{"id":344737,"date":"2025-10-09T11:56:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T15:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/blog-api\/?p=344737"},"modified":"2025-10-16T11:52:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T15:52:45","slug":"collecting-focus-rare-whisky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-rare-whisky\/","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Focus: Rare Whisky"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading p1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decades in the making, collectable whiskies are becoming even more desirable for their striking bottle designs, writes Katie Armstrong <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"955\" height=\"637\" data-attachment-id=\"345008\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-rare-whisky\/whisky_aberfeldy_sothebys\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"955,637\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1744291822&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-345008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys.jpg 955w, https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 955px) 100vw, 955px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aberfeldy One of One 49 Year Old 1975, offered at The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction, 2025. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a humble commodity, whisky is fast evolving into a centerpiece of modern luxury, with rare and beautiful bottles valued, both for the receptacle and the spirit inside. \u201cWe began selling spirits specifically in 2019,\u201d says Jonny Fowle, global head of whisky at Sotheby\u2019s, where whisky has been setting new records at auction. \u201cThat year we sold US$15m and we now achieve around US$30m, so it\u2019s really grown quite massively since then.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most expensive whisky auctioned to date\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/buy\/auction\/2023\/the-worlds-most-valuable-whisky-the-epicureans-atlas\/the-macallan-valerio-adami-60-year-old-42-8-abv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Macallan 1926 Single Malt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014sold at Sotheby\u2019s London in 2023 for US$2.7m. When it comes to assessing the collectable value of an individual bottle, the formula is relatively straightforward. \u201cThe better the quality of the whisky, the more bottles are drunk and the fewer that remain\u2014that\u2019s where rarity is introduced,\u201d explains Fowle. Unsurprisingly, limited edition runs also drive the market.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collector preferences are more nuanced, of course. Sotheby\u2019s sells whisky across three main categories, based on where it is distilled\u2014Scotch, Japanese and American\u2014although the global retail market is widening to territories including Denmark, India, Australia and New Zealand. Deciding which category to buy a high-end bottle from, whether from a distillery or at auction, can be highly personal and is often influenced by the storytelling and imagery associated with each region, as much as the vintage and taste.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Brora-Iris_Sothebys.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Brora-Iris_Sothebys.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344743\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Brora Iris 50 Year Old 1972 at The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction 2023. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you look at the way in which Scotch whisky markets itself to the world, it tends to really lean into the mysticism of Scotland,\u201d says Fowle, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, but is also a big Japanophile, having traveled there extensively for his work. \u201cJapan does a similar thing: it\u2019s all about the purity of its water and the serenity of its woodlands,\u201d he adds.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most coveted Japanese whisky is currently Yamazaki 55, which can command more than US$750,000 at auction. And, while less high-end, American whisky remains perennially popular\u2014Sotheby\u2019s sells more of it by volume, though not by value, than any other category.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike wine, whisky does not need to be hidden away or stored in a cellar. So it\u2019s no surprise that design and displayability are growing in significance. \u201cIf you want to buy your whisky to drink, then make sure you\u2019re enjoying what you\u2019re drinking,\u201d says Fowle. \u201cIf you want it to be a centerpiece on your bar, there\u2019s much more room to be attracted to the aesthetics.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Iridos_Sothebys.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Iridos_Sothebys.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344741\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"alignnone\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bowmore Arc-54 The Iridos Edition 42.3 abv (1 BT 70cl). Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distilleries are increasingly working with artists, designers and other luxury brands to create innovative collaborations on bottles and presentation. In 2025, Sotheby\u2019s offered the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/buy\/auction\/2025\/finest-whisky-l25709\/bowmore-arc-54-the-iridos-edition-1-bt-70cl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bowmore ARC-54 Iridos Edition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a unique decanter engineered for the Hebridean distillery by Aston Martin, featuring a titanium lid with a patina that echoes the car\u2019s exhaust. Other distilleries have collaborated with Zaha Hadid Architects and the watchmakers Bremont.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a bottle to suit any aesthetic should not be a challenge at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/digital-catalogues\/distillers-one-of-one-2025?cmp=_b.mktg_pl.sothreal_ct.prtnp_l.en_r.Global_dv.LUX_c.ESPI_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a biennial sale held in partnership with Sotheby\u2019s at Hopetoun House, a stately home near Edinburgh.