Forging an Art Market in China

by David Barboza, Graham Bowley and Amanda Cox via “The New York Times”

“When the hammer came down at an evening auction during China Guardian’s spring sale in May 2011, “Eagle Standing on a Pine Tree,” a 1946 ink painting by Qi Baishi, one of China’s 20th-century masters, had drawn a startling price: $65.4 million. No Chinese painting had ever fetched so much at auction, and, by the end of the year, the sale appeared to have global implications, helping China surpass the United States as the world’s biggest art and auction market.

But two years after the auction,  . . . “

 

“Roots of Indian Architecture”

by Ashish Nangia via “Little India”

“The present Indian civilization, culturally speaking, can be traced back to early Harappan, Buddhist and Gupta age roots, when the foundations of Indian culture were laid. However, few recognize that many core Indian architectural forms also took shape during this era as well.

Some of the architectural transitions from the Buddhist to the Gupta age were deciphered by British colonial archaeologists and historians in the 19th century by decoding and preserving manuscripts, artifacts and structures from ancient India.

The Buddha preached and laid the foundations for . . . . “

 

 

New Caledonia Returns Solomon Islands Red Feather Money

via “Island Business“

“The Museum of New Caledonia (MNC) and Solomon Islands National Museum (SINM) are participating in a cultural exchange – the return of the traditional red feather money (te vau). Red feather money is considered a national treasure by the people of the Solomon Islands. . . . “

 

“Completion of the World’s Largest of Equine Sculptures”

“Andy Scott stands with Clydesdale Horses Duke and Baron and Donna Auchinvole during a topping out ceremony at The Kelpies on November 27, 2013 in Falkirk, Scotland. Construction work has been completed on Andy Scott’s Kelpies, the world’s largest pair of equine sculptures and one of the UKs tallest pieces of public art . . . .”

 

“Research Looted Art Oranjes”

by Audrey Graanoogst via “NL Times”

“The Royal House is investigating whether there is looted art in the art collection of the royal family. An expert will study the origin of the collection, belonging to the Royal Collections since 1933.  An independent expert with specific experience in this area will perform the research, announced the Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD). . . .”