN ORDINARY TREASURE HUNT. IT IS VERY ORGANIZED AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY RECEIVED ECONOMIC AND SCIENTIFIC HELP', GUNAY SAID, ADDING THAT TURKEY ALSO WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SUSPECTS POSSIBLE OVERSEAS LINKS.