2 023 marks the 50th anniversary of Sotheby’s in Asia, where we were the first international auction house to establish a permanent presence in the region with the opening of our Hong Kong office. Today, Sotheby’s is much more than an auction house. Sotheby’s is the destination for cultural expertise and appreciation. It is a hub for the most discerning collectors and lovers of fine arts and luxury in Asia as well as a gateway for the rest of the world to discover the cultural heritage and creativity of Asia. To commemorate this momentous occasion, our anniversary year is overflowing with extraordinary events, exhibitions, and landmark auctions set to take place throughout the region. It is a celebration of a legacy that we have created hand in hand with our community of collectors here in Asia, and alongside the region’s great museums and institutions.
2023年，蘇富比迎來亞洲五十周年誌慶。當年蘇富比選址在香港設立辦事處，成為首家落戶亞洲的國際拍賣行。時移世易，如今蘇富比已突破拍賣行的傳統定義，發展成為藝術界專業權威，更是媲美博物館的文化體驗場所。藝術品及奢侈品頂尖收藏家和愛好者在此匯聚一堂，向世界展示亞洲地區新舊交融的獨特面貌。為紀念這段跨越半世紀的精彩歷程，蘇富比將舉行五十周年品牌活動，在亞洲各地舉辦橫跨不同門類的拍賣、展覽及活動，回顧一路以來蘇富比與區內收藏家群體、以至世界一流博物館和藝術機構攜手締造的歷史。
This Spring, we have brought together a curation of seven lots of the most desirable works from the Luxury division, including Handbags, Whisky, Watches and Jewellery for a milestone Evening Sale in Hong Kong. Join us as we celebrate some of the finest works from each category, titled The Exceptionals. As we commemorate the legacy of five decades throughout the year, we also embark on the journey in the next era of Sotheby’s Asia, and the next 50 years to come.
其中香港春季拍賣期間將舉行一場涵蓋手袋、烈酒、鐘錶和珠寶的「非凡尊尚」奢侈品晚拍，呈獻七件經專家細挑慎選的珍貴精品，各自彰顯所屬範疇的卓越工藝。讓我們一起陸續重溫過去五十載的里程碑成就，撫今追昔，同時著眼未來，積極開拓下一個五十年。
The handbags in the curation showcases the most iconic and sought-after handbags of all time. Maison Lemarié, Hermès handpicked the finest feathers for lot 82, and attached them onto the Kelly one at a time. It creates a beautiful feathers panel, marking an important milestone in Fashion History.
今場拍賣精選了多款頂級精品，其中包括手袋收藏界的經典：黑色羽毛凱莉包（拍品編號82）是愛馬仕聯乘高級時裝羽毛作坊Maison Lemarié設計的心血之作，袋上的優質羽毛以人手逐根縫合，這個創新獨特的羽毛飾面設計，堪稱時尚史上另一個里程碑。
Yamazaki, well known as Japan's first commercial whisky distillery, has only ever released three editions of their iconic 50-Year-Old. The first edition, released in 2005, comprised only 50 bottles, and it is believed that no more than a dozen of these remain in the worldwide market. One extraordinary example of which is offered as Lot 83 in this landmark sale. Even with subsequent releases of Yamazaki 50-Year-Old – in 2007 and again in 2011 – the 2005 First Edition remains the crown jewel of rare Japanese whisky.
山崎是日本首家出產麥芽威士忌的酒商，著名的山崎50年至今只發行過三次。2005年登場的初版山崎50年發行量只有五十瓶，經歷近二十年後，據說目前市面上為數不過十多瓶，因此別具收藏價值。如今再有山崎50年的初版威士忌（拍品編號83）登上拍埸，即使2007年和2011年山崎推出這款有半世紀歷史的珍釀另外兩版，初版山崎50年仍屬難得一見的珍釀。
To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the partnership between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co., the Tiffany Blue® dial Nautilus reference 5711 was released in 2021, limited to 170 pieces only. To date, Tiffany & Co. is the only North American brand to have their name “double stamped” on the dial of a Patek Philippe timepiece, which is highly desirable to collectors who are increasingly drawn for their distinctiveness and rarity. A true icon in the world of luxury watches, lot 84 combines distinctive design, unparalleled craftsmanship, and rich history that makes it one of the most coveted timepieces in the world.
