Disappointingly 42% of the lots listed were bought in, which is more than the 25% achieved a year ago at Christie's, or the 35% at the London Christie's Old Masters Evening sale in July 2015. (2)
Even the star lot featured on the cover of the catalogue, Hans Hoffman's "A hare among plants" estimated between 4 and 6 million GBP was bought-in. For the other three lots over 1 million GBP, Han's Memling's "The Virgin Mary Nursing the Christ Child" was withdrawn before auction, Francesco Guardi's "The Island of San Giorgio Maggiore..." did not sell, and Pieter Brueghel II's "The birdtrap" sold at the low estimate price of 1 million GBP.
On average and among sold artworks, Hammer Prices (HP) were 26% higher than Low Estimates (LE). This figure increases to 80% for lots with guarantees, although 1 of the 3 guaranteed lots was bought-in.
The over performer was Bartholomaus Spranger's "The Triumph of Venus", achieving a HP 300% higher than the LE.
|