It was another expensive episode of Pieces of People on Saturday. For example, seller Jacques Haenen from Keerbergen came up with a work of art by the Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky. The man, who was part of the Cobra movement, created this work in 1963 with Chinese ink and watercolor. The retired scientist turned out to be an expert. “I have a modest but representative collection of his works at home,” he said. “All works also have a certificate of authenticity. I sometimes also contact Pierre by email.”
Dealer Frank Van Laer was immediately a huge fan because the work was from the year he was born in 1963. He also knew that hardly any of Alechinsky’s early work comes onto the market. The seller had bought the work at an auction in Paris for 26,600 euros, but the prices of these types of works are said to be on the rise.
The enthusiasm among the dealers was great. Although they realized that there was a price tag attached to it. Carlo Bonte spoke of ‘a big fish’.
Sofie Van de Velde offered up to 24,000 euros, but that was too little. It turned out that Jacques bought the work himself years ago for 26,000 euros. Van Laer did not exceed that amount, after which the seller approached Paul de Grande. When it immediately jumped from 25,000 to 30,000 euros, Haenen realized that he had to agree. He dreamed of 32,000 euros, but that was too high. The right move, because Carlo Bonte had only offered up to 28,000 euros.
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This work just comes into the top of the most expensive sales ever from Stukken Van Mensen. Three weeks ago, 32,500 euros was already given to a vintage Volkswagen. And the dealers pay these amounts out of their own pockets. So it seems to be an expensive season for them.
Declutter
Alechinsky’s work wasn’t the only expensive item, thousands of euros were thrown twice in this episode. Antwerp entrepreneur Hans Hanegreefs sold his gold Rolex that he had worn every day for thirty years. The man was moving to Cape Verde and was downsizing. After thirty years of loyal service, he wanted to part with his exclusive watch.
The watch in question was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, waterproof to 100 meters and made of 18-carat gold. Dealer Yves Chung is a watch collector and made an effort, but Carlo Bonte also turned out to be a Rolex fanatic. He even wore one during the shoot. “I once paid 19,000 euros for it, now I want at least 15,000 euros for it,” Hanegreefs said to Evy Gruyaert upon arrival.
In the second room, Carlo made an offer of 15,500 euros, which the Antwerp resident agreed to. Bonte had already exceeded his limit. “I gave a thousand euros more than I wanted. But I really wanted the watch.” This also turned out to be a wise decision. The other dealers did not want to give more than 12,500 euros.
‘Pieces of people’, Saturday at 9.10 pm on Play4.
Pieces of People: An Expensive Episode of Artistic Antics
Well, well, well, it seems like Pieces of People just hit the bricks with another episode that had wallets quaking and hearts racing! Seriously, the sums thrown around like confetti at a wedding could make a banker weep. Let’s dive into this thrilling art bazaar.
The Masterpiece That Sparked All The Fuss
First up, we have Jacques Haenen from Keerbergen, who brought along a rather impressive work of art by the famous Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky. Now, I don’t know about you, but when someone drops “Cobra movement” in casual conversation, it makes me think more of a reptile in a bad mood than a revolutionary art collective! But I digress.
This piece from 1963 was created with Chinese ink and watercolor—because why just use one medium when you can flex multiple? Jacques, a retired scientist (because obviously, being an art connoisseur wasn’t enough of a challenge), casually dropped the bomb that he has a “modest but representative collection” at home. It’s like saying, “I only own a couple of castles!” and then Instagramming your last trip to the Louvre.
Dealers: The Sharks in a Feeding Frenzy
Enter dealer Frank Van Laer, who got a bit starry-eyed at the thought of history—the year he was born, no less! Both Frank and his fellow dealer Carlo Bonte were practically licking their lips at this prospect. Carlo called it a “big fish.” I guess some people see art, while others see their bank account balancing on the edge of a precipice.
Sofie Van de Velde pitched in a whopping 24,000 euros, but Jacques wasn’t having it! You see, he bought the piece for 26,600 euros and had the audacity to hope for more, which is like trying to sell a used car and tossing in a mint-condition model on the side! What a dreamer! In the end, a sudden bump to 30,000 euros sealed the deal, but not without Jacques contemplating his own dreams of 32,000 euros. Hey, if you’re going to dream, dream big!
The Rolex Roulette
And if that’s not enough to raise your eyebrows, let’s chat about Hans Hanegreefs, who decided after thirty years of loyal service from his gold Rolex that it was time to downsize. Honestly, is it just me, or does wearing a Rolex every day for thirty years sound like overkill? It’s like putting a tuxedo on a hamster just because you can!
The man’s exclusive Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date was the star of the second room, and it seems dealer Yves Chung also had a keen eye. But Carlo Bonte, apparently not content with his own wrist candy, entered the fray wearing one himself! “I paid 19,000 euros for it, but I want at least 15,000 euros,” he exclaimed. Talk about wanting your cake and eating it too!
In a twist of fate (or should I say, financial gymnastics), Carlo offered 15,500 euros, and just like that, Hanegreefs was grinning ear to ear. Only to be told—surprise, surprise—that the other dealers wouldn’t match it. Who knew haggling was such a sport?
Expensive Season Ahead!
