Author Archives: Timmy Tan

A Golden Tea Ceremony Marks Est-Ouest’s First Singapore Outing

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Dong Xiao Hang, CEO of Est-Ouest Auctions Hong Kong, in front of “Mr.” depicting a manga girl and measuring 173cm by 250cm. Estimated at between US$120,000 and US$190,000. Photo: © Tang Portfolio

Dong Xiao Hang, CEO of Est-Ouest Auctions Hong Kong, in front of “Mr.” depicting a manga girl and measuring 173cm by 250cm. Estimated at between US$120,000 and US$190,000. Photo: © Tang Portfolio

You might be more familiar with Western artists like Picasso, Dali, Renoir or Andy Warhol, but what about Asian ones such as Nara Yoshitomo, Kusama Yayoi or Murakami Takashi?

Well, these Japanese artists may well become even more popular thanks to Est-Ouest, Japan’s oldest auction house, which will be offering some of their works of art for sale at its first Singapore auction at Artspace@Helutrans on 25 and 26 January 2013 (Friday and Saturday). Previews are from 23 to 25 January 2013.

In total, 334 lots are on offer and these are valued at more than $11 million. There will be a mix of works of art, including Pablo Picasso’s “Bearded Man”, Warhol’s “Hearts Pink” and “Marilyn Monroe”, and Salvador Dali’s bronze Persistance de la Memoire.

Highlights from Japanese artists include Nara’s “Young Leaf”, Murakami’s “Mushroom” and Kusama’s “Greape”.

Only a few timepieces are on offer and among these will be an A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia, an Audemars Piguet diamond and gold Royal Oak and a 1922 Hermle bronze clock with a marble base.

Est-Ouest held its first auction in Japan in 1984. In 2008, it ventured into Hong Kong. “The 1984 auction was the first in Japan’s history and we were the first Japanese auction house to enter Hong Kong,” says Takashi Seki, founder and president of Est-Ouest.

Takashi Seki, founder and president of Est-Ouest Auctions. Photo: © Tang Portfolio

Though Est-Ouest will be organizing a major auction in Japan comprising more than 1,000 lots, Seki wanted to make a start in Singapore, hence the auction in January 2013. More than 80% of the consignors are Japanese, according to Seki.

Interestingly, there will also be a “Golden Tea Ceremony Room” which required 15,000 sheets of 23K gold leaves and 26.1kg of 24K gold painstakingly put together by skilled craftsmen.

The “Golden Tea Ceremony Room”, estimated between US$2.5 and US$3.5 million. Photo courtesy of Est-Ouest

The “Golden Tea Ceremony Room”, estimated between US$2.5 and US$3.5 million. Photo courtesy of Est-Ouest

It is understood that Seki himself will perform a tea ceremony in this room at a VIP reception before the public previews.

This lot is a key highlight of the auction and is definitely worth viewing, not just for art collectors but tea connoisseurs. Its estimated value is between US$2.5 and US$3.5 million.

Cartier highly popular as a jewellery and watch brand in China

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Cartier is a very much favoured brand in China bought as a gift for friends and business contacts, according to the Hurun Report. Shown above: Ballon Bleu de Cartier Tourbillon with double jumping second time zone watch

Cartier is a very much favoured brand in China bought as a gift for friends and business contacts, according to the Hurun Report. Shown above: Ballon Bleu de Cartier Tourbillon with double jumping second time zone watch

Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hermès and Chanel are among the top five brands favoured by wealthy Chinese to buy as gifts for friends and business contacts, based on Hurun Research Institute’s “Top Ten Gifts for the Chinese Luxury Consumer 2012”.

Interestingly, local alcoholic beverage brand Moutai is also among the top five.

In the Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey 2013 by Hurun Report, Cartier is the fifth most popular brand chosen as a gift for men while it is ranked third as the best brand as a gift for ladies.

Cartier is the only brand among the four top European brands classified in the “jewellery and watches” segment by the Hurun Research Institute. Louis Vuitton and Hermès are in the “fashion” sector while Chanel is under the “apparel, accessories and perfumes” segment.

While jewellery remains an important category for the brand, Cartier is also fast becoming an even more popular watch brand, notably in the high horology segment. What Cartier has showcased in recent years for its high horology collections remains impressive and its 2013 line-up will not disappoint either.

For example, among the 2013 collection is the Ballon Bleu de Cartier tourbillon with double jumping second time zone watch.

According to the Hurun Report, watches are the most collectible items in China where one in three respondents in its survey categorise themselves as watch collectors.(A total of 551 individuals were surveyed and each has a personal wealth of at least 10 million renminbi or around US$1.6 million or 1.2 million euros)

This obviously speaks volumes for the potential of luxury watch brands in China.

Other articles on Cartier which may be of interest:

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