3 min read · 11 Apr 2024
Opus 8, Construction mécanique ou L’Usine de papiers peints by Victor Servranckx sold for $437,600. Image courtesy of Christie's
A work by Victor Servranckx was the headline sale at Christie's 'Art Impressionniste & Moderne' auction on April 10 in Paris.
The star lot was: Victor Servranckx, Opus 8, Construction mécanique ou L’Usine de papiers peints (1922), which sold for $437,600, 300% above its $108,400 low estimate. This is an auction record for the Belgian artist. It has been traded twice in the past.
The outperformer sold for 900% above its low estimate. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Cavalier (recto); Manœuvre militaire et études de cheval (verso) (Undated), sold for $10,900 ($1,084 low estimate). It has been traded once in the past.
Breakdown of results against auction house estimates that are disclosed
No sales had a guarantee.
26 works were bought-in, including: Marc Chagall, Fête du village pour les mariés (recto); Le peintre et son couple (verso) (1983), estimated at $238,500 (low) to $303,600 (high). It has been traded twice in the past.
5 works were withdrawn before the sale, including: Maurice Denis, Portrait de Marthe et Maurice (1896) estimated at $216,800 (low) to $325,200 (high).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Withdrawn: This happens when a seller decides, for whatever reason, to withdraw a work before the bidding begins.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.