Sotheby's

Sotheby’s edged ahead of Christie’s in terms of annual turnover in 2020, with private and online sales helping both firms offset declines in totals from live auctions.

Two Diego Giacometti (1902-85) bronze tables from an ‘important collection’ in Sydney appeared in a Paris auction after being consigned via an Australian saleroom.

The traditional pre-Christmas Old Masters auctions in London were something of a mixed bag this year.

Letter informs George Washington of his election to the presidency.

A total of £9.23m was raised from the latest dedicated sales of Modern British art at Sotheby’s and Bonhams in London.

Sotheby’s (26/21/14.9% buyer’s premium) Important Chinese Art sale on November 4 included two spectacular Qing dragon dishes – both consigned from continental European sources and both in near-perfect condition.

Several decades on from the last of the five major auctions Sotheby’s held to disperse items from the remarkable collections of American historical documents and letters formed by Philip (1902-75) and Elsie Sang (1906-97), a further selection appeared at Sotheby’s New York (26/20/13.9%).

A painting by the celebrated landscape painter Joseph Vernet (1714-89) depicting Tivoli near Rome which has not been seen since the 19th century is making an appearance in Sotheby’s Paris rooms on December 3.

One of the highlights of Sotheby’s Asian works of art sale in Paris on December 11 will be this jade, zitan and boxwood panel from the Qianlong period.

The oldest bottle released from The Macallan Distillery – and the oldest age statement whisky ever offered at auction – has sold for a premium-inclusive £756,400 in London.

The latest evening sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary art held at Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9 buyer’s premium + 1% overhead premium) in New York produced very high-selling rates but they were somewhat slimmer affairs than the normal run of sales in this category.

Following on from the nominees for the best Indian and Islamic object (published in ATG No 2463), an equivalent shortlist has been announced for pieces in the East Asian category.

One of two book sales held by Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) presented a single-owner collection billed as The Library of Greek Bibliophile.

Christie’s has changed its buyer’s premium levels this autumn – creating clear air between its fee structure and those used at Sotheby’s and Bonhams.

MADAM – I note that Sotheby’s will be opening a retail shop at their Bond Street premises (News, ATG No 2462).

A wealth of Indian and Islamic art and artefacts are available to view and buy in late October from both participants at Asian Art in London and auction houses whose sales are timed to coincide with the festival.