Latest news with #Bonhams
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
In the salerooms: Paintings by William Crozier, Rory Gallagher's guitar and a sale of garden sculptures
The Irish Art Online Auction at Morgan O'Driscoll closes on June 23. The sale includes two paintings by William Crozier (1930-2011): Desire of the Moon, 1990, (Lot 18: est. €15,000 to €25,000); and Headland, West Cork V, 1989 (Lot 36: est. €1,800 to €2,400). The sale also includes prints by Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst. See Bonhams Dave Edwards Stratocaster-style guitar, owned and used by Rory Gallagher from around 1980, sold for £38,400/€45,000 at Bonhams, London, on June 4. Gallagher used the guitar as backup when his main Stratocaster needed a break. The guitar was gifted to Sam O'Sullivan, a long-time U2 crew member by the band in 2019. See Séamus Gill Silversmith Séamus Gill has worked in the National Museum of Ireland and made the silver cruet set presented to Pope Francis in 2018. In April, thieves broke in and ransacked Gill's Dublin studio, stealing his entire collection. One small sheet of silver was left behind. He used it to make a simple pendant – Lasóg, meaning little flame in Irish – versions of which are for sale at (€175). All proceeds go directly to Gill, to help him rebuild his workshop. Sheppard's Sheppard's annual sale of architectural ornament and garden sculpture takes place on June 24, with viewing at Glantelwe Gardens (R32 F7XW) from June 21 to 23. Expect urns, gazebos, and follies; bronze and marble statues, both classic and contemporary; cast and wrought iron furniture; rare architectural salvage and ornamental ironwork. See
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Colin McRae's Metro 6R4 Group B rally car is up for sale, and we must have it
Colin McRae's Metro 6R4 Group B rally car is up for sale, and we must have it Because who doesn't want a bewinged 400bhp racing hatch in their life? Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 12 Four decades ago, MG's engineers had a fun day off and created this: a fire-spitting, fog lamp-heavy Group B rascal dubbed the '6R4'. And now, courtesy of Bonhams, your opportunity to own Colin McRae's own 6R4 has just appeared. The steroidal Scrappy Doo of course benefited from a bespoke space-frame chassis and shared but a few panels with the original car, somewhat mercifully. It was designed in collaboration with Williams, who helped to completely revise the internals: four-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive, six cylinders in place of four and a rear-engine layout as opposed to front. Advertisement - Page continues below At peak configuration, the nat-asp 3.0-litre 90-degree V6 puts out over 400bhp. That engine also gets twin-cam heads modelled on Cosworth's DFV Formula One V8. And as if that wasn't enough, the 6R4 has a five-speed dog-box manual, adjustable LSDs and viscous coupling technology, pinched straight out of Williams' workshop. That wild body was also wind tunnel tested, so those sharp extensions ahead of its nose, the oxygen-gulping vents out wide, and the slick rear wing are all tried and tested for an assault on the World Rally Championship. An assault which didn't last very long, mind, since the Group B class it was built for was canned after just four years amid safety concerns. The 6R4 only competed in the final two years, with a best result of third at the 1985 Welsh Rally. Still, a detuned version of the 6R4 continued to race at national level, winning various titles on the way. It then transitioned over to European rallycross and proved a force there as well, taking the championship in 1992. Advertisement - Page continues below McRae purchased this chassis at some point thereafter and used it as a Course Car throughout the Colin McRae event stages in '98. Unfortunately, it caught on fire while he was toiling away in the garage one day, and moved it on. Its current owner of 16 years has since completed a full restoration job and made a few mechanical changes along the way. These include an ECU upgrade, a new power distribution module and fresh differentials. Not a bad way to spend £250,000, we reckon. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
'Hidden treasure': Rare Gandhi portrait up for UK sale
