Christie’s Old Masters Sale in London Totals $48.7 M. as Collectors Chase Standout Pictures
Christie’s Old Masters Evening Sale in London, a 40-lot auction held Tuesday, totaled £38.9 million ($51.4 million), exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of about £37.5 million (estimates cited as roughly £25 million to £37.5 million, excluding fees). The sale achieved 96% sold by value and 90% by lot, with three works bought in and one withdrawn, including passed lots by the Master of the Oberstenfeld Altarpiece, Thomas Gainsborough, and Canaletto, and a withdrawn portrait by Michiel van Musscher. Jan van Huysum led the auction with two still lifes that both set artist records: a fruit still life sold for £6.52 million ($8.65 million) against a £3 million–£4 million estimate, and a floral still life sold for £5.54 million ($7.35 million) against a £2.5 million–£3.5 million estimate. Christie’s highlighted the pair’s notable provenance in its catalogue, underscoring the market’s continued selectivity and strong demand for top-quality, fresh-to-market pictures.
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