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Christie's
Recreation in 1900 London: Christie's Auction HouseAntiques from London on eBay19 Jan 2012 at 3:07am  US $522.01End Date: Friday May-18-2012 2:12:45 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $522.01 Buy it now | Add to watch list Sotheby's London Modern & Contemporary Design 2008 31 Oct 2009 at 8:08am  US $24.00End Date: Friday May-18-2012 6:13:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $24.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list Arthur H. Beavan had this to say, in Imperial London, first published in 1901, about Christie's: No. 8, King Street, St James', is a fashionable and delightful lounge, and to a lover of art or a collector of pictures and "rarities," a never-failing pleasure, there being always something new or beautiful in its galleries that are often better worth seeing than places where an entrance-fee has to be paid. Christie's may be called the centre of a square, roughly outlined by Piccadilly, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, and St James' Street - the region of art-shops.The original Christie was an auctioneer who, about the latter half of the eighteenth century, founded the famous house in Pall Mall, and in and out of whose premises went all the celebrities and virtuosos of the day; amongst them, Lord Chesterfield, who became Christie's patron and staunch friend. The firm then moved to King Street, into old-fashioned premises that were afterwards pulled down and rebuilt in the present palatial style. Pictures are, of course, the chief art objects disposed of at Christie's, and it is not uncommon during a successful season, for one single collection, divided into comparatively few lots, to realize forty or fifty thousand pounds.At intervals, the contents of historical private galleries are put up here for sale, and then the greatest excitement prevails and competition is keen. Almost every kind of art treasure and curio finds its way to Christie's; tapestry, which fetches high prices, a panel of old Gobelin measuring 15 feet by 12 feet, having realized 600 guineas; old lace and oriental embroideries, etc., fetching very large sums, £840 having been given once for an old Persian silk carpet; old arms and armour, costly things to buy, a single rapier of the sixteenth century having been sold for £370, and a tournament helmet for £300. The jewellery sales are invariably crowded; one of the most sensational of late being that of the Marlborough gems, which realized £35,000, three cameos alone going for £9400. But extraordinary prices are recorded for old silver, as in March last, when a set of James I Apostle spoons from Swettenham Hall, Cheshire, fetched £1060. Antique furniture fetches large sums, and so does porcelain, £2900 - almost a record price - having been given for a pair of old Chelsea vases and covers. Exceptionally interesting old snuff boxes are sometimes sold at Christie's, having formerly belonged to Royal or historical personages. Much-prized relics turn up occasionally at these rooms; one recalls a beautifully-designed jewel-casket of Catherine de Medici, and the veritable lock and key of the Star Chamber, which was abolished by Act of the Long Parliament in 1641. The lock is a handsome piece of brazier's work, and the steel key elaborately chased and polished. These two curios belonged to Charles II, and ultimately found their way to Leasowe Castle, Cheshire, and were sold at Christie's, after some keen competition, for 155 guineas. Next: Fashionable London in 1900: Hotels |
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