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now in its third edition and a highlight of the whisky calendar, the 2025 sale on October 10 will be an opportunity to bid on whiskies from distilleries across Scotland that are both rare and visually striking. As the name suggests, each bottle auctioned is a one-of-one design.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Port-Ellen-Prism_Sothebys.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Port-Ellen-Prism_Sothebys-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344739\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Port Ellen Prism 46 Year Old 1978, offered at The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction 2025. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top lot in October will be the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/buy\/auction\/2025\/distillers-one-of-one-2025-l25712-2\/port-ellen-prism-46-year-old-1978-1-bottle-1-5l-1?locale=en&amp;cmp=_b.mktg_pl.sothreal_ct.prtnp_l.en_r.Global_dv.LUX_c.ESPI_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port Ellen Prism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, distilled in 1978 and bottled at 46 years. The oldest Port Ellen single malt Scotch whisky ever released, its bespoke bottle has been designed by award-winning glass artist Wilfried Grootens. Enclosing the 1.5L crystal decanter are 45 individual sheets of painted glass, bonded and polished to form a three-dimensional image that shifts as the viewer moves around it. \u201cI\u2019ve not seen anything like it, particularly in whisky, but not in art or design either,\u201d says Fowle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other notable lots include the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/buy\/auction\/2025\/distillers-one-of-one-2025-l25712-2\/the-glenlivet-spira-60-year-old-1965-1-bottle-1-5l?locale=en&amp;cmp=_b.mktg_pl.sothreal_ct.prtnp_l.en_r.Global_dv.LUX_c.ESPI_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glenlivet SPIRA Single Malt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, distilled in 1965 and matured for six decades in a single hogshead cask, presented in a 1.5L vessel on top of a carved oak plinth. And <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebys.com\/en\/buy\/auction\/2025\/distillers-one-of-one-2025-l25712-2\/ladyburn-one-of-one-2025-marilyn-monroe-by-sam?locale=en&amp;cmp=_b.mktg_pl.sothreal_ct.prtnp_l.en_r.Global_dv.LUX_c.ESPI_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the oldest release from Ladyburn Distillery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, distilled in 1966 and bottled in 2025, has an intimate, rarely seen image of Marilyn Monroe by her friend and photographer Sam Shaw on the label. The 2025 sale raises money for the Distillers\u2019 Charity, which supports various causes across Scotland.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Glenlivet-Spira_Sothebys.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Glenlivet-Spira_Sothebys.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344745\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965, offered at The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction 2025. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When starting a whisky collection, be led by your own taste and think about display later, advises Fowle. There are so many ways to showcase whisky in the home and showstopping bars\u2014 even whole whisky rooms\u2014are growing in popularity with luxury clients.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI know people who have built entire bars around bottles, or they have gone out to find a bottle to build a bar around,\u201d says Fowle. \u201cI even know one collector who had bottles embedded into stained glass in his house.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our Collecting Focus series also features expert advice on<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-wine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wine<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-high-jewelry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jewelry<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-watches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">watches<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-historic-books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">historic books<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-fashion-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fashion history<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-natural-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">natural history<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-music-memorabilia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">music memorabilia<\/span><\/i><\/a> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-americana\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Americana<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/footer-books-generic.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"330402\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/footer-books-generic\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/footer-books-generic.png\" data-orig-size=\"1024,171\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"footer-books-generic\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/footer-books-generic.png\" src=\"\/\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/footer-books-generic-1024x171.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-330402\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Decades in the making, collectable whiskies are becoming even more desirable for their striking bottle designs, writes Katie Armstrong The Aberfeldy One of One 49 Year Old 1975, offered at The Distillers\u2019 One of One Auction, 2025. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s Once a humble commodity, whisky is fast evolving into a centerpiece of modern luxury, with rare [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770370,"featured_media":345008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1393],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-344737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Whisky_Aberfeldy_Sothebys.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1rGh","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":345608,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-holiday-gifting\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":0},"title":"Collecting Focus: Holiday Gifting","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"December 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Find an expertly curated edit of one-off collectables with Sotheby\u2019s Buy Now option, from watches and jewels to rare children\u2019s books, writes Katie Armstrong A holiday bauble celebrating Sotheby\u2019s new headquarters at the Breuer Building, New York. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s The holiday season is here, and with it, the joys and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"platinum and gold necklace with rubies and diamonds","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sothebys-Platinum-Gold-Ruby-Necklace.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346332,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-luxury-handbags\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":1},"title":"Collecting Focus: Luxury Handbags","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"March 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From record-breaking Birkins to playful Chanel collectibles, the handbag market has never been more exciting, writes Mandi Keighran Herm\u00e8s Beton Matte Alligator, Blanc Togo, Bleu Brume Ch\u00e8vre and White, Orange H and Craie Swift, Blanc Sombrero Neige Faubourg Birkin 20 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2022. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s In July 2025, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Hermes Himalaya Birkin luxury handbag","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Handbags_Hermes-Himalaya-Birkin-2014.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346128,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-chinese-art-and-antiques\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":2},"title":"Collecting Focus: Chinese Art and Antiques","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"February 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From headline-making Ming pieces to elegant, accessible ceramics, Chinese art brings exquisite artisanship and a tangible connection to the past to any serious collection, writes Katie Armstrong A rare famille-rose \u201cpeony, magnolia and peach blossom\u201d vase (Tianqiuping), seal mark and period of Yongzheng. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s When a tiny Ming dynasty\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Asian art exhibition featuring various blue and white vases, plates, and bowls","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/031325_Asian_Art_Exhibition_152.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345882,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-rare-drawings\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":3},"title":"Collecting Focus: Rare Drawings","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"January 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Contemporary artists love to collect sketches and studies by their predecessors and they aren\u2019t alone, writes Katie Armstrong Jean-Antoine Watteau, \u201cA Man Playing the Guitar,\u201d which will be auctioned in \u201cMaster Drawings from the Collection of Diane A. Nixon,\u201d Sotheby\u2019s New York, February 4, 2026. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s Old Master drawings\u2014the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"people viewing Master Works at Sotheby's Auction House in London","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Master-Works-London-B.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":346456,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-fine-art-photography\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":4},"title":"Collecting Focus: Fine Art Photography","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"One couple\u2019s remarkable private collection perfectly captures the transportive power of photography, writes Katie Armstrong A 2024 exhibition of photography at Sotheby\u2019s New York. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s The world\u2019s oldest surviving photograph,\u00a0\u201cView from the Window at Le Gras,\u201d was taken by Joseph Nic\u00e9phore Ni\u00e9pce in the mid-1820s. The subject was simple:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"an exhibition of fine art photography at Sotheby's New York","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Photographs-Exhibition-Sothebys-New-York-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345357,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-old-masters\/","url_meta":{"origin":344737,"position":5},"title":"Collecting Focus: Old Masters","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"November 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby\u2019s London is soon to auction some remarkable examples of a genre finding renewed relevance with buyers of all tastes, writes Katie Armstrong Pieter Brueghel the Younger\u2019s \u201cThe Census at Bethlehem,\u201d a key lot at Sotheby\u2019s Old Masters London sales series in December 2025. Photograph: Sotheby\u2019s What defines an Old\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Art and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sotheby's Old Masters auction","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/232770370"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344737"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":345009,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344737\/revisions\/345009"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}