fine art

Some folks like to do things in a big way.  They enjoy the spotlight, and blossom with a little extra attention.  We’re sort of that way, too, so we understand.  Even when it comes to selling an antique or collectible, we think it’s always more fun to make a splash.  Why do anything the conventional way when you can make it fun? Do you remember that Super Hero Auction we had last year?  We had national news coverage for that event, plus plenty of local headlines and spots on our local news networks.  Our own John discovered he looked good in ...

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Few figures in Modern history evoke images of leadership, integrity and political prowess as does Winston Churchill.  His iconic speeches and steadfast direction during World War II galvanized the Allied forces in Britain and abroad. Few people realized that, though he was most revered for his rolls as statesman, orator, historian, politician and writer, Churchill was also an accomplished artist. M.S. Rau is honored to have two of his historically significant works currently in our Fine Art collection: The Tower of Katoubia Mosque, created and given by Churchill to President Franklin Delano ...

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As redundant as it sounds, interest in Renaissance art really is in the midst of a tremendous rebirth. Evolving discoveries coupled with the strong sales performance within the past few years has led to a resurgence in and renewed appreciation for collecting these centuries-old masterworks. To give you an idea of what I mean, Sotheby's has held six sales that comprised mainly of works by the "Old Masters" which brought in over $117 million in sales...and that's only since January! Within the past few weeks, several important Renaissance works have made headlines in the art world, including ...

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A Chinese Vase expected to sell for $800. to $1,200., was sold by Sotheby's New York for an astonishing $18 million on March 22, 2011. Described as an unusual famille rose and gold decorated vase, an Anonymous Sotheby's bidder paid $18 million for this 20 century porcelain. The Chinese Vase was among 300 lots consigned by J.T. Tai and Company, a well-known  Dealer of Chinese Porcelain; the Sotheby's Sale realized $36.3 million and took nine hours to complete. Why did Sotheby's estimate the $18 million Chinese Vase at only $800-$1,200? Sotheby's felt there was no actual support to indicate ...

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Buying Art is not like buying Detergent; the key is to "buy intelligently". Art buyers often make the wrong decision when comparing two examples of the same Work of Art with the objective of "saving money".  Many Buyers fall prey to buying the Work of Art with the lowest price, and often not the best. Daniel Grant wrote a WSJ Article titled Why You Can't Always Trust Art Dealers which casts a negative light on Art Dealers.  We don't condone the ethical behavior cited by Mr. Grant and agree due diligence is essential to protect financial harm. However, condemning Art Dealers is similar to ...

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What happens when the works of 18th-century portraitist Thomas Gainsborough and late 20th-century Pop artist Tom Wesselman come face to face? The answer is an art show of mammoth significance. Such was the case at the Los Angeles Art Show, held this past week at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For the third year in a row, M.S. Rau wowed the crowds with an impressive array of artistic masters. From 16th-century master Pieter Breughel the Younger's Battle Between Carnival and Lent to 20th-century legend Norman Rockwell's Billiards is Easy to Learn, the M.S. Rau booth held a constant ...

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“Politicians anxiously trying to find out just how serious the current economic difficulties are might like to take a look at the art market…The numbers can leave no one in doubt about the buyer’s readiness to part with cash.” - Souren Melikian, “What’s in a Name? At Art Auctions, Lots of Money,” The New York Times, Nov. 5th, 2010 At the outset of Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art Sale on November 4th, 2010, the expected sale price of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s The Finding of Moses was set between $3 and $5 million dollars. When the gavel fell nearly eight minutes ...

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