Christie's Classic Week Sales Total $43,933,125
New York – Christie’s announces the Classic Week series of auctions achieved a combined total of $43,933,125. There was global participation with bidders from 32 countries across five continents. During the week four records were achieved and eight lots exceeded $1M across all categories.
Standout lots across the sales include the illuminated Parisian Book of Hours, circa 1440 by the Master of the Paris Bartholomeus Anglicus, which achieved $3,630,000, and a complete first edition of the works of Plato which set a world auction record any work by Plato and totaled $1,026,000 – both works came from the Collection of Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg. A recently rediscovered masterpiece by Sebastiano Del Piombo, The Vision of Saint Anthony Abbot, set world auction record for the artist at $3,150,000.
CLASSIC WEEK | OVERVIEW OF LIVE AUCTION RESULTS:
Illuminated Manuscripts and Early Printed Books from the Collection of Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg
23 April 2021
TOTAL: $12,405,625
98% SOLD BY LOT | 92% SOLD BY VALUE
142% HAMMER ABOVE LOW ESTIMATE
The Illuminated Manuscripts and Early Printed Books from the Collection of Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg totaled $12,405,625 and were 98% sold by lot and 92% sold by value. Leading the collection was a masterpiece of book painting, the illuminated example of the work of the Master of the Paris Bartholomeus Anglicus, a Parisian Book of Hours, circa 1440 which achieved $3,630,000, exceeding its estimate of $1,500,000-2,500,000.
The second top lot of the collection a complete first edition of the works of Plato which set a world auction record any work by Plato and totaled $1,026,000, above the estimate of $200,000-400,000. This edition was translated by Marsilio Ficino, one of the greatest scholars of Greek in the Renaissance and printed in Florence by the nuns of San Jacopo di Ripoli. Browse sale results here.
Old Masters
22 April 2021
TOTAL: $17,966,250
The Old Masters sale achieved a total of $17,966,250. The top lot of the sale was a recently rediscovered masterpiece by Sebastiano Del Piombo, The Vision of Saint Anthony Abbot, which set world auction record for the artist at $3,150,000. Another record for a painting by the artist was set for Orazio Samacchini with The Baptism of Christ which achieved $487,500 above its estimate of $200,000-300,000. Additional notable results include Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin’s A mallard and a bitter orange ($2,550,000); Lucas Cranach the Elder’s The Resurrection ($2,190,000); and an early Roman School circa 1275-1300 work entitled Eight Scenes from the Life of Christ, which was acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ($1,470,000). Browse sale results here.
Antiquities
21 April 2021
TOTAL: $4,440,375
The Antiquities sale achieved a total of $4,440,375, with 85% sold by lot. The top lot was a Roman marble Hygeia circa Late 1st Century B.C – Early 1st Century A.D. from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection which achieved $325,000. Other top lots include an important Greek Carnelian scarab with a running youth from the Archaic Period circa 530 B.C. which totaled $250,000 and set a record for an archaic period gem, as well as a Roman marble portrait head of a man which realized $200,000. Browse sale results here.
European Art
21 April 2021
TOTAL: $3,869,375
The European Art sale totaled $3,869,375 and was led by Jean-François Millet’s Portrait of Madame Martin which achieved $625,000, exceeding the estimate of $200,000-300,000. Other top lots that outperformed their estimates include The Gold State Coach at the Royal Mews and Willows on the Stour by Sir Alfred James Munnings, which sold for $387,500 and $300,000, as well as Edwin Lord Weeks’ Lake at Oodeypore, India which totaled $287,500. Browse sale results here.
CLASSIC WEEK | OVERVIEW OF ONLINE AUCTION RESULTS:
Old Masters Part II
8-23 April 2021
TOTAL: $2,908,375
85% SOLD BY LOT | 112% HAMMER ABOVE LOW ESTIMATE
The Old Masters Part II sale achieved a total of $2,908,375 and was 85% sold by lot and 112% hammer above low estimate. Leading the sale was a white marble figure of a youth, possibly Paris or Ganymede attributed to Rudolf Schadow which totaled $375,000 above the estimate of $40,000-60,000. Other top lots which exceeded their estimates include An extensive landscape with a town along a river and Samson and the lion in the foreground by the circle of Lucas Gassel, which sold for $225,000 and a German bronze Aquamanile possibly 13th Century which realized $112,500. Browse sale results here.
The Kagan Collection
8-23 April 2021
TOTAL: $240,625
The top lot of the Kagan Collection was Portraits of Jean-François Heurtier and Marie-Victorie Heurtier in Profile by Sophie Regnault which achieved $106,250, above the estimate of $15,000-25,000. Additional top lots include The infant Moses casting the Pharaoh’s crown to the ground by Felice Giani, and Iris carrying the waters of the River Styx to Olympus attributed to Guy Head, both of which sold for $27,500. Browse sale results here.
Fine Printed and Manuscript Americana
8-22 April 2021
TOTAL: $2,102,500
The top lot of the Fine Printed and Manuscript Americana sale was a rare 1776 broadside printing of The Declaration of Independence with prestigious provenance that was previously owned by both Thomas Streeter and Philip Sang which sold for $930,000. Other top lots include a first public printing of The U.S. Constitution in the 19 September 1787 issue of the Pennsylvania Packet, printed by Dunlap & Claypoole and a letter by George Washington eloquently reflecting on his career and his final retirement from public life, both of which achieved $125,000. Additional notable lots include a 1781 letter from George Washington to General Rochambeau with the body of the letter in the hand of Alexander Hamilton as well as a letter by Benjamin Franklin on the French recognition of American independence, which each sold for $75,000. Browse sale results here.
