A year of marked growth for Sotheby's Italia. A result that gives hope for a real recovery of the art market in Italy after several years of decline. Success also for Italian modern art, setting records for various artists such as Scheggi, Burri and Fontana.
World Auction Record 2015:
- White curved intersurface, world record for Paolo Splinters reaches the figure of € 1.623.000
- I Cellotex of Albert Butters of the 80s recorded figures records: Nero Mi (lot. 28) from an estimate of € 150.000-200.000 was sold in the hall for € 495.000 and lot 42, Cellotex P4, more than doubled to €435.000
- Agnetti records in the afternoon of May 21 the first world record (lot. 148) of €125.647 (est. €25.000-35.000)
- The two Spatial concepts brass of Lucius Fontana of 1967, ed. 26/500, from €60.000-80.000 were sold for a record €183.000
(Registered in the Milan auction of 20 & 21 May 2015)
- Tano Party At sea level from 1965 sold for €177.000 from an estimate of €50.000-70.000
- "The bed thinking of a meadow ..!" of Caesar heels, the large padded canvas worth 80.000 was acquired for €183.000.
- franc Grignani (Interlocking 1965 val. €35.000 add. €52.500)
- Giosetta Fioroni Male child of 1968 which went from €15.000 to €52.500.
- Grace Varisco Breakable lattice 1970(€50,000)
- Lucia by Lucian Irrigation No. 10 from 1966 (€27,500).
- Gianfranco Baruchello Die Lehrlinge zu Sais 1963 (€55,000)
- Lucio Of the Piece Venetian red 1965 (€68,750).
(Registered in the Milan auction of 24 & 25 November 2015)
Filippo Lotti, Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby's Italia, comments: “42.25% represents a considerable percentage of growth which encourages us to continue the policy begun a few seasons ago and aimed at ever greater selectivity of our sales. I would also like to underline the growth in the average lot value which went from €103.988 (2014) to €160.638 this year. ”
Raphaelle Blanga, Head of the Modern and Contemporary Art Department of Sotheby's Italia, comments: “With the Milanese auctions we have the precious opportunity to offer indications to the most shrewd Italian and international collectors, together with a sort of consultancy over time which is giving good results and which encourages us to continue along this path.
On the other hand, let's remember, the first auction records for Enrico Castellani (to name a name) were recorded at Sotheby's in Milan, thanks to an auction of a private collection in 2010; and moreover, just scroll through the post-auction comments on the Milanese sales of recent years to discover how world auction records emerge for our artists at each appointment, records which are then "amplified" on international markets. "
Top lots
Paolo Scheggi, White curved intersurface, 1969 – awarded at 1,623,000 EUR – estimate 400,000 – 600,000
Lucio Fontana, Spatial Concept, Expectations, 1968 – awarded at 1,383,000 EUR – estimate 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
Giorgio Morandi, Still Life, 1953 – contracted for EUR 843,000 – estimate 450,000 – 600,000
Lucio Fontana, Spatial Concept, Waiting, 1964 – contracted for EUR 819,000 – estimate 500,000 – 700,000
Lucio Fontana, Spatial Concept, Expectations, 1961- contracted for EUR 795,000 – estimate 600,000 – 800,000
Giorgio Morandi, Still Life, 1948 – contracted for EUR 747,000 – estimate 600,000 – 800,000
Alberto Burri, White Plastic, 1968- allotted for EUR 735,500 - estimate 400,000 – 600,000
Alberto Burri, Iron, 1959, contracted for EUR 699,000 – estimate 500,000 – 700,000
