|
KANDOBLANC's
'Dragon in Clouds' reaches landmark US
$142,433 at Distillers One of One
Auction. This was the highest lot price
achieved by an independent house at this
year’s auction.
KANDOBLANC, the visionary maison where
art, culture, and rare whisky converge,
has achieved a landmark result at the
Distillers One of One auction in
partnership with Sotheby’s. Its
one-of-a-kind creation, Dragon in
Clouds, sold for US $142,433, marking
the highest price achieved by an
independent boutique company and the
sixth-highest lot overall among 39
exceptional releases — more than
doubling KANDOBLANC’s previous record.
The sale represents more than a triumph
of craft and creativity; it underscores
KANDOBLANC’s enduring commitment to
cultural purpose. One hundred percent of
proceeds from Dragon in Clouds were
donated to The Distillers’ Charity in
support of the Youth Action Fund, which
provides transformative opportunities
for disadvantaged young people across
Scotland. Collectively, the auction’s 39
bespoke lots raised an impressive US
$3.88 million for charitable causes.
"Beyond the auction result, we see
meaning in what this contribution
enables," said Dhavall Gandhi, founder
and artistic director of KANDOBLANC.
"Empowering the youth isn’t just about
giving them resources; it’s about giving
them opportunities to thrive. The
impactful work of the Distillers’
charity is an investment in a brighter
tomorrow for everyone. As a Maison
devoted to cultural sustainability, we
are proud and honoured to be part of
this journey."
"It is very special to us to know that
this exceptional sum that has been
raised will have a direct impact on
Scotland’s disadvantaged youth," added
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, Managing Director
of Distillers One of One.
A singular fusion of East and West,
Dragon in Clouds brings together the
disciplines of Japanese craftsmanship
and Italian glassmaking artistry in a
cross-cultural collaboration that
spanned more than two years. Conceived
as both sculpture and vessel, the work
united KANDOBLANC with master artisans,
designers, and visual storytellers from
across the globe, each contributing to a
shared vision of elegance and restraint.
At its core lies a 60-year-old Speyside
Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in
refill Sherry casks — a liquid of
extraordinary depth, balance, and
sophistication. Its serene character
mirrors the philosophy behind the piece
itself: contemplative, timeless, and
profoundly human.
Beyond its aesthetic and sensory allure,
Dragon in Clouds is a statement of
KANDOBLANC’s mission to preserve and
evolve artisanal heritage. The maison’s
model of artistic sustainability ensures
that ancient crafts — from glassblowing
to metalwork and fine finishing — remain
economically viable for the next
generation of master makers.
Arriving at a moment when collectors
increasingly seek objects of cultural
resonance and emotional authenticity,
Dragon in Clouds stands as both an
artwork and an ethos — a meditation on
legacy, mastery, and meaning.
KANDOBLANC has announced plans to reveal
details of its next creation, a singular
piece inspired by Mount Fuji, later this
year — continuing its dialogue between
artistry, nature, and time.
The Distillers One of One auction took
place at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh
on Friday, 10 October, with Sotheby’s as
auction partner. All proceeds support
The Distillers’ Charity and its vital
mission to empower Scotland’s next
generation.
|
