THE EXCEPTIONAL SALE
NEW YORK – Christie’s is pleased to announce The Exceptional Sale, the leading global auction for the best of the best in decorative and applied arts, singular works of historic importance, and iconic objects of pop culture. The sale will take place 27 January and features, ‘The Arizona Spike,’ of steel clad in gold and silver, which was made in 1869 to commemorate the completion of the world’s first Transcontinental Railroad in 1869; a pair of superb flintlock pistols by Lorenzoni, known as the gunmaker to the Medici; a leather coffer owned by Marie Antoinette, Queen of France; a Roman cameo dating to 41-54 BC, formerly in the collection of the 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817); a Consulat OrmoluMounted Mahogany and Granit Obiculaire Gueridon; Led Zeppelin original cover art for the soundtrack album to the film The Song Remains the Same (1976); original 16mm reels from Andy Warhol’s 1968 film Lonesome Cowboys, a screening of which sparked the Atlanta raid known as the “Stonewall of the South”; a German royal silver-gilt tea and coffee service; AND a rare Swiss, Vari-Color Gold, Enamel, and Pearl-Set Musical Automaton And Timepiece Longue-Vue.
Other lots include porcelain rarities such as a set of ten plates from the famed Stowe service and a Shakespearian dessert service. Furniture aficionados will appreciate a pair of banquettes delivered to Versailles, as well as a large George III mahogany breakfront bookcase attributed to Chippendale. The sale also features marvelous timepieces and silver dating from the 17th century to the late 19th century, including an important Ascot trophy sponsored by Tsar Nicholas II.
