Dubai – Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, and the first international auction house to operate in the Middle East since 2005, confirms their regional auction calendar.

In April 2020, Christie's 14th stand-alone Dubai watch auction will take place at a new venue, in the recently opened Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Dubai on 11 April.

In Autumn 2020, the annual Middle Eastern Modern and Contemporary Art auction will take place in London on 21 October.

In 2021, a consolidated new Spring Sale season will be launched in Dubai for contemporary art and watched creating a convening moment for regional and international collectors.

“Following the success of our sales in Dubai and London devoted to showcasing the best of Middle Eastern modern and contemporary art to global audiences, we will be focusing on one major art sale in 2020 to take place in London,” said Michael Jeha, Christie’s Chairman, Middle East.

“While we are not staging a dedicated second auction this year in Dubai, we are planning a new auction format in Dubai in Spring 2021 together with Christie’s very successful watch department. In 2020 we are focusing on a vibrant program of exhibitions and educational events in both, the traditional markets – with a preview in March to coincide with Art Dubai – as well as other territories, including important charity auctions in Abu Dhabi and in Saudi Arabia at the end of January. We will also be previewing highlights from our international auctions to our local clients and audiences, including in March to coincide with the Dubai Art Fair. The Important Watches auction takes place on 11 April and will be showcasing the world’s finest timepieces selected by the longest operating watch team in the Middle East and will mark an important moment for Christie’s Dubai.”, added Caroline Louca-Kirkland, Christie’s Managing Director, Middle East.

Top 10 Facts over 15 Years of Christie’s in Dubai

50 auctions held in 15 years making Christie’s the leading auction house in the region

Market leader for Middle Eastern art for 15 consecutive years with over 70% market share

March 2015, the world’s ever first multi-collector watch auction sold 100% at Christie’s Dubai

Raised over $30 million in charitable auctions over the past 15 years

Over 700 artists offered by Christie’s to international audiences

Over 500 new world auction records established for Middle Eastern artists – latest for Huguette Caland (1931-2019), Bribes de Corps (Body Parts), sold for £250,000 in London during Frieze Art Auction on 5 October 2019.

Christie’s set the record for the most expensive work of art sold in the Middle East at auction - Parviz Tanavoli, The Wall (Oh Persepolis) which sold for $2,841,000

Christie’s holds the record for any Middle Eastern private art collection being sold at auction: $15.4 million for the Dr Mohammed Said Farsi collection

Christie’s activities in the region have included leading events in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt

In 2016 a member of staff of Christie’s Dubai published the first catalogue raisonné written about any Middle Eastern artist – 3 volumes on the oeuvre of Mahmoud Said.

Auction calendar 2020

11 April        Important Watches at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Dubai

21 October       Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at Christie’s King Street, London

Auction calendar 2021

Spring               Important Watches in Dubai

Spring               Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art in Dubai