Christie’s, the world’s leading fine arts auctioneer, was founded in London in 1766 by James Christie. Conducting some of the most important auctions in the world with over 600 sales annually, Christie’s showcases over 80 categories of auction items including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photography, wine, fine furniture, ceramics, porcelain, silver, automobiles, memorabilia, and other collectibles. The name alone speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Christie’s holds many world auction records including one of the highest–priced works of art ever sold at auction –Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of Dr. Gachet, which sold in May 1990 for $82,500,000.
Over the course of more than two centuries, Christie’s has grown into an international organization of 84 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai and Hong Kong. Christie’s is the world’s leading art business with global auction sales in 2007 that totaled $6.3 billion, which marks the highest total in art auction history. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging markets such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Dubai, Mumbai and Russia.
Christie’s Live™ is an online service that allows you to watch and bid live on auctions being held in Christie’s salerooms worldwide. It is an exciting way to acquire objects that would normally be difficult to obtain in conventional attendance auctions. You will see and hear the auctioneer and see the current lot – in real time – as the auction is in progress.