A message from Bonnie Brennan, Chief Executive Officer |
 | | | Piet Mondrian (1872–1944), Composition III (Komposition No.XIII), 1920
Estimate: £20,000,000–30,000,000 / US$27,000,000–40,000,000
20th/21st Century Evening Sale
London, 14 October | |
Dear Friends,
Why do people collect?
It is one of the questions I am asked most often.
Over the years, I have come to believe that the answer is deeply personal. The collectors I have had the privilege to know often find in their collections a lasting source of joy, inspiration and discovery that enriches their everyday lives. Great collections are not simply accumulations of objects. They reflect curiosity, passion, memory and a desire to live surrounded by beauty and ideas.
Beyond the headlines
Those of us fortunate enough to work in the art market often have a front-row seat to some of the most exciting moments in collecting, as passionate collectors compete for great masterpieces. Yet the joy of collecting is not confined to the top end of the market.
What continues to encourage me is seeing that same enthusiasm, curiosity and engagement across every category of our business, in every region and at price points that rarely make the headlines. To me, that is a powerful reminder that the privilege of living with and caring for great art and objects continues to resonate with established collectors and is increasingly being embraced by new audiences and the next generation. | |
 | | | A superb and very rare carved emerald-green jadeite 'taotie' snuff bottle
Late Qianlong period
Estimate: HK$3,500,000–5,500,000 / US$450,000–700,000
The Ai Lian Tang Collection – Gems of the Imperial Capital
Hong Kong, 29 October | |
Treasures to inspire and delight
One of the great privileges of my role is having an early look at many of the remarkable works and collections that come through Christie’s before they are shared with the world. I would like to highlight a few that particularly resonated with me from our upcoming season.
From the Ai Lian Tang Collection, to be offered in Hong Kong this October, comes a beautiful jadeite snuff bottle from the late Qianlong period. The luminous emerald-green jadeite, intricate carving and pink tourmaline stopper combine to create an object of extraordinary refinement. At just 5.5cm in height, it is a wonderful reminder that greatness in collecting is not always measured by scale.
Before Asian Art Week in Hong Kong, our 20th/21st Century sales will take place in London. Among the highlights is Piet Mondrian’s Composition III (Komposition No.XIII), one of the rarest works by the artist ever to come to market. The painting is one of just eight landmark works Mondrian created in 1920, five of which are now held in museum collections. | |
 | | | Francis Bacon (1909–1992), Figure in Movement, 1978
Estimate: £14,000,000–18,000,000 / US$19,000,000–24,000,000
Monsoon: The Peter Simon Collection
London, 14 October
© 2026 The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS | |
Collections remain at the heart of Christie’s, and in London we will offer one of Britain’s most important modern and contemporary art collections, assembled over many years by Peter Simon, founder of the Monsoon fashion brand. The collection reflects decades of curiosity, conviction and thoughtful collecting. Among its highlights is one of Francis Bacon’s finest single-panel works, distinguished by its suspended figure and luminous, dramatic palette. | |
 | | | Claude Monet (1840–1926), Bord des falaises à Pourville, 1882
Estimate: €11,000,000–15,000,000 / US$13,000,000–17,000,000
Durand-Ruel, Generations of Vision
Paris, 22 October | |
Then to Paris for one of Claude Monet’s most remarkable depictions of the Normandy coast, Bord des falaises à Pourville, offered from the personal collection of his dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel.
Painted in 1882, this large-scale work is one of the paintings this family chose to live with. Through them, we gain a deeper appreciation for the passion, vision and commitment that helped shape the history of modern art. | |
 | | | An Art Deco enamel, mother-of-pearl and diamond vanity case by Marchak and Makowsky
Estimate: CHF25,000–40,000 / US$30,000–50,000
Exceptional Jewels & Objects of Elegance: A Connoisseur's Collection - Part I
Geneva, 10 November | |
In November, our Luxury Marquee Week sales will take place in Geneva.
Choosing just one piece to highlight was almost impossible, but the remarkable detail of this Art Deco vanity case immediately caught my eye. The Geneva sales will feature many spectacular jewels and objects that will undoubtedly command attention, and I wanted to spotlight something that celebrates the artistry of jewellers, goldsmiths and silversmiths working at the height of their craft.
Exciting new additions to the calendar | |
 | | | Paul Guiragossian (1926–1993), Noces (Wedding), 1958–59
Estimate: US$300,000–500,000
MAWASIM: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art
Abu Dhabi, 1 November | |
Marking twenty years since our first auction in the UAE, we are bringing a special sale to Abu Dhabi ahead of the opening of the Guggenheim. Since our first sale in Dubai in 2006, we have been privileged to play a role in expanding international recognition of artists from the region and supporting the evolution of this vibrant category.
For automotive enthusiasts, Gooding Christie’s will serve as the official auction house for Rétromobile’s US debut in New York this November. Among the early highlights is a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider, first owned by Hollywood icon and legendary car enthusiast Steve McQueen. It is the sixth of only ten examples built and one of just two originally finished in Blu Sera (Evening Blue). There will also be over 70 motorcycles from the collection of Billy Joel including a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, gifted to him by Madison Square Garden. | |
 | | | A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider, first owned by Steve McQueen
Estimate: US$15,000,000–20,000,000
The Javits Center, New York, 20–21 November | |
We take great pride in sharing the stories of extraordinary collectors.
This November in New York, we will present the collection of Clive Davis, the legendary music executive best known for discovering and championing many of the defining musical artists of our time. Clive also brought the same passion, curiosity and discerning eye to collecting art.
His collection will be offered alongside works from The Collection of Antonio Homem Sonnabend, with works also to be offered in Paris, and selections from the collection of Herbert Lust, the renowned collector, scholar and longtime champion of post-war and contemporary art. Together, these collections remind us that every great collection tells a story. They reflect the passion, connoisseurship, curiosity and conviction that sit at the heart of collecting itself. | |
 | | | Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997), Large Spool, 1963
Estimate on request
21st Century Evening Sale, New York, 19 November 2026
© 2026 Estate of Roy Lichtenstein, DACS | |
And finally
We also recognise the responsibility that comes with leadership and the importance of using our platform to make a positive contribution beyond the saleroom. That means ensuring our commercial integrity is matched by the way we operate our business, support arts and culture through Christie’s Fund for the Arts and contribute to a stronger cultural ecosystem more broadly.
In the coming month, Christie’s Education will launch a series of free-to-view videos designed to provide practical advice and guidance for emerging artists.
We will also offer two works in our London 20th/21st Century sale to benefit Artists for Climate Action. We are proud of the progress we are making while recognizing that there is always more to do.
On behalf of everyone at Christie’s, thank you for your passion, trust and engagement. The relationships we build with collectors are at the heart of what makes this work so rewarding, and we are grateful to share this journey with you. As we look ahead to the remainder of the season, we do so with excitement and optimism.
See you in the galleries, | |
 | |  Bonnie Brennan
Chief Executive Officer |
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We will also offer two works in our London 20th/21st Century sale to benefit Artists for Climate Action.
ReplyDeleteW t F is this... some "artist" will spend the money... the climate doesn't have a bank account