Christie’s final auctions to top $5 million
Published April 10th, 2006
The first of two final auctions by closing Australian art auctioneer Christie’s will be held in Melbourne on Monday with last sales expected to top $5 million.
The auctions, at 6.30pm and 2pm Tuesday, will feature 320 Australian, international and contemporary works.
Christie’s is closing its Australian sales operations after more than 35 years to focus on the more lucrative Asian market.
Paintings director Jon Dwyer said more than 300 people were expected to attend the auctions, which feature a “who’s who” of Australian art.
“We’ve had a fabulous viewing here in Melbourne, it’s been one of the best attended viewings,” Mr Dwyer said.
“It’s a good group to go out with, it’s really the who’s who of Australian art.
“We want to go out on a very positive and a very up-beat note and I’m sure that will happen tonight.”
Mr Dwyer said Christie’s was expecting records to be broken and sales over the two days to top $5 million.
The collection draws on the works of 180 Australian artists.
