SIR EDWARD COLEY BURNE-JONES, BT., A.R.A., R.W.S. (1833–1898) Love among the Ruins (1870– 1873). ( SOLD FOR A RECORD £14.8 MILLION IN LONDON LAST WEEK.
Christie’s achieved record sales of £2.4 billion in the first six months of 2013. This is an increase of 9% on the same period last year. There was a 15% growth in buyers from Asia and online initiatives continue to attract new business. No less than 46% of buyers at online only sales are new to Christie’s. Bidders came from 128 countries and 10% of those were new clients. The sales figure includes private sales of £465.2 million, up 13% on the same period last year.
During the first six months Christie’s sold 422 works at auction for more than $1 million and 34 for over $10 million. The strongest increase in selling rates was for works between $5,000 and $30,000 and works over $1 million. Post War and Contemporary art was the strongest category with increased demand at every level. The Post War and Contemporary auction in New York on May 15 brought in $495 million and was the most valuable art auction ever held.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 4, 2013)