A rare oil painting of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, which is believed to have been damaged by a Hindu nationalist activist, is to be auctioned in London in July. Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. But a 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton is believed to be the only oil portrait he sat for, according to the painter's family and Bonhams, where it will be auctioned online from July 7 to 15. "Not only is this a rare work by Clare Leighton, who is mainly known for her wood engravings, it is also thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams Head of Sale for Travel and Exploration. The painting is a "likely hidden treasure", Caspar Leighton, the artist's great-nephew, told AFP. Going under the hammer for the first time next month, the painting is estimated to sell for between £50,000 and £70,000 ($68,000 and $95,000). Clare Leighton met Gandhi in 1931, when he was in London for talks with the British government on India's political future. She was part of London's left-wing artistic circles and was introduced to Gandhi by her partner, journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. "I think there was clearly a bit of artistic intellectual courtship that went on," said Caspar, pointing out that his great-aunt and Gandhi shared a "sense of social justice". Painting attacked The portrait, painted at a crucial time for India's independence struggle, "shows Gandhi at the height of his power", added Caspar. It was exhibited in London in November 1931, following which Gandhi's personal secretary, Mahadev Desai, wrote to Clare: "It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait." "Many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness," reads a copy of the letter attached to the painting's backing board. The painting intimately captures Gandhi's likeness but it also bears reminders of his violent death. Gandhi was shot at point-blank range in 1948 by disgruntled Hindu nationalist activist Nathuram Godse, once closely associated with the right-wing paramilitary organisation RSS. Godse and some other Hindu nationalist figures accused Gandhi of betraying Hindus by agreeing to the partition of India and the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan. According to Leighton's family, the painting was attacked with a knife by a "Hindu extremist" believed to be an RSS activist, in the early 1970s. Although there is no documentation of the attack, a label on the back of the painting confirms that it was restored in the United States in 1974. Under UV light, Demery pointed out the shadow of a deep gash running across Gandhi's face where the now-restored painting was damaged. "It feels very deliberate," she said. 'Real home' The repairs "add to the value of the picture in a sense... to its place in history, that Gandhi was again attacked figuratively many decades after his death", said Caspar. The only other recorded public display of the painting was in 1978 at a Boston Public Library exhibition of Clare Leighton's work. After Clare's death, the artwork passed down to Caspar's father and then to him. "There's my family's story but the story in this portrait is so much greater," he said. "It's a story for millions of people across the world," he added. "I think it'd be great if it got seen by more people. Maybe it should go back to India -- maybe that's its real home." Unlike countless depictions of the man known in India as the "father of the nation" -- in stamps, busts, paraphernalia and recreated artwork -- "this is actually from the time", said Caspar. "This might be really the last truly significant picture of Gandhi to emerge from that time."--AFP
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Only known oil painting Gandhi sat for heads for UK auction
A rare oil painting of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, which is believed to have been damaged by a Hindu nationalist activist, is to be auctioned in London in July. Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in India's history, led a non-violent movement against British rule and inspired similar resistance campaigns across the world. He is the subject of tens of thousands of artworks, books and films. But a 1931 painting by British-American artist Clare Leighton is believed to be the only oil portrait he sat for, according to the painter's family and Bonhams, where it will be auctioned online from July 7 to 15. "Not only is this a rare work by Clare Leighton, who is mainly known for her wood engravings, it is also thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams Head of Sale for Travel and Exploration. The painting is a "likely hidden treasure", Caspar Leighton, the artist's great-nephew, told AFP. Going under the hammer for the first time next month, the painting is estimated to sell for between £50,000 and £70,000 ($68,000 and $95,000). Leighton met Gandhi in 1931, when he was in London for talks with the British government on India's political future. She was part of London's left-wing artistic circles and was introduced to Gandhi by her partner, journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. "I think there was clearly a bit of artistic intellectual courtship that went on," said Caspar, pointing out that his great-aunt and Gandhi shared a "sense of social justice". Painting attacked The portrait, painted at a crucial time for India's independence struggle, "shows Gandhi at the height of his power", added Caspar. It was exhibited in London in November 1931, following which Gandhi's personal secretary, Mahadev Desai, wrote to Leighton: "It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait." "Many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness," reads a copy of the letter attached to the painting's