The Old Master sales are generally hit or miss. It’s the nature of the category, which still behaves more like a trading floor between dealers than a retail channel to collectors. So there’s a much higher tolerance for lower sell-through rates. This season, the pattern seemed to be more pronounced than in the past. Nevertheless, overall sales for this Old Master season in New York were 20 percent higher than last year, when the combined sales of the Old Master works, works on paper, and various collections of art and collectible antiques totaled a little more than $72 million. With the last of the Tavitian sales taking place as I write this, we’re already at more than $86 million. In terms of raw dollars spent, the category isn’t declining. It seems to be behaving just like the rest of the art market, where bidders and buyers start becoming scarce above the million-dollar mark.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Art
May Auction Report: Rational Exuberance
Lifting the Fog on London’s Gallery Scene
Blazing Saddles
A Separate Pace
Condition Report: Sotheby’s Caroline Seabolt & Ashkan Baghestani
Hot Hand: Patrick Bongoy
Closing Time
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Art
The Art Market’s Cut-Your-Loss Bounce
Christie’s Manic Monday
Sotheby’s Day Sales Smoke Signals
Sotheby’s $433 Million Pep Talk
Seven Days in May
The Dutch Eco-Futurist Master
Art Gangs of New York
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Art
Top Guns
Life of Si
A Rust Belt Biennale
Inside Sotheby’s Ultra V.I.P. Strategy
Condition Report: Emma Webster
The Luxury Marauders Take Milan