The continuing international appeal of collecting was demonstrated at Christie’s Old Masters evening sale; The Exceptional Sale 2018 and Thomas Chippendale 300 Years in London on July 5. With registered bidders from 33 countries across five continents the sales realised a total of £45,205,750, bringing the running total for Classic Week sales so far to £51,667,375. The auctions followed global tours of highlights to New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and pre-sale public exhibitions in London. Classic Week sales at Christie’s continue until July 12.
The top lot of the Old Masters sale was Ludovico Carracci’s Portrait of Carlo Alberto Rati Opizzoni in armour which made £5 million. A bronze group of Hercules Overcoming Achelous by Ferdinando Tacca c1640-50 was the top lot of The Exceptional Sale. It made £6.7 million. A pair of George III giltwood torcheres c1773 was the the top lot at the Thomas Chippendale auction. These sold for £488,750.
Ludovico Carracci (Bologna 1555-1619)
Portrait of Carlo Alberto Rati Opizzoni in armour
George III Giltwood Torcheres