Old Masters Sales Rise as New Collectors Enter Market
In London, the evening sales of Old Masters at Christie’s and Sotheby’s totaled around $102 million, reflecting an increase of nearly 10% compared to last year’s figures. This comes on the heels of a week that saw $560 million in modern and contemporary auctions. While the modern and contemporary market shows signs of recovery, the Old Masters category is drawing in a fresh group of collectors motivated by exploration. Furthermore, an eBay seller was discovered peddling counterfeit pieces linked to the Chicago Imagists, and the Manhattan district attorney’s office confiscated numerous ancient artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Key facts
- Christie’s and Sotheby’s Old Masters evening sales in London totaled about $102 million.
- The sales were up nearly 10% from the same period last year.
- A $560 million week of modern and contemporary auctions preceded the Old Masters sales.
- Modern and contemporary market is recovering, while Old Masters is fueled by discovery.
- A new wave of collectors is entering the Old Masters category.
- An eBay seller was caught peddling fake works attributed to Chicago Imagists.
- The Manhattan district attorney’s office seized dozens of ancient artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Entities
Artists
- Jan van Huysum
Institutions
- Christie's
- Sotheby's
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Artnet News
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Manhattan
- New York
- United States