Christie’s auction house Christie’s auction house concluded its two-part Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art auction Wednesday evening. The auction house announced sales totaled $6,402,825, against a pre-sale high estimate of $6.1 million. The sales were 92 percent sold by value.
The highlight of Wednesday evening’s action was the $46,300 raised during the sale of seven lots for the World Food Programme.
The total sales for the second part of the auction were $2,386,525; for the first part, held Tuesday evening, totals were $4,016,300.
“The combined total for this, our 12th season in the Middle East, is an encouraging indication of the continuing maturity and long term strength within this market,” said Michael Jeha, managing director of Christie’s Middle East and head of sale. “Tonight the saleroom was full and bidding was brisk. Much of this participation in the sale came from bidders in the room and this contributed to the lively atmosphere from collectors of all ages.
“Our part II sale is still in its infancy,” he continued, “this is only the second time we have used this format which is followed in Christie’s other international sale centers. The strong selling rate tonight of 93 percent shows that this was the right decision and the market is ready for this next step.
“It is really encouraging to see this market continue to flourish and to encourage the next generation of artists and bidders. About a fifth of the artists represented in the part II sale tonight were being sold at auction for the first time and were under 35.”
The highlight of the first part of the auction was “Marsa Matrouh,” by Alexandria-born Mahmoud Saïd, which sold for $602,500 -- double its estimate. In addition, a work by Iraq-born Ahmed Alsoudani sold for $386,500.
The last lot in the sale was a work created just the day before, in front of an audience by the Tunisian artist Nja Mahdaoui and four young Emiratis. It sold for $50,000 to benefit the Noor Dubai Foundation.
A work by Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy (1915-1994), one of two works sold by the North Carolina Museum of Art to benefit the Museum’s acquisition fund, sold for $278,500 -- well above the $80,000-120,000 estimate and establishing a new world auction record for the artist.
The audience applauded when “In Transit V,” by Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem’s (b. 1973) sold for $116,500, the second highest price for the artist at auction.
“And it was my life that was flowing slowly...,” a portrait by the celebrated Turkish artist Azade K?ker, (b.1949), sold for $86,500. A painting of Marilyn Monroe by Murat Pulat fetched $56,250, setting a new record for the artist