Christie's first auction in mainland China to take place in Shanghai on 26th September

KOLKATA: Christie's first auction in mainland China will be taking place in Shanghai on the 26th of September 2013 at Jing An Shangri-La Hotel. A three-day cultural gala will be held from September 24 to 26. Christie's inaugural auction is a celebration of the great artistic traditions of both East and West.

This curated auction includes 42 works in many collecting fields, from Asian Contemporary to European Modern Masters and American Post-War and Contemporary, to jewelry, watches, wine and decorative arts, with total estimates of RMB 100 million/USD 16 million.

Christie's will also host private sale exhibitions featuring art pieces from different categories, including Chinese Contemporary Ink, Impressionist & Modern Art, Post-War and Contemporary, and Jewelry. Several masterpiece exhibitions will also be organized during this period.

Christie's Education will also play a key part during Christie's Shanghai inaugural auction. A series of lectures have been arranged, covering key topics related to artists and art markets. Following a successful launch in Fall 2012, Christie's Art Forum will present three art sessions at the Shanghai auction, inviting global artists and collectors to engage in a dialogue on art and collection, and to discuss the art market's development, trends and future challenges and opportunities.

Two online sales-Hong Kong Jewels and Andy Warhol @ Christie's: China Online Only Sale-will be held from September 19 to October 3 and from September 24 to October 4, respectively.

Steven P. Murphy, chief executive officer of Christie's says, ""Christie's is honoured to be hosting a week of activities in Shanghai for art collectors and enthusiasts to enjoy. Our events in Shanghai go far beyond a beautifully curated auction which lends a fascinating dialogue between arts and cultures of the world. We will have a concurrent online sale. We will have private sale and masterpiece exhibitions. There will be three keynote Christie's Art Forums where we discuss matters in the art market today.

""So in addition to offering the gala auction, we are hoping to convene anyone who wishes to engage in the wider world of art and culture. And while the events and activity is focused in Shanghai and China, we invite the global art community to join us both in person and virtually via Christies.com as many of the events will be broadcast live from Shanghai. In short, this is Shanghai Christie's invitation to our world.""