Christie's is a British auction house founded by James Christie in 1766. It is one of the oldest and most renowned auction houses in the world. Christie's has been a leader in the art market for over two centuries and has sold some of the most valuable and rare objects.
Early Days of Christie's
James Christie was a highly successful auctioneer who held his first sale in 1766. His first sale was a collection of paintings, which Christie sold to the highest bidder. Christie's quickly gained a reputation for selling high-quality art and antiques.
Christie's became a popular destination for collectors, dealers, and art lovers. The auction house expanded its offerings and began selling furniture, porcelain, silver, and other decorative arts.
Christie's Expands Globally
Christie's expanded its reach by opening offices in New York in 1977, followed by Hong Kong in 1986. Christie's has since opened offices in Paris, Geneva, Dubai, and other cities around the world.
The New York office quickly became one of the busiest auction houses in the world and helped Christie's become a global brand. Christie's auctions became an international event, with collectors and bidders from all over the world participating in the auctions.
Christie's Today
Christie's is still one of the most important auction houses in the world. It has expanded its offerings to include contemporary art, jewelry, wine, and more. Christie's is known for selling some of the most valuable and rare objects, including the record-breaking sale of a Leonardo da Vinci painting for $450 million in 2017.
Christie's has also embraced technology and offers online auctions, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Christie's continues to be a leader in the art market and is a destination for collectors, dealers, and art lovers from around the world.
Conclusion
Christie's has a long and rich history as one of the oldest and most renowned auction houses in the world. From its early days in London to its global expansion, Christie's has been a leader in the art market for over two centuries. Today, Christie's continues to be a destination for collectors, dealers, and art lovers from around the world, and its auctions are international events that attract bidders from all over the globe.