backing board. The painting intimately captures Gandhi's likeness but it also bears reminders of his violent death. Gandhi was shot at point-blank range in 1948 by disgruntled Hindu nationalist activist Nathuram Godse, once closely associated with the right-wing paramilitary organisation RSS. Godse and some other Hindu nationalist figures accused Gandhi of betraying Hindus by agreeing to the partition of India and the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan. According to Leighton's family, the painting was attacked with a knife by a "Hindu extremist" believed to be an RSS activist, in the early 1970s. Although there is no documentation of the attack, a label on the back of the painting confirms that it was restored in the United States in 1974. Under UV light, Demery pointed out the shadow of a deep gash running across Gandhi's face where the now-restored painting was damaged. "It feels very deliberate," she said. 'Real home' The repairs "add to the value of the picture in a sense... to its place in history, that Gandhi was again attacked figuratively many decades after his death", said Caspar. The only other recorded public display of the painting was in 1978 at a Boston Public Library exhibition of Leighton's work. After Leighton's death, the artwork passed down to Caspar's father and then to him. "There's my family's story but the story in this portrait is so much greater," he said. "It's a story for millions of people across the world," he added. Unlike countless depictions of the man known in India as the "father of the nation" – in stamps, busts, paraphernalia and recreated artwork – "this is actually from the time", said Caspar. "This might be really the last truly significant picture of Gandhi to emerge from that time."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
John McEnroe shouted message down the phone after Wimbledon champ sold trophies
Five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg put his trophies up for auction in 2006; however, fellow SW19 champ John McEnroe didn't take kindly to the shock decision Bjorn Borg was berated over the phone by John McEnroe after putting his five Wimbledon trophies up for auction in 2006. The Swedish icon was victorious five times in SW19, but chose to part with the trophies for 'financial security' before he was persuaded otherwise. Teenage sensation Borg set the tennis world alight during his pomp, and his rivalry with American duo McEnroe and Jimmy Connors defined a generation. Throughout a glittering career, he won 11 Grand Slam titles, was named French Open champion four times in a row from 1978 until 1981 and prevailed at Wimbledon five consecutive times from 1976 until 1980. In 2006, Borg made the decision to sell the five small replica trophies he won on Centre Court via auctioneers Bonhams. During the 11 years since he retired at the youthful age of 26 in 1983, Borg had run into financial difficulties, with his company going bankrupt and the Swede being forced to sell his home. The lots were expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000. However, selling his Wimbledon trophies and some signed rackets to go with them rubbed long-time rival McEnroe up the wrong way, and he sternly talked some sense into Borg down the phone. "It's not easy to part with the trophies," Borg released in a statement at the time. "However, I do need to have some long-term financial security for those close to me. "I now believe that the time is right for the trophies and rackets to pass either to a tennis collector or to a suitable institution." McEnroe's call came soon after, as Borg touched on the six-word interaction, as quoted in Sue Barker's Wimbledon: A personal history: "He [McErone] said: 'What the hell are you doing?' "It was a stupid thing for me to do anyway, but the thing was, everything is up here anyway [he pointed to his head]. What I have achieved in tennis, what I won, I have all the memories up here, and that's what counts, here in my heart and here in my head," Borg said. "Trophies are important too, but not as much as the memories of what you've been through in life. But it was a stupid decision. "John was the first to tell me! So I bought them back, and it cost me more money to buy them back. Now the trophies are in a safe place." The pair exchanged fierce blows on the tennis court throughout their years as bitter rivals, but, as McEnroe's act showed, they remained incredibly close friends. "I think he is the only one of my rivals that I actually got along with. Everyone else, I was fighting all the time," the American stated when appearing on the Scandinavian TV show Skavlan in 2016. "I think, believe it or not, our personalities are pretty similar. We have the same sense of humour. I think we think about things in a similar way, whether it's something serious or something that's not so serious. "In the 12 and Unders, he behaved worse than I did. I don't think many people would believe that, but apparently, his father suspended him or wouldn't let him play tennis for 6 months!"
