Beyond Indulgence Part 2: The Ultimate Destination First Annual Gift Guide
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DESTINATION LUXURY, 2014 -- We're one week closer to the holiday season and the team at Destination Luxury proudly presents week two of our ultimate gift guide. This week we've put together the best in upcoming auctions and a little something we like to call "off the beaten track." It's a compilation of some of our favorite things that may just be a little bit out there (for some). From a glass bottomed kayak to a literal audio pod, there truly is something for everyone.
AUCTIONS.
THE ICONIC PIANO FROM RICK'S CAFE AMéRICAIN IN CASABLANCA (BONHAM'S)
Part of Bonham's upcoming auction entitled There's No Place like Hollywood, you could own this one of kind original piano from Rick's Cafe, immortalized inCasablanca. All of the items included in this auction (for example, the dress worn by Rita Hayworth in Gilda, and a flying monkey from The Wizard of Oz) will be on display in preview exhibitions in Los Angeles from November 6 -November 9 and in New York from November 20 to November 24. The actual auction will take place in NYC on November 24th, refer to the department for an estimate price.
AN ORIGINAL ONE SHEET POSTER FOR THE MARK OF THE VAMPIRE (1935), STARRING BELA LUGOSI (US$ 150,000 - 200,000)
Also part of of Bonham's upcoming auction entitled There's No Place like Hollywood, is the original one sheet poster for The Mark of the Vampire (1935), starring Bela Lugosi. This iconic Dracula image will be on display in preview exhibitions in Los Angeles from November 6 -November 9 and in New York from November 20 to November 24. The actual auction will take place in NYC on November 24th.
CZECH AVANT-GARDE ART FROM THE ROY AND MARY CULLEN COLLECTION ($1,121,232 to $1,600,512.16)
Toyen's masterpiece and one of the most enduring images of Czech Surrealism, The Message of the Forest, (1936) also known as The Tidings of the Forest, is arguably her greatest Surrealist painting. Ambitious, majestic and haunting in equal measure, the work remains true to Toyen's Czech roots yet also expresses the new found creative confidence and painterly purpose that characterised her work in the years immediately before the Second World War, when both artistic synergy between Prague and Paris and interest in Surrealism was at its height. The auction takes place in London on November 12, 2014.
LETTER WRITTEN BY BEETHOVEN DURING THE CREATION OF "FIDELO"(estimate $75,000 - 95,000)
FINE AUTOGRAPH LETTER ABOUT FIDELIO, SIGNED ("LUDWIG VAN BEETHOWEN") to Baron Peter von Braun, the manager of the Court Opera Houses in Vienna, about preparations for performing parts of Fidelio at Palais Lobkowitz, asking to have certain manuscript instrumental parts handed back to him from the theatre archives, so that he can have some corrections contained there copied into his full score, explaining that Prince Lobkowitz intends to have the opera performed and needs the music; Beethoven asks Braun to be so kind as to write a few words authorizing the Archives of the Theater auf der Wieden to let him have these parts: namely, the first flute part, the three trombones, and the four horns, adding that he is not feeling well, or else he would have come to visit him in person. This piece goes up for auction at Sotheby's in London on November 20th.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
THE AUDI SPORTSCAR EXPERIENCE ($2,995)
Give your loved one the gift of speed for a day with the Audi Sportscar Experience. Held at the Audi Forum at Sonoma Raceway, professional racing drivers will personally instruct your special gift recipient as they test out some of Audi's high performance models on the racetrack. Prices range from just $295 for the Audi Autocross Challenge featuring the TTS model to $2,995 for the advanced, one-day R8 program.
CHINESE SILVER-GILT JAR WITH BIRDS ($6,450)
This magnificent Chinese silver-gilt filigree, enamel and hardstone covered jar is a wonderful example of late 19th century Chinese artistry. The jar has all of the embellishments of 12th century medieval relic or an elaborate Victorian jewelry box and even has some precursors of the art deco movement, which was very much inspired by Asian art. The lobed form of the jar is adorned with birds nestled in branches of prunus set with coral and turquoise cabochons. The bases are marked "Silver, 32 oz." This exceptional and whimsical box is a perfect acquisition for one's personal collection or as a gift.
