Results: Chrisite's London Old Master and British Paintings Sale

Late last week Christie's London held its Old Master and British Paintings sale. The sale offered 96 lots with 63 selling for a fair 66% sell through rate. The sale totaled $4.12 million (including buyers premium), and much of the assembled sale may be considered middle market material, but many with excellent prices.  The sale brought 82% by value which is very good given the number of buy ins.  I reviewed many individual lots, just clicking randomly, and found most selling above the pre sale estimate.

The top selling lot was a Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome), selling for $414,000 against an estimate of $195,000 - $292,000 (see image). The top ten lots were purchased by a mixture of private, trade and institutions, as well as European and American bidders.

Christie's reports on the sale

Comment: Clementine Kerr, Head of Sale: This afternoon’s Old Master & British Paintings sale built on the successes of yesterday’s sale at South Kensington. The bidding was consistent and competitive, showing the continuing buoyancy of the middle market. There were strong prices across the schools, with a Jacob van Hulsdonck Still life, an Allan Ramsay Portrait of Lord North, and a Circle of Canaletto Piazza San Marco, Venice, all making more than double their low estimates.