Sotheby's Announces New Middle East Auction Series in Doha

In a November 24th press release, Sotheby's announced a new series of auctions to be held in the Middle East. The venue will be the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The sale is scheduled for March 18 & 19 2009 and will include contemporary art, fine watches, and an Orientalist sale with Middle Eastern inspired works. The Orientalist sale will include an important work by the Austrian artist Rudolf Ernst, "who was one of a generation of artists that took their inspiration from scenes of daily life in the Middle East, rather than political events like their predecessors, Eugène Delacroix and Horace Vernet."

In the past, both Christie's and Sotheby's have held sales in Dubai. As the international auction market grows we are witnessing the major players going to where the money and the high dollar collectors are. The Middle East has been fertile grounds for the large auction houses, and this expansion into Doha clearly shows the international strategy of Sotheby's. In the recent past both Sotheyb's and Christies have moved their major Asian sales to Hong Kong, now a further expansion into the Middle East. The strategy seems to be the targeting of the wealthiest geographic regions, over and above New York and London.

Bill Ruprecht, President and Chief Executive of Sotheby’s, said: “Doha is today a centre of dynamic economic and cultural growth, not only for the region but also internationally. The magnificent Museum of Islamic Art as well as other museums planned for this city are stirring huge excitement around the world and it is a great honour for Sotheby’s to be a part of this dynamism.”

“Our links with Qatar go back almost twenty years when we held pioneering sales for Arab stallions in the USA which attracted great interest from Qatar. Since that time, we have travelled extensively to Qatar and have developed close relationships here. We have also held very successful charity sales in Doha, one in 2005 and one in 2006, each of which achieved the record for a charity auction in the region. Our announcement today is the beginning of an exciting new phase in a long and much valued relationship and we look forward to our future in Doha with enormous enthusiasm.”

To read the full Sotheby's press release, click HERE.