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17 April 2020

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RELEASE | Christie's Expands Global Calendar of Online-Only Sales

17 April 2020

WORLDWIDE – As collectors spend more time online enjoying, learning about, and buying the art and objects they love, Christie’s has significantly expanded its online-only sale offerings across numerous collecting categories, including new themed sales of contemporary art. Among the sales launching globally across the company in April and May are Andy Warhol: Better Days, a fundraising auction to help provide emergency relief to artists throughout the U.S. (full release may be viewed here), and HANDPICKED: 100 Works Selected by the Saatchi Gallery.

Going forward, Christie’s will open a new batch of online-only sales for bidding on a weekly basis, with each timed auction ranging from 14 to 21 days. The number of sales planned for the second quarter will continue to grow, leveraging the remote sale administration capabilities of Christie’s teams in New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong.

Newly scheduled sales span 20th Century art, Asian Art, Decorative Arts, Photography, Science and Natural History, as well as Jewels, Watches, and Handbags (see more details below).

Each online sale is accessible from a computer, tablet or mobile phone 24 hours a day, and participating bidders can receive sale updates via email, text or the free Christie’s app. All payment is by credit card, and fast registration is available remotely. Christie’s online auctions routinely produce exceptional results and reach a broad global audience. In 2019, Christies.com attracted over 13.3 million visitors worldwide and 41% of new buyers came in through online sales.

Jennifer Zatorski, President, Christie’s Americas, commented: “Following our planned move to reduce our printed materials by at least 50% and to increase our investment in digital-first initiatives, Christie’s is now accelerating the development of new enhancements that support our private and online-only sales channels. Our sustained commitment over the last decade to proprietary technology allows us to lead the field in integrated digital capabilities.”

Dirk Boll, President, Christie’s EMEA, said: “Alongside the existing calendar of sales announced earlier last week, we have more than tripled our schedule of online-only sales globally for April and May. This includes newly-created sales from long-standing partnerships with the Warhol Foundation and Saatchi Gallery, as well as conversion of select sales from the traditional saleroom format to online-only offerings.”

Francis Belin, President, Christie’s Asia Pacific, added: “Online sales remain a powerful way for Christie’s to engage Asian clients, with the channel accounting for the largest share of new buyers from the region in 2019. As we continue to innovate and expand our digital offerings across collecting categories, we look forward to announcing additional initiatives soon”.

Christie’s calendar of online-only sales for April and May is available for viewing here, with new sales to open for browsing and bidding weekly. The expanded online-only sale calendar complements Christie’s enhanced Private Sales offerings, creating multiple sale platforms for new and established collectors to bid and buy remotely.

  • Notes to Editors
  • Each sale includes items at multiple price levels, to suit a broad range of collectors
  • 64% of all global clients bought or bid online in 2019
  • Online-Only sales continue to recruit the largest number of new buyers - 41%
  • In 2014, Christie’s sold Pamuk by Richard Serra for $905,000, a top price for an online-only sale
  • In 2011, Christie’s became the first auction house to create its own integrated online sale platform (Elizabeth Taylor Online totaled $9.5 million)
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  • Christie’s Artist Guides
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About Christie’s

Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship   international sales hubs  in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of  global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s  auctions span more than  80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first  fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing  responsible culture  throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps.


* Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price - see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium.