Sotheby's to Move 20th Century Dec Arts and Photography to Paris

The Antiques Trade Gazette is reporting that Sotheby's is moving Photography and 20th century decorative art and design sales from its London rooms to Paris. There might be a few exceptions for single owner sales, beyond that it seems like Paris will be the new location for these specialty departments at Sotheby's.

The ATG reports

Similarly, with French Art Deco and post-war design forming such a strong financial plank of the current market for 20th century decorative art, Paris is an obvious location to sell work by the big French names, although New York retains its place as an international centre for this material.

Cécile Verdier, formerly at Christie's, who moved to Sotheby's in 2008 to run the Paris 20th century decorative art and design department, becomes European director and will now head up a team of Europe-based specialists for the Paris-based sales, the next one being scheduled for May 25.

Jeremy Morrison, Sotheby's London director for decorative art sales, now becomes Senior European business getter, based in London but travelling extensively.

Sotheby's London sales, which were held twice a year, had become the repository for a broader-based range of more decorative material, with most high-end Deco and Modernism going to Paris and New York.

While British decorative art may not have the overall commercial volume or value of its French counterparts, there are some blue-chip names in this field. Asked where Sotheby's would now sell the top Arts and Crafts by the likes of Morris, Voysey, Ashbee or Mackintosh, Mr Morrison said these would now go to Paris as work by these makers has a place in the international design lexicon.

But he also added that London would still be used to sell single-owner collections in the decorative art field if the content were better suited to this location.

To read the full ATG article, click HERE.

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