Christie's to Combine Sales

As further evidence of reorganization and cost savings, Christies issues a press release on January 23 of a new sales platform for old master paintings and 19th century European art. The new sales platform will effect the NY location of Christies by combining the previously separate categories. Although Chrisites has test the combination in the past by mixing some 19th century paintings into recent Old Master sales/

According to the press release “This new initiative formalizes a process that began several years ago with the successful introduction of major 19th century works into our Old Master Paintings sales, including the record-breaking sale in 2006 of J.M.W. Turner's 19th century masterpiece, Guidecca, La Donna della Salute and San Giorgio,” said Hall. Similarly, the upcoming sale of Important Old Master Paintings and Sculpture on January 28 includes an array of exceptional works from the early 15th century up to the 19th century, including major works by Turner, John Constable, Ippolito Caffi, and Anne-Louis Girodet. The new sales calendar will include a flagship international auction each January in New York of the most important paintings, drawings and watercolours from the consolidated category, followed by an additional mid-season auction each June. Additionally, further works of art will be offered in Interiors sales throughout the year in New York.

The effect is fewer auction and a gaining of economies of scale by combining the two categories. The London Old Masters and 19th Century European sales are expected to remain separate as the European markets are considered differently than the US markets.