GIVENCHY BURNT ORANGE BASKETBALL LEATHER POUCH ($856.13)
Givenchy burnt orange textured leather pouch complete with designer logo, basketball design, fully lined. Zip fastening top. Comes with a dust bag. For the basketball/Givenchy enthusiast in all of us.
THE IMMERSIVE AUDIOPHILE POD ($32,000)
This is the acoustically optimized pod that creates an immersive audio experience that is not only heard but also felt. The pod has five speakers built into the ceiling with separate tweeters, mid-range drivers, and central subwoofer that creates frequencies down to 16Hz"sounds humans cannot hear but can feel through the vibrations transmitted by a structure-borne membrane inside the backrest. Akin to sitting inside a 3 1/4"²-diameter speaker, the pod resonates crisp sound at any volume while blocking out background noise to place the listener in the midst of an action movie or an orchestral performance. A specially developed six-channel amplifier with an integrated digital signal processor enables independent regulation of the high- and mid-range speakers and subwoofer, allowing precise customization of sound. The included 16 GB iPad rests in a swiveling anodized aluminum mount and provides content from one's music library or the Internet, while built-in RCA ports allow connection to an external audio source. Crafted by hand in Cologne, Germany, the pod has an aniline-dyed leather exterior, plush microfiber upholstery, and a stainless steel base that rotates the pod up to 350°.
FUGOO'S "GO ANYWHERE" SPEAKER ($199)
The Fugoo Bluetooth speaker line is surely a great holiday gift item this season. Top of the line speakers with sleek designs come with the Fugoo style line, not to mention the ability to easily swap shells based on mood and aesthetic.For the more extreme activity loving individuals, the Fugoo "tough' is 100% water proof, mud proof, snow proof and shock proof. Essentially this is the world's most rugged speaker featuring 40 hours of battery life, built in microphone for full-duplex speakerphone, Siri and Google Now capability. With it's light weight and compact size this is the truly the ultimate holiday gift for anyone who enjoys their amazing sound quality, amazing battery and superb durability. This is the best portable on the market staring at $199.99 USD
JONATHAN ADLER BRASS ORB OBJECT($328)
A starburst sculpture is every decorator's crowning glory. It has all of the juicy fullness of your favorite succulent and the otherworldly appeal of a sea anemone. This is jewelry for your home, hand-sculpted by Jonathan and his team in their Soho studio. What do you do with such a sparklingly dynamic brass orb? Add gravitas to a desktop, curiosity to a side table, or brass to your bedside, of course!
THE ROBOTIC BARTENDER ($25,000)
This is the computerized mixologist found at country clubs, stadium luxury suites, and fine hotels that automatically makes perfect cocktails at the touch of a button. The touchscreen interface allows users to quickly select drink categories such as neats, martinis, and tropical drinks, search alphabetically, or choose a spirit, and it searches its 600-drink database for matching cocktails. Users can view any cocktail's ingredients, invent new libations, and customize traditional cocktails by adding or omitting ingredients, increasing liquor proportions, and adjusting drink size. The unit holds up to 16 750 ml or 1 litre bottles of spirits (not included) and 12 mixers (included) such as tonic water, cola, and lime juice. An ice bin accessible from the countertop holds up to 20 lbs. of ice and a built-in garnish tray keeps blue cheese olives and lemon twists close at hand. The cabinet is made from stainless steel or metal and wood veneer, the countertop is quartz, and the four casters enable easy relocation.
