AN AMAZING MULTI-GEM 'ASTRO BOY' FIGURINE

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

The manga “Mighty Atom” (“Tetsuwan Atomu”) was first introduced in 1951, written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka, one of the most well-known cartoonists in Asia who was crowned “the father of Manga.” He has been named one of the pioneers of Japanese cartoon, whose works remain to have tremendous popularity today. In the “Mighty Atom” series, Tezuka depicts a 21st century metropolitan world of Tokyo city with ‘Atom-san’ as the protagonist, an android with human emotions. He possesses super-strength, x-ray vision, unimaginable speed and the ability to fly with his jet-powered legs!In celebration of ‘Atom-san’s 15th birthday this year, we present to you “Diamond Atom.” He carries a heart-shaped ruby in his chamber, situated side-by-side intricate technical details of a normal robot to juxtapose his idiosyncratic features and humanly emotions. Along with over 1,500 jewels totaling to 20.43 carats of diamonds, 10.68 carats of rubies and 1.70 carats of emeralds. The maker of this “Diamond Atom” took over a year to brainstorm, license, gather all the gemstones, mold and mount this 102.4-gram pavé-set throughout pure 18K-gold miniature ‘Atom-san.’ His biggest challenge was creating the accessible door on his chest to place the ruby heart as well as making his articulated head and arms. The estimated value was appraised at US$1,000,000 or HK$7,800,000 in Japan. It drew media attention and was introduced on TV and newspapers including The Nikkei, The Mainichi, The Tokyo Shinbun, The Asahi Shinbun. This was first exhibited in Atom “Perfect Search” at Takashimaya department store in Tokyo Nihonbashi on the day Atom-san was made (7 April 2003) as written in the comic, and has been presented at more than 10 other exhibitions.

Details

AN AMAZING MULTI-GEM 'ASTRO BOY' FIGURINE
Designed as a pavé-set diamond robot with rotating head and articulated elbows, to the black diamond hair and shorts, emerald and mother-of-pearl belt and ruby boots, the chest opening to reveal a ruby heart, to the glass dome stand, mounted in gold, 9.7 cm

The historical CITES paperwork for this lot is not available and it will not be possible to obtain a CITES export permit to ship this item outside Hong Kong after the sale. Please contact the department for more details and refer to the CONDITIONS OF SALE at the back of this catalogue
US$50,000-78,000

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and crocodile. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Phoebe Fung

pfung@christies.com +852 2978 9929

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