"Before I offer the last two lots of the auction and as we draw a veil on what has been a really extraordinary journey here at Christie’s South Kensington, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a few words.
"I’ll try to keep my composure!
"Firstly, on behalf of Christie’s I’d like to say a really enormous thank you to the many thousands of our clients who have helped make CSK such a unique and vibrant hub of the art and collectables market over the past 42 years.
"So many of you both private individuals and dealers have told me that their first venture into the art and antiques market was made here in our SW7 saleroom.
"Christie’s South Kensington was totally unique in the marketplace. Many of our competitors tried to replicate it but none of them really came close and indeed there are few if any of our competitors – some of whom are here in the room today – I think would argue with me...I’m not going to get heckled!
"The chemistry was unique, a recipe concocted from the ideal location here in the heart of our UK client base, coupled with the brand created 251 years ago by our extraordinary founder James Christie; the timing of CSK’s foundation in an era when the interest in the art and collectables market was beginning to explode; and, lastly but by no means least, the people.
"You are wonderful clients. And, of course, the incredibly talented and dedicated staff of CSK – an amazingly tight family and a testament to that are you all here today. And the former colleagues who have also gathered this afternoon to witness the end of a really special era. And to say a very fond farewell to a very dear old friend.
"CSK was also known for its innovation. I could list numerous initiatives that were pioneered here at CSK that have gone to be adopted in Christie’s salerooms across the world and indeed by our competitors. Not least of those innovations is this auction format today, our Interiors sale, a model of sale that has been copied globally and which will now in fact migrate to our St James’s saleroom in a slightly more refined format [audience laughs]…I say nothing.
"We were innovators here at CSK because we knew we needed to stay ahead of the game to survive in an ever evolving and competitive market. Some of the business decisions along the way weren’t easy and in some cases required a level of sacrifice such as the demise of the wonderful collectables department here at South Kensington in the early 2000s and I see people like Michael Pritchard at the back there who ran that department and that was a very sad time too.
"So here we are today enduring the ultimate sacrifice. Many including myself have struggled to come to terms with the decision. However, I always knew that Christie’s came first and it is always greater than any one person or any group of individuals.
"The necessity to secure the brand that James Christie created all those years ago always takes precedence. The business here may cease [pauses]… Christie’s digital platform will to a degree perhaps fill the CSK vacuum but the wonderful memories and the friendships will live long in the hearts of all who were touched by the magic of CSK…[pauses]…I’m sorry…[prolonged applause breaks out].
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you again."