DOMINIE LUXURY iPHONE CASES ($150-200)
Each cover is made of the finest skins (choices include iguana and snake, among others) and framed with a black matte, velvety-smooth TPU shell case. Senior artisans in northern Italy carefully select each piece for its splendor and originality. These genuine skins have subtle variations and imperfections, which enhance their natural beauty. Just like each of Âus, no two are exactly alike! There are currently only available for purchase at A'maree's in Newport Beach, CA
THE TRANSPARENT CANOE KAYAK (2,500)
This canoe-kayak hybrid has a transparent polymer hull that offers paddlers an underwater vista unavailable in conventional boats. Seating two people, the sturdy hull is made of the same durable material found in the cockpit canopies of supersonic fighter jets. The vessel supports up to 425 lbs., displaces a greater amount of water for more surface stability, and paddlers sit lower to the deck, resulting in better balance. Adjustable seats allow paddlers to personalize their leg room. With a lightweight anodized aluminum frame, it can be easily stored or transported. Includes one back seat, one front seat, two fixed estuary paddles, two paddle leashes, and two flotation devices.
THE COVERT AERONAUTICAL COCKTAIL SHAKER ($99.95)
Recalling the covert cocktail shakers developed during prohibition, this is the Art-Deco airplane shaker that surreptitiously serves up chilled libations. The fuselage-shaped shaker rests horizontally on the winged stand with two propellers, evoking an executive's desk ornament. Imbibers can rotate the propellers prior to the launch of happy hour, the fuselage removes from the stand, and its rounded Art Deco lid opens for adding enough ice, vermouth, gin, and olive juice for three dirty martinis. The three aeronautical stabilizers act as sturdy feet for keeping the shaker upright on a bar and the plated nickel exterior can be hand washed and buffed to maintain its sheen.
JONATHAN ALDER BRASS TIC TAC TOE SET ($195)
Play to win with this posh brass and marble Tic Tac Toe set. The grooved marble base is the perfect board for the sculptural brass playing pieces. Like a fine wine or your favorite leather jacket, Adler brass only gets better with age. Over time, the polished brass will develop a rich natural patina. If desired, buff out fingerprints and surface scratches with a dollop of brass polish and a microfiber cloth. And here's a nifty designer's tip: if you have no patience for patina, drop your brass in a bucket of acetone (but only at your own risk).
DOMINIE 2 BOTTLE WINE TOTE ($175)
Who says picnic decor has to be all paper plates and wine in a box? Introducing Dominie's fab 2 Bottle Wine Tote with leather trim and handles. Comes with a completely removable liner, a bottle divider and a detachable nylon shoulder strap. Available in the colors of poppy, espresso, ocean blue, and clear.
The C.W. Dare Carousel Horse. Among carousel antiques, those created by Dare are some the oldest and most coveted among collectors.
RARE C.W. DARE CAROUSEL HORSE ($185,000)
This extremely rare and enchanting carousel horse by Charles W. Dare is a highly important piece of antique Americana. One of the earliest works by one of the first carousel a wonderful example by one of the of first carousel makers in America. Carved in a standing position, this lively steed exhibits all the hallmarks of Dare’s design, such as the forward-facing ears, the perfectly combed mane with a wind-blown effect, the tail of realistic hair, and the distinctive “bird” saddle, which was carved separately and attached. They are very seldom seen outside of museums and private collections, and to find one of such incredible beauty, in such marvelous condition, is truly extraordinary.
JONATHAN ADLER CERAMIC LOLLIPOP HOLDER ($98)
The perfect dichotomy of sickeningly sweet and sweetly sickening: lollipops and Punk. Give this delectable slice of subculture as a gift, or display it permanently in an entryway or dining room buffet. It's perfect for parties"¦ but keep it away from the mosh pit.
THE AIR-X ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR (PRICE UPON REQUEST)
The AIR-X is Untapped Water Systems' flagship home and office unit. The first in our AIR-X Series, it provides up to 36 liters of pure drinking water per day. In addition to providing the cleanest drinking water available, each AIR-X unit efficiently purifies the air while helping to control excess moisture in the surrounding environment, offering real added value not seen in other water machines.
