La Maison Ruinart, the oldest established champagne house in the world, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 1959 Dom Ruinart

Maarten Baas Melting Collection Ice Bucket

Blanc de Blancs in 2009 and decided to honor the occasion by commissioning a work of champagne-related art from Dutch artist Maarten Baas.

The Melting Collection Ice Bucket is what resulted, a beautiful shining silver bucket and its lid dissolving helplessly into a puddle on the table.

Only 50 will be produced, delivered in a felt-lined leather and wood presentation box complete with a ‘made-for-display’ water-filled Dom Ruinart bottle.

Price: $8,800

Lehman Brothers is no more but their art collection is about to go on the auction block.   Lehman’s was noted for their amazing art collection and they had some of the most renowned artists lining their hallways and several hundred pieces

Lehman Brothers art collection goes to auction.

will be finding new homes on 1 November 09.

The auction showcases modern and contemporary art with works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and others. The art being sold is estimated to be in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. Proceeds will go towards any creditors.

If contemporary art isn’t your fancy, on 6 December 09, Freeman‘s will sell off 30 lots of European fine paintings from the Lehman collection.

Additionally, another 500+ lots will go to auction on 12 February 2010.

~~ Raine Devries

Your mission, should you choose to accept it…

Combine the following elements:  Sheet metal, Pop-Art, and Radiant Heat.

Whimsical and artistically stylish radiators from Antrax.

Antrax did just that and came out with a fantastic new line of radiators that are whimsical and conversation pieces for almost any environment.

In the traditional symbols for “women” and “men”, they are available in either water or electric.  The lead designer was an Italian by the name of Andrea Crosetta.

~~ Raine Devries

Enhance your lake or pond’s ambiance with a piece of history from King Arthur’s legends. ‘The Lady of the Lake‘ sculpture is reminiscent of Excalibur’s resting place, the famous sword that accompanied Arthur throughout his reign. A womanly arm stretches out from the surface of the water clutching the famous sword in her grasp. This mysterious and unusual sculpture is sure to add some interest to your landscape for £14,500. Only ten are available from Garden of England Bronze Sculptures.

The gallery below includes other pieces available from Garden of England. Doesn’t every wealthy estate need a fantastic bronze sculpture on its expansive lawn? These choices may not necessarily fit everyone’s taste but it is sure to get you thinking. Tell us what kind of sculpture you would purchase for your landscape.

The owner of the Coco Reef Resort in Bermuda really wants you to buy a painting when you visit a new fine art gallery and restaurant in Paget, so much so that he’ll make your vacation free if you buy some art.

The new Caribbean fine arts gallery will be located in the former Triminghams store on South Road in Paget near the hotel. The Royal Gazette reports that the gallery will have an artist in residence available for visitors to watch working.

The $7 million gallery, wine and tapas bar is due to open soon and will have a lavish look with marble floors, crystal chandeliers and “the most luxurious bathrooms in the region.” As for the painting deal, a minimum purchase will be required. Rates at the Coco Reef start around $450 a night

About a month ago, former pop star Michael Jackson began his quest to cancel a huge auction of his personal belongings.   Now, with just a week before the auction, the King of Pop has finageled his way and auctioneer Darren Julien has said that he has reached an agreement with Jackson that will see the items returned to Jackson after the public exhibit of the 1,400 lots is over.

The auction, to be held on April 22-25, was to have included Jackson’s customized Rolls-Royce, costumes, memorabilia, art and custom furnishings and was anticipated to have brought in more than $10 million. It would have been the largest authorized of Jackson’s belongings and Julien’s Auction House has spared no expense in putting the auction together.

Some reports speculate that Darren Julien spent as much $2 million preparing the sale and the exhibit even creating a signed and numbered five-volume catalog that would sell for $500. Jackson is believed to have paid some money in a settlement with the auction house that may result in some of the items finding a permanent public home in some sort of museum-like space.