為紀念百達翡麗與 Tiffany & Co. 合作170週年，Tiffany & Co. 在2021年限量發行170枚 Tiffany Blue®️ Nautilus 型號 5711 精鋼鏈帶腕錶。迄今為止，Tiffany & Co. 是唯一一家能在百達翡麗腕錶錶盤上印製雙蓋章的北美品牌。這些雙蓋章時計獨特稀有，現在愈來愈受藏家追捧。作為高級腕錶界的真正代表，這枚特別腕錶（拍品編號84）結合了無與倫比的設計、精湛工藝和豐富的歷史，不愧是鐘錶收藏家們最嚮往的腕錶之一。
50 Years New in Asia: Patek Philippe Tiffany Blue® Nautilus
“Cartier, a subtle magician who holds pieces of the moon together with threads of the sun.”
The Tutti Frutti collection of lot 85 and 86 are an unmistakable Cartier emblem, and inextricably linked to its history from the early 20th century. Created after a hundred years from some of the very first Tutti Frutti jewels, they are a homage to one of the most iconic collections from Cartier’s history. Quintessentially a Cartier creation, the bold hues and textures of the gemstones are enhanced by the innovative craftsmanship and extraordinary 21st century design.
「卡地亞是一位將月亮碎片以太陽光線縫起來的魔術師。」
出自水果錦囊系列的寶石配鑽石腕錶和珠寶套裝（拍品編號85及86）精緻豔麗，絕對是卡地亞的經典設計，與品牌在二十世紀初開創這個系列的歷史緊緊相連。它們在早期的水果錦囊珠寶面世後一百年誕生，是向這個經典系列致敬的精心之作。兩件拍品都盡展卡地亞的經典風格，巧匠利用創新工藝和二十一世紀的嶄新設計，讓本已大膽的色彩配搭和寶石紋理加倍奪目動人。
50 Years New in Asia: Cartier’s Tutti Frutti, A Vibrant Tale of East Meets West
The Algeiba Star of lot 87 is the biggest Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond to come in auction in recent years at 133 carats, which was first known as the Mahjal diamond after the Maharaja of Kapurthala. The depth of colour from the Algeiba Star is a result of the original rough’s condensed hue, combined with the exceptional skill to ensure its excellence. Throughout history, there have only been a handful of yellow diamonds over hundred carats, such as the 128.54ct Tiffany yellow diamond (originally 287.42 carats) and the 101.29ct Allnatt diamond.
重133克拉的「軒轅之星」（拍品編號87）是近年拍賣市場上最大顆的豔彩黃色鑽石，這顆黃鑽最初按坎布薩拉大君賈加提特・辛格（Jagatjit Singh）的尊號獲命名為「Mahjal」鑽石。雖然「軒轅之星」的原石已具有濃重的天然色澤，但也需要技藝超群的鑽石工匠悉心切割打磨，鑽石才可以綻發璀璨豔光。歷史上重逾100克拉的黃鑽屈指可數，已知的巨型黃鑽有128.54克拉的蒂芙尼（Tiffany）黃鑽（原重287.42克拉）和101.29克拉的「歐那特」（Allnatt）黃鑽。
The Imperial Green jadeite bead necklace of lot 88 is named the Emperor’s Treasure, based on the of the Tianlu Linlang Collection. This was officially named by Emperor Qianlong as ‘Gems of Heavenly Favour’ in 1744, which is the year that Sotheby’s was founded. The beads on this exceptional necklace are well matched, with fine Imperial Green colour and superb texture. With fourty-three beads ranging from 11 – 13mm in size, The Emperor’s Treasure is perfect in its roundness.
「天祿琳琅」帝王綠翡翠珠項鏈（拍品編號88）絕色天成，其命名取自清朝皇室內廷藏書的別稱。乾隆九年（1744年），乾隆帝將內廷藏書賜名「天祿琳琅」，無獨有偶，同一年蘇富比在英國成立。這條項鏈的每顆玉珠均具備濃艷的帝王綠色澤和上乘質料，全鏈共有43顆從 11 到 13 毫米不等的玉珠，每顆均渾圓無暇。
Special thank you to Blanc de Chine for the generous support for our themed photoshoot. All photo credits: Egill Bjarki.
