Christie’s 246

Art stories to feed the mind and soul



Strong 20th Century sales in Hong Kong and New York send auction records tumbling



Flower power: why the female pioneers of botanical drawings could take more risks than men


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Made for the afterlife: a pair of camels that have kept each other company for over 1,000 years



Why the third generation of Pre-Raphaelite painters are the best route to starting your collection



‘Magical windows’ — gorgeous glimpses of bygone worlds found in illuminated manuscripts



Whisky? Rum? Grappa? A guide to the finest rare spirits for replenishing your drinks cabinet


More stories

Editor’s picks





Dennis Hopper photographed fellow film stars from Jane Fonda to John Wayne in the 1960s. But, as he later said, ‘The only people that I really found comfortable being photographed were artists.’ In 2009, working from a 1964 shot of Roy Lichtenstein, he painted this unusually lifelike large-scale oil on canvas

Estimate: $15,000-20,000
until 15 December, Online






With its white gold case and diamond-set bezel, and a dial featuring two blue and green enamel parrots on a branch amid lush foliage, this Cartier watch has an alluringly breezy, tropical feel — and is all the more precious for being one of a limited edition of only 40

Estimate: $30,000-50,000
until 10 December, Online






From the collection of music legend Sir Rod Stewart comes The Escape, a painting described by its previous owner, Sir David Scott, as depicting ‘a typical worthless Victorian ne’er-do-well’ and his innocent young wife ‘making the traditional escape to the Continent (Calais as a rule)’ to flee his creditors

Estimate: £10,000-15,000
until 10 December, Online






Startlingly modern for an object dating from around 1880, this rare toast rack — made in Sheffield by James Dixon & Sons — was designed by Christopher Dresser (1834-1904), whose hugely influential work was informed by his travels in Japan. Only three examples of this model are known to exist

Estimate: $50,000-70,000
11 December, New York










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Lady Maria Compton, Marchioness of Northampton (1766-1843), and others, an album of 69 botanical drawings by various hands. Offered in 300 Years of British Drawings, until 8 December 2020, Online // John Byam Liston Shaw (1872-1919), The Queen of Hearts (detail). Oil on canvas. Estimate: £250,000-350,000. Offered in The Joe Setton Collection: from Pre-Raphaelites to Last Romantics on 10 December 2020 at Christie’s in London

 

I do NOT understand the INSANITY of the prices supposedly being realized at Christie's.....I guess nor will I ever!!!! They are most DEFINITELY NOT feeding MY Mind & Soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I’m guessing Russian and/or Chinese billionaires have something to do with it. If had billions I’d be “all over” these auctions! If expensive art makes these folks happy then money can buy happiness to some extent.

 

AND what you say is perfectly fine!!! IMHO, though, to me, some doesn't even register as "art"............BUT, to each his own!!!

 

always good articles.
the flower ones are beautiful - a bit of patriotism forgiven about Merian...
very good classification about the pre-Raphs. although the remark about starting to invest only now is due to business.