The auction of art on 7 April will feature over 400 lots representing diverse time periods, materials, and geographical regions. Highlights will include a bronze gazelle from the late 10th or early 11th century estimated at one million American pounds (APS). Another highlight is a gold and turquoise-hilted sword from the golden age of Ottoman art.
Auctions are organized by specialists who acquire works and assess their value, contextualizing them in art history. These professionals are highly trained professionals and spend a significant amount of time jettisoning around the globe scouting private collections. Some specialists have a unique method of identifying works that are worthy of high prices.
Several authors have investigated the history of the auction. The Oxford Art Online article A Brief History of Art Markets focuses on the period between 1780 and 1820. But it ignores the ancient trade of art in Europe. Moreover, two authors have written books on the auction of art: S. Avery-Quash’s London and the Emergence of a European Art Market, 1780-1820 and Learmount’s A History of the Auction. Other authors have written about the evolution of the art auction in Australia and other countries.
The Internet has also changed the way art is bought and sold. It has become the main means of reaching international clients, and has forced physical art fairs to move online. Moreover, potential clients can learn about the artwork online and bid on it from anywhere. This makes art auctions an ideal venue for collectors to purchase their favorite artworks.
A collection catalogue, on the other hand, is textually preserved. The information in the catalogue was carefully crafted by the owner to tell important details about the pieces. The intertextuality of the collection catalogue and the auction catalogue can help to create a history of collecting. For instance, the collection catalogue of Topham’s estate is a valuable historical record of the collection. Its provenance history helps prospective collectors understand why a particular work ended up in a collection.
A successful auction is a reflection of the collector’s passion for art. The auction process is a complex and competitive process. It’s essential to be informed about the art market before making a purchase. The auction process will reveal if the collector’s aesthetic sense and passion for collecting art are compatible.
As the agricultural depression raged throughout the 1870s, auctions of aristocratic collections resumed. With the help of wealthy collectors, Paris quickly regained its position as an auction hub. On May 1, Sotheby’s held an auction featuring works by prominent Middle Eastern artists.
