3 min read · 07 Nov 2024
Baiser, grand modèle, 1889 by Auguste Rodin sold for $3.44m. Image courtesy of Christie's
A work by Auguste Rodin was the headline sale at Christie's 'Impressionist and Modern Art Day Sale' on November 20 in New York.
The star lot was: Auguste Rodin, Baiser, grand modèle, 1889 (2010), which sold for $3.44m, 14% above its $3m low estimate. It has been traded once in the past.
The outperformer sold for 332% above its low estimate. Emmanuel Mane-Katz, Deux étudiants (1926), sold for $30,200 ($7,000 low estimate). It has been traded twice in the past.
Breakdown of results against auction house estimates that are disclosed
2 works were backed by guarantees, including: Marc Chagall, Acrobates et musicien au ciel mauve (1954). It sold for $529,200, 76% above its $300,000 low estimate.. It has been traded twice in the past.
31 works were bought-in, including: Fernand Leger, Composition aux trois fleurs (1938), estimated at $600,000 (low) to $800,000 (high). It has been traded 3 times in the past.
3 works were withdrawn before the sale, including: Fernand Leger, Composition au veston (1934) estimated at $450,000 (low) to $650,000 (high).
All results include the fees and premiums added to the price of a work of art when the auctioneer's hammer falls. Sale prices are compared to the auction house’s low estimate, which do not include premiums.
Guarantees: Sometimes an auction house guarantees to pay a seller for a work, regardless of whether the bidding reaches the reserve price, a figure that is typically confidential.
Bought-in: If there are no bids for a work, or if bidding falls short of the reserve price, the lot is unsold or “bought-in”.
Withdrawn: This happens when a seller decides, for whatever reason, to withdraw a work before the bidding begins.
Premiums: Typically a sliding-scale of charges paid in addition to the hammer price by the buyer, plus any other fees.