London – Welcoming the new year with fresh inspiration to reinvigorate tableware for 2020 – whatever the occasion – Christie’s new online sