Sotheby's

The world’s most notorious banana sold for $6.2 million in its auction debut last night at #SothebysNewYork. Maurizio Cattelan’s iconoclastic 'Comedian' has captivated the world once again—this time in our salesroom, closing at 6X its estimate of $1 million. ? After over 6 minutes of heated bidding, Jen Hua, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and Chairman of Sotheby's China, placed the winning bid on behalf of Justin Sun, Chinese collector and founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON. ? Sun remarked, “when I first heard about this work back in 2019, I thought it was pure genius. And when I heard it was back on the market, I knew I had to have it. Cattelan’s humour and sense of adventure strike a strong chord with me, and I’m thrilled to now be its proud owner.”

The first Sotheby’s location in Saudi Arabia brings with it the kingdom’s inaugural international auction, taking place in historic Diriyah, home to a UNESCO heritage site. Titled ‘Origins’, the sale on 8 February 2025 will highlight artworks by both Saudi Arabian artists and leading names in the art world alongside the best of luxury—watches, cars, handbags and sports memorabilia. A public exhibition will take place before the auction from 1–8 February, in a week-long celebration of luxury, art and culture. Our first Sotheby’s office in the kingdom will also open in Riyadh’s Al Faisaliah Tower (designed by Norman Foster and famous for being the first skyscraper built in the country). Stay tuned for more! https://bit.ly/3YTBaq5

With almost 700 lots, the Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion | Celebrating 40 Vintages by Domaine Clarence Dillon auction comprises wines directly sourced from the cellars of Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion in Bordeaux and celebrates 40 vintages produced under the ownership of the Dillon family, who acquired the estate in 1983. “The exceptionally rare white wines of La Clarté de Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc are now known and appreciated for their uniqueness and complexity, the world over,” says HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg. “Our second red wine; La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, has become one of the most dependable ambassadors for our estates while being lauded as one of the finest red wines produced in Bordeaux.” Discover more from the sale: https://bit.ly/4hcJSHr

The world’s most notorious banana. Maurizio Cattelan’s iconoclastic ‘Comedian’ will make its auction debut at Sotheby’s in November, with a $1-1.5 million estimate. First unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, the piece has earned its place alongside the most radical artworks of the century, from Duchamp to Warhol. Don’t miss your chance to see the sensation on the #ComedianWorldTour before the banana returns to #SothebysNewYork for the Now & Contemporary Evening Auction. https://lnkd.in/eFibPxxM

It was a?white-glove?(or?"gant blanc") sale at #SothebysParis today for ‘Surrealism and its Legacy.’ Kicking off the inaugural auctions at our new Paris headquarters, lively bidding pushed all 26 lots to total €23M. ? In keeping with tradition, auctioneer Aurélie Vandevoorde was presented with a set of white gloves to commemorate the 100% sell-through achievement.

"The Art of Divorce" was the theme of the first of a new series of thought leadership events, hosted by Sotheby's in London last night. My job as chair was, frankly, made easy by the trio of experts on the panel - Mark Harper, Nicola Wallace and Rachel Reilly - who helped to analyze some of the complicated legal, tactical and valuation questions that arise, in the context of a divorce, when art or other valuable property is in the mix. The next event in this series will have a transatlantic flavo(u)r, as we examine art in the context of US/UK families and their estate planning, on a date early in 2025 TBC. My thanks to Mark, Nicola and Rachel and to everyone who attended last night.

Despite its cultural influence and ubiquity, Surrealism remains a difficult-to-understand genre. Read on for a quick primer on the people and terms you need to know. https://bit.ly/4eIZhgL

Bienvenue! Today, we open the doors to our brand new Paris flagship with its inaugural exhibitions. Located at 83 Faubourg Saint-Honore, previously home to the renowned Bernheim-Jeune gallery, the building sits in the heart of the city’s gallery and luxury district. Opening festivities begin with a week of sales and exhibitions timed to coincide with the international Art Basel fair. Join us to celebrate the centenary of Surrealism with our major auctions, “Surrealism & its Legacy” and “Modernités.” Tour the galleries to discover our inaugural exhibition, “Excellence à la fran?aise,” showcasing masterpieces of French art through the centuries. And visit a special traveling exhibition of works from the New York Sales season in November. Step into Another World: https://bit.ly/3U6AfjE

As Frieze and Basel art fairs ignite both cities, Sotheby's presents "LDN > PAR" - our highest value selling exhibition of Modern & Contemporary art ever staged in Europe (exhibited in both London and Paris). ??? Don't miss this historic showcase bridging the Channel and celebrating the enduring artistic dialogue between two of the world's most inspiring cities. #SothebysLDNPAR #BaselParis #FriezeWeek #Paris #London

The #SothebysNewYork mid-season auctions wrapped up with standout results. The Contemporary Curated sale and the Abrams Family Collection brought in millions, with the average lot value topping $262k. https://bit.ly/4eNtGKA