The Curio-Aesthete blog is a digital sanctuary for lovers of decorative arts and artisanal beauty. This captivating platform takes readers on a journey through history, unveiling the stories behind exquisite objects and techniques from diverse eras and cultures. Within its virtual salons, The Curio-Aesthete cultivates a refined appreciation for life's finer pleasures. It celebrates the reign of beauty, rejecting minimalism's austerity in favor of embellishment and ornate grandeur. The blog serves as a haven for aesthetes, embracing the allure of artistic curiosities and rare finds.
The cornerstone of our luxury aspirations this December lies in Christie's magnificent auction, "L'Art Du Luxe: Masterpieces of French Furniture." This extraordinary collection traced the evolution of French luxury from the splendor of Louis XIV through the romantic Rococo and refined Neoclassical periods.For those who seek modern expressions of luxury, Christie's "Handbags Online: The New York Edit" presents an irresistible collection of leather-bound dreams.
Read MoreThe exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton beautifully captures the synergy between Basquiat’s expressive style and Warhol’s pop sensibility. Their collaborative works reveal a fusion of their distinct approaches, creating a new visual language that challenges conventional art boundaries. Despite—or perhaps because of—their groundbreaking work, the relationship between Basquiat and Warhol was viewed through various lenses. Some critics saw it as mutually exploitative; Warhol needed Basquiat’s fresh perspective to rejuvenate his career, while Basquiat sought Warhol’s fame to cement his status in the art world.
Read MoreDarlings, we continue our Empress Eugenie spotlight by whisking you away on a grand tour of Empress Eugénie's sumptuous residences and her exquisite influence on the decorative arts!
Picture this: It's the height of the Second Empire, and our Adventuress is not just any empress - she's the arbiter of taste, the queen of style, the embodiment of 19th-century chic! Her influence on the decorative arts was so profound, that it would make Marie Antoinette's ghost weep with envy.
Read MorePicture this: It's 1854, and Paris is positively buzzing with the rustle of silk and the salacious whispers of court gossip. Our heroine, the ravishing Spanish-born Eugénie, has just pulled off the social coup of the century - marrying Emperor Napoleon III himself!
But what's a newly minted empress to do with a wardrobe that could clothe a small army and no proper way to transport it? Enter our dashing young malletier, Louis Vuitton.Back in 1854, when Vuitton first established himself as a malletier (trunk-maker) on Rue Neuve des Capucines in Paris, he was charged not only with crafting the Empress's luggage but with filling it too....This week on HIGH SOCIETEA X THE CURIO AESTHETE
Read MoreThe Louis Vuitton Malle Courrier Exhibition, held at the historic Louis Vuitton Family House in Asnières, offered an unprecedented glimpse into the brand's rich heritage and innovative spirit. This immersive experience not only showcased the iconic Malle Courrier trunk but also a cabinet of curiosity and stunning visual elements. This week on THE CURIO AESTHETE.
Read MoreAfter discovering that Ken Griffin was the mysterious buyer of the "Apex" Stegososarus at the recent Sothebys Natural History Sale, our interest was piqued in his $1 billion art collection. If you had a fortune of $37.9 billion, what pieces of art would you invest in? Tune in to this weeks COLLECTOR PROFILE on The Curio Aesthete to find out more.
Read MoreThis week at auction we take a look at the historic sale of "Apex," the largest and most complete Stegosaurus skeleton ever found. The intense bidding war among seven determined buyers that marked a significant moment in paleontology and the auction industry. This event highlighted the increasing value of paleontological specimens and the enduring fascination people have with dinosaurs. As "Apex" finds its new home, whether in a private collection or a public institution, it carries the legacy of the Jurassic period and its modern journey from the Colorado soil to the peak of the auction world. Ultimately, "Apex" was acquired by Ken Griffin, a billionaire philanthropist and art collector for a cool USD 44.6 Million, we present a brief buyer profile on him at the end.
Read MoreIn his work "The Principle of Ornament," James Ward explores the importance of ornamentation in design, defining it as the addition of forms or colors to enhance the beauty of an object or surface without changing its fundamental shape or essence. This week on The Curio Aesthete, we are introducing a new segment dedicated to ornamentation and discussing how the Louis Vuitton Monogram embodies Ward's ideas about ornamentation. The Monogram enriches Louis Vuitton products' surfaces while maintaining their original form and identity, adding a touch of beauty and brand recognition.
Read MoreThe Fabergé x Gemfields Malaika Egg, unveiled on July 1, 2024, is a stunning collaboration showcasing 308 Mozambican rubies from the Montepuez mine. Priced at $1.2 million, this exquisite art object features guilloché enamel resembling angel wings, inspired by its name "Malaika" (angel in Swahili). The egg contains a hidden 5-carat Mozambican ruby encased in a removable rose gold filigree sphere.
While the Malaika Egg represents a new creation, it's worth noting that some historical Fabergé eggs remain missing. The Nécessaire Egg, created in 1889, is one such lost treasure. Last seen in London in 1949, its whereabouts are currently unknown, making it a subject of great interest for Fabergé collectors and historians.
Read MoreThe LV DREAM exhibit was a spectacular journey through 160 years of Louis Vuitton's creative genius. It offered a mesmerizing exploration of the Maison's artistic collaborations and innovative evolution. Set in the historic La Belle Jardinière building in central Paris, this immersive exhibition takes visitors on a captivating journey through nine themed rooms, each offering a unique perspective on the brand's rich history and contemporary relevance.
Read MoreJourney through time & discover how these exquisite travel companions evolved from 14th-century France to become the pinnacle of luxury on-the-go. From practical essentials to bespoke creations, explore the fascinating history of these compact marvels that preceded modern vanity cases. Indulge your curiosity and aesthetic senses as we reveal the intricate details of these refined objets d'art.
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