Results: Christie's 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Sales

On December 15th & 16th Christie's NY held three sales specializing in 20th Century design, including a Tiffany Studio's sale, a 20th Century Decorative Arts and Design sale and a single owner sale of the George and Frayda Lindemann collection. The three sales combined for a total of $9.1 million.

The Tiffany sale brought $2.53 million including commissions, selling 46 of 52 lots offered (88% lots selling), from a pre sale estimate range of $1.8 - $2.6 million. Very nice results on this sale, nearly equaling the high estimates totals with commissions.

The decorative art and design sale totaled $2.99 84 with premiums on 52 of 84 lots selling (62% selling). The pre sale estimates were $3.3 - $4.8 million without premiums. A little slower than the Tiffany sale, but missing the total low estimate even with premiums.

The single owner Lindemann sale totaled $3.58 million, selling 42 of 54 lots. The Lindeman sale was expected to sell between $3.5 and $5.4 million without premiums. This sale just hit the low estimate when premiums are included.

Philippe Garner, International Head of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, commented: “We are pleased with the solid results and the energetic participation from international buyers generated by these sales. We were particularly pleased by the strong results achieved for some of the fundamental categories of 20th century design - notably work produced by Tiffany Studios, and French Art Deco."

Overall the sales results look promising, not great, but certainly not poor or devastating. Over the past several months it seems like at times we appraisers dont even blink after poor or even devastating results are announced after an important auction. At least with 20th century design decorative arts, sales are decent and maybe even robust (at least for Tiffany Studios), and that is some need good news. Overall the values were in line with estimates (although estimates have been tempered somewhat lately with the auction houses being less aggressive - see yesterdays post or click HERE) and the sales percentages of items sold were good.