Antiquities

The Antiquities and Ancient Jewelry sales achieved a combined total of $9,607,688/£5,956,767/€7,397,920 and the top lot was a Roman marble portrait bust of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, circa 170-180 A.D., realizing $ 2,042,500/£1,266,350 /€1,572,725.

G. Max Bernheimer, International Department Head, and Molly Morse Limmer, Head of Antiquities, New York, said: “Property from a Distinguished Private Collection, which included the glorious portrait bust of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, led the day, attracting multiple bidders throughout the globe.  The collection sold for a phenomenal $3.1 million, which was 195% of the pre-sale low estimate, with Marcus achieving a stellar $2 million.  Healthy prices were achieved for Greek vases and Classical marbles, and the top-ten works showed that all sectors of the market continue to perform well.  An Egyptian bronze cat, thought to be the largest surviving example, achieved $482,500, more than double its pre-sale estimate, and an Iranian terracotta female figure from the Zuckerman Collection sold for $230,500, over 10 times its estimate.  The 14th annual Ancient Jewelry sale contributed two lots to the top ten, including an important Byzantine gold suite and an exceptional massive Scythian gold torque.  Both sales were the culmination of another tremendous year for Christie’s worldwide Antiquities department, confirming our position as the world leader for ancient art at auction.”