Sotheby’s, Artcurial, Drouot, Christie’s… The big auction houses reveal the results of their operations for the year 2016 in France. The main lessons, the rare, the exceptional, the parts are little or not known, and objects from collections of beautiful, are gone. And buyers no longer hesitate to bid via the internet platforms. A look back on a year of auction sales.

Traditionally the end of the year is for the auction houses the opportunity to review the results of their activities. As usual, all major structures are pleased of their results. Christie’s leads with a sales amount of 244,6 million euros. In second position we find Sotheby’s with 220 million and then Artcurial with 210.1 million euros. As for the Hotel Drouot, which brings together 75 operators of sales, it shows a result of € 370 million. It should be noted that the auction house Damien Leclère that organizes vacations to Paris and the provinces, to Marseille recorded a dramatic increase of 56 % in one year with a total of 17.1 million euros.

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it is clear that, if progress it may be, there is not really take-off spectacular sales. It is true that the political context (terrorist attacks, Brexit…) and economic incentives to invest in art even if, according to Artcurial, these tragic events have not had a decisive influence on the market.

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Matthieu Lamoure, director of Artcurial Motorcars ‘ provides however a small downside. If it can boast the highest bid registered in France with the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti from the collection of Pierre Bardinon sold in February more than 32 million euros, he recognizes the great collectors English, Brexit forces, have become more cautious.

Several trends have been identified in sales this year, 2016

More than ever, it is a two-tier market. The all-venant, and the good average hard to find a buyer. In contrast, the rare, the exceptional, the parts are little or not known, objects from collections of beautiful, and they were many in 2016, will enough of him.

Seal of the emperor Qianlong (1736-1795), which sold 21 million euros at Pierre Bergé at Drouot.

©Pierre Bergé

buyers are more selective and are looking in all areas the rooms are of high quality. However, they are less numerous, while the demand, global, explodes. This is the reason why, as soon as a batch of significant present, we are witnessing great battles of auction and the auctions often going beyond the high estimates of experts.

an array of James Ensor “skeleton-stopping masks” has reached 7 357 500 euros at Sotheby’s

©Sotheby’s

This research quality explains the importance of world records recorded the place of Paris : 77 for Artcurial, 42 to Christie’s, more than 30 for Sotheby’s and 25 for Drouot.

A headrest Luba of the Congo has reached 2 229 000 euros at Millon-Christie s.

©Millon-Christie’s

Among the highest prices achieved, and on the outside of the Ferrari, we may mention a seal of emperor Qianlong (1736-1795), which sold 21 million euros at Pierre Bergé Drouot, a Saint Cecilia in alabaster, attributed to Gil de Siloé (1440-1501) party for 2 875 000 euros, a headrest Luba of the Congo who has reached 2 229 000 euros at Millon-Christie’s, a painting by James Ensor “skeleton-stopping masks” up to 7 357 500 euro or a great Simon Hantaï “M. a. 4 marian 4 432 500 euros at Sotheby’s, a portrait painted by Francis Bacon sold for a little over 6 million euros at Christie’s or still in the same house, a chinese bronze of Buddha in the Eleventh century sold 13.3 million euros, a plate of Tintin “We walked on the moon” party at Artcurial for 1 553 000 euros…

the Other phenomenon that is amplified. The bidders do not hesitate to buy on the Live. Drouot noted a 32% increase of sales through Drouot Live with 2 200 vacations retransmitted, 75 000 lots sold for a total of 69.3 million euros. At Sotheby’s there are now 13 % of buyers on-line.

Finally, the internationalisation of the market is a reality. Beyond a certain amount in the auction, the buyers are mostly foreigners. In excess of 50 000 euro, and Artcurial estimates that 75 % of the buyers are of foreign nationality.

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considering these results it is difficult to provide trends for the year 2017. But there’s at least a certainty. To make good purchases, the collector shall focus, in all areas, on the finest pieces. It is better to buy less from that too. Thus, it is possible to build a collection that will develop with time.