Christie's

The traditional pre-Christmas Old Masters auctions in London were something of a mixed bag this year.

Four lots between them raised $1.5m including premiums to rack up more than half the total at an online sale in New York.

Christie’s is moving its Asian art sales from London to Paris and Hong Kong from next year.

In November 2008, Christie’s held a sale in London of Chinese works of art that included lots from the collection of Baron (1894-1991) and Baroness von Oertzen (1908-2007). The couple, who had settled in South Africa after the Second World War, acquired a deep knowledge of Chinese art and a large and varied collection, buying from the 1960s onwards.

This Cambodian Khmer carved stone statue of a male divinity is one of the highlights of the Asian Art sale at Christie’s in Paris on December 10.

Christie’s has axed its stand-alone sales of topographical pictures and will incorporate the specialist department into the 19th century picture department based in London. Consignments in this area will now be offered in auctions in the wider category.

Christie’s holds its Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits sale in London on December 11.

The latest evening sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary art held at Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9 buyer’s premium + 1% overhead premium) in New York produced very high-selling rates but they were somewhat slimmer affairs than the normal run of sales in this category.

Christie’s is staging a sale of cricketing memorabilia from the collection of Sir Geoffrey Boycott in a timed online sale that closes on November 16.

Following on from the nominees for the best Indian and Islamic object (published in ATG No 2463), an equivalent shortlist has been announced for pieces in the East Asian category.

Highly influential three-volume set on maths takes a record £90,000 sum in London

Christie’s has changed its buyer’s premium levels this autumn – creating clear air between its fee structure and those used at Sotheby’s and Bonhams.

A selection of stand-out Islamic & Indian auction results.

A wealth of Indian and Islamic art and artefacts are available to view and buy in late October from both participants at Asian Art in London and auction houses whose sales are timed to coincide with the festival.

Sotheby’s has opened a new shop in its Bond Street galleries retailing art, design and luxury items.