by Guido Wannenes
This issue of our magazine comes out two months later but promises to be as rich – and maybe more! – than ever. The lockdown has in fact found us prepared and has gradually turned into an opportunity to gather ideas and continue the constant dialogue with all customers, collectors and enthusiasts who have followed us through the many digital tools.
The auctions in March set important sales records (+ 66% compared to the same period in 2019) and two World Record Prices: an ivory plate by Christoph Daniel Schenck, awarded at €350,100, and a gold paint background by Orazio di Jacopo, sold at €162,600.
In May, the Design Department achieved more than 1,000,000 euros with 76% of sales. As I’m writing, the Jewellery web-only auction is registering a great interest that leads us to forecast a six-monthly turnover – for this type of sales – twice as high as in 2019.
There is a desire for art and luxury. We are eager to resume cultivating our passions. This is why we have decided to redouble our efforts to offer you a complete sales calendar that will bring the number of auctions held in this first part of 2020 to 14, as and more than in a normal semester.
We will start in June from Genoa with the Furniture of an Italian Noblewoman and the Antique and 19th Century Paintings – to be mentioned a Trionfo – Triumph – by Filippo Napoletano and the portrait of Marthe by Federico Zandomeneghi – to end in Milan with the auction of Silver, Ivory and Russian Art that will present Italian, English and French works as well as an important selection of icons.
In July, we will continue, again in Milan, with the Majolica and Porcelain Collection by Grazia Biscontini Ugolini, a great Lady of Ceramics, and Modern & Contemporary Art, to which we have dedicated the cover story. And then, Genoa with Forme – a selection of the best Italian and international design – and Jewels and Watches in the splendid setting of the Hotel Metropole in Monte Carlo.
The auction organised at Garage Italia by Classic & Sport Cars deserves a special mention: among the many two and four-wheeled masterpieces that will be presented, there will also be the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso “Azzurra” and the 595 Abarth “Azzurra” Tender by Lapo Elkann, who decided to sell them through Wannenes to donate the proceeds to the LAPS Foundation.
A great gesture by a great ambassador of Made in Italy in the world and a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire two iconic cars, representing Italian elegance and taste, while at the same time doing a good deed.
Finally, I would like to thank all those who, despite the moment, have written their articles for this issue of our magazine and more generally all Wannenes’ staff who, with enthusiasm, professionalism and passion, have worked and are continuing to work to ensure the usual conduct of our auctions.
If it is true that you can win only in a team, this time we have proved to be really a unique and special one.
Ferrari GTC4 Lusso “Azzurra” Tailor made by Lapo Elkann