Healthy Contemporary art sales for Christie’s

New world records were set for Henry Darger, Christo, Jim Nutt, Walter Leblanc or Alfonso Ossorio at Christie’s Paris Contemporary art evening and day sales last week.

In total 85% of the lots offered the auction sold, realising €24,910,050 / £19,761,143 / $30,998,066.

Icon 6, realised in 1982 by renowned Jean-Michel Basquiat, dominated the evening sale, achieving €1,777,500 / £1,410,091 / $2,211,921.

“The Contemporary Art team is happy about these very good results,” said Edmond Francey, head of the contemporary art department. “With 11 world records, pieces by Basquiat, Richier or Zao Wou-Ki which sold above a million euros and the active participation of 119 bidders on the Internet through Christie’s LiveTM, Paris proves once again its important place in the contemporary art market.”

He added that collectors have demonstrated their interest in pieces coming from important private collections. As so, 100% of the lots from the Dagny and Jan Runnqvist collection have been acquired, achieving €1,823,275, more than twice its presale estimate.

Moreover, 92% of the pieces coming from an important Belgian collection of Nouveau Réalisme have sold, led by Wrapped Object by Christo which reached €481,500 against an initial estimate of €100,000 to €150,000, and setting a world record for a piece by the artist at auction.

Paul Nyzam, specialist and head of the day sale, added: “The day sale exceeded all expectations as it realised an impressive total of €7,581,650 / £6,014,523 / $9,434,605, making it the best result for a Contemporary Art day sale in Paris since their launch in 2010. This session was led by the exceptional polychrome relief Swiss Model by Jean Tinguely from the collection of Dagny and Jan Runnqvist, selling for €457,500.”