Editor’s Picks: October 2023 – 1st Edition

What goes with an Hermès Himalayan Kelly? Short answer: everything. But not everyone will have the pleasure of adding this elusive accessory to their collection. Even rarer than a Himalayan Birkin, this Himalayan Niloticus Crocodile Retourne Kelly is a masterwork of incomparable craftsmanship. Produced in extremely limited quantities, the bag is made from one of the scarcest materials on earth, the hide of the Nile crocodile, which is painstakingly hand-dyed to transform the smoky gray skin into a luminous white ombre reminiscent of the snow-capped Himalayas.   

Hermès 32cm Matte White Himalayan Niloticus Crocodile Retourne Kelly Bag with Palladium Hardware
Auction: October 5

Owing to its irresistible charm and romance, Paris attracted throngs of painters from the moment of its dominance as the center of the art world in the 19th century, continuing to the present day. Inspired by the beauty and energy of the French capital, Edouard Cortès, one of the best-known Parisian view painters, painted rich and vibrant cityscapes as well as tranquil scenes of the countryside. But his most popular compositions capture Paris in all her splendor, like this circa 1949 piece depicting a bustling scene in front of the Arc de Triomphe.  

Edouard-Léon CortèsChamps-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, circa 1949
Oil on canvas
13 x 18 inches (33.0 x 45.7 cm)
Auction: October 10

This magnificent mineral comes from a 2007 excavation that yielded a small but stunning find of fewer than 30 fluorite specimens that joined the realm of true mineral classics: the “Alien Eye” fluorites. This find was named for the unusual phantom/zoning pattern of the pocket: colorless edges, a sharp internal layer of deep purple-black, and eerily bright green centers that have an extraterrestrial presence, hence the pocket’s name. This example has two aesthetically conjoined crystals, the larger of which is oriented perfectly to display the “Alien Eye” effect.

“Alien Eye” Fluorite

Kudubis 19 farm, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia
9.2 x 7.4 x 5.1 cm (3.62 x 2.91 x 2.01 in)
Auction: October 11