Christies

Christie's is a major international auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie in London. It conducts auctions and private sales of fine art, antiques, jewelry, wine, and collectibles, and it operates under the Christie’s brand globally.

The house gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries, expanding beyond the United Kingdom to establish galleries and sale rooms in major cities worldwide. Its reach now includes auction houses and offices in key markets across the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia.

In 1998 Christie's was acquired by Artémis, the investment group of François-Henri Pinault, making it part of a global luxury group. The acquisition solidified its status as a leading player in the international art market and aligned it with other luxury brands under the Artémis umbrella.

Notable sales include Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, sold for 450.3 million USD at Christie's in 2017, a record for an artwork sold at auction at the time. Christie's is renowned for high-value transactions across its categories, attracting collectors, institutions, and investors worldwide.

Today Christie's operates through a network of offices and auction rooms worldwide and holds hundreds of public auctions each year across categories, with online bidding and private sales complementing traditional in-person auctions. The firm is frequently cited as one of the two leading auction houses alongside Sotheby’s.