Christie's

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists | 2003 | 700+ words | Copyright

Christie's The popular name for the firm of Christie, Manson & Woods, the oldest fine art auctioneers in the world (Sotheby's was founded earlier, but originally sold only books). It was founded by James Christie (1730–1803), who gave up a commission in the navy to become an auctioneer and held his first sale on 5 December 1766 in rooms in Pall Mall, in the same premises in which the exhibitions of the Royal Academy were held until 1779. He was a friend of Gainsborough and Reynolds, and Christie's developed a tradition of holding the studio sales of prominent artists. The firm acquired its present name in 1859, when James Christie's grandsons took new partners. Its headquarters are still in London and there are branches and offices in many cities throughout the world.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Christie's." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Christie's." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-Christies.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Christie's." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-Christies.html

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