This episode is definitely in the running for the most expensive sales ever—quite literally! Just three weeks earlier, a vintage Volkswagen was sold for 32,500 euros. Yes, folks, the art market isn’t just a place for pretentious discussions over overpriced wine; it’s one big showdown! And all these dealers seem prepared to empty their pockets just to up their collection game. Don’t you just love a good cash splash?
Declutter? More Like ‘Wallet Clutter’
Let’s not forget the overarching theme: decluttering. Is this what minimalism looks like in 2023? Sell your gold Rolex, buy a piece of art, and tell everyone you’re living the simple life—all while your bank account plays Twister with your sanity!
The best part? You can catch all the action on Saturday at 9:10 pm on Play4. You’ll witness bidding wars that make the Hunger Games look like a children’s tea party!
So grab your popcorn, folks. This isn’t just art. It’s a theatrical performance with a price tag, and it’s airing soon!
In a captivating episode of Pieces of People that aired on Saturday, the auction was filled with extraordinary items that commanded hefty prices. Among the standout pieces was a remarkable artwork crafted by renowned Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky, a significant figure in the Cobra movement. This piece, created in 1963 using a blend of Chinese ink and watercolor, was brought in by seller Jacques Haenen from Keerbergen. A retired scientist, Haenen expressed his appreciation for Alechinsky’s art, noting, “I have a modest but representative collection of his works at home. All works also have a certificate of authenticity. I sometimes also contact Pierre by email.”
The work struck a chord with dealer Frank Van Laer, who was not only thrilled about the artwork’s quality but was also drawn in by the fact that it was created in the very year of his own birth, 1963. He was acutely aware that early pieces from Alechinsky rarely surface in the market. Haenen had acquired this artwork at a Paris auction for 26,600 euros. However, given the rising demand and market value for such exceptional works, the anticipation of higher bids filled the room.
The dealers were abuzz with enthusiasm, fully aware of the significant price implications. Carlo Bonte referred to the artwork as ‘a big fish’, indicating the high stakes involved.
Sofie Van de Velde initially offered 24,000 euros, a bid that was swiftly deemed insufficient. Jacques had originally purchased the work for 26,000 euros, and Van Laer hesitated to push beyond that figure. However, when Haenen approached Paul de Grande, the bidding rapidly escalated from 25,000 to 30,000 euros, compelling Haenen to seize the opportunity. Although he had hoped for 32,000 euros, it became clear that this amount was unrealistic. Ultimately, he made the right call, as Bonte had only offered a maximum of 28,000 euros.
This Alechinsky piece now ranks among the top sales in the history of Stukken Van Mensen, joining the ranks of an impressive vintage Volkswagen that fetched 32,500 euros just three weeks prior. It appears to be an expensive season for the dealers, who are investing significant sums out of their own pockets.
In addition to Alechinsky’s art, another significant item came from Antwerp entrepreneur Hans Hanegreefs, who decided to part ways with his gold Rolex after three decades of daily wear. As he prepares to relocate to Cape Verde, Hanegreefs is downsizing and felt it was time to let go of his beloved timepiece.
This Rolex, an Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, boasts waterproof capabilities of up to 100 meters and is crafted from 18-carat gold. Watch dealer Yves Chung, an avid collector, expressed keen interest, but he faced stiff competition from Carlo Bonte, a fellow Rolex enthusiast who even showcased his own Rolex during the filming. “I once paid 19,000 euros for it, now I want at least 15,000 euros for it,” Hanegreefs stated to the show’s host, Evy Gruyaert.
Carlo ultimately made an offer of 15,500 euros in the second room, which Hanegreefs accepted. Despite exceeding his planned budget, Bonte stated, “I gave a thousand euros more than I wanted. But I really wanted the watch.” His instinct proved correct, as other dealers were unwilling to bid higher than 12,500 euros.
‘Pieces of people’ airs Saturdays at 9:10 PM on Play4.
In this episode of *Pieces of People*, auction excitement soared as high-value items captivated dealers and collectors alike. Among the highlights was a striking artwork by the esteemed Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky, known for his pivotal role in the Cobra movement. This specific piece, created in 1963 using a combination of Chinese ink and watercolor, was presented by seller Jacques Haenen, a retired scientist from Keerbergen. With a self-proclaimed “modest but representative collection” at home, Haenen cherished Alechinsky’s works, even occasionally communicating with the artist himself.
The auction’s atmosphere was electrified as dealer Frank Van Laer felt a personal connection to the artwork, having been born in the same year it was created. Recognizing that early Alechinsky pieces are rarely available, Van Laer and fellow dealer Carlo Bonte were eager to partake in the bidding. Sofie Van de Velde kicked things off with an offer of 24,000 euros, which was swiftly deemed insufficient due to Haenen’s purchase price of 26,600 euros. As the competition heated up, the bids surged to 30,000 euros, ultimately leading to a sale that Haenen initially hoped could exceed 32,000 euros.
This Alechinsky piece has now solidified its place in the top echelons of sales within Stukken Van Mensen, marking a significant moment in a season characterized by high-stakes bidding. Just weeks earlier, a vintage Volkswagen fetched 32,500 euros, reinforcing the notion that the art market is anything but dull.
As we continue to witness such “wallet cluttering” in the name of art, it’s clear that the dramatic interplay of desire, value, and collection continues to fuel a thrilling auction scene. Don’t miss all the captivating drama and bidding wars on Saturday at 9:10 pm on Play4, proving that in the world of art, the stakes are as high as the prices!
