Christie's Middle Eastern Art Online Sale Surpasses Estimates at £2.63M

Christie's Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art online auction, closing June 16, achieved £2,631,694 ($3,036,198.53), with 98% sold by lot and 100% by value. Top lot was Saliba Douaihy's 'Untitled (Wadi Qannoubine series)' at £165,100, more than double its £70,000 high estimate. Mohamed Melehi's '64 Quadrattini' sold for £152,400 against a £100,000 high estimate. Vera Tamari's 'Togetherness' achieved £53,340, over ten times its £5,000 high estimate. A 'Gulf Now' section highlighted artists from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Head of Sale Marie-Claire Thijsen noted continued collector commitment despite regional challenges, citing growing international appreciation through museum exhibitions and biennials.