Having been involved at all levels of the art and antiques business, from appraisals to auctioneering, Lord Hindlip is regarded as one of Britain’s best auctioneers. Among the most recent auctions overseen by him were the Works of Art from Longleat, which raised over £25m for a maintenance fund, and Dresses from the Collection of the Princess of Wales. He still holds a great many firsts and records in auction history, including Christie’s first auction in France, the sale of the Badminton Cabinet in 1990 for £5.8m (the highest price paid at auction for any piece of furniture or applied work of art), and the largest auction total ever, of more than £76m for the Impressionist and Modern Art sale in 1989.
Of his impending retirement, Lord Hindlip said, “Having served Christie’s for 40 years... it is time for a change. I have enjoyed so much of the past 40 years, and leave Christie’s with many happy memories.”
His role will be shared among chief executive Edward Dolman and Christie’s regional chairmen around the world. Meetings of the International Board will be chaired by the chief executive of Artemis SA, Madame Patricia Barbizet.
Hindlip announces his retirement 40 years to the day after joining Christie’s
On October 1 – 40 years to the day since he first joined Christie’s to work at their front desk – the company’s international chairman Lord Hindlip, 62, announced his retirement, effective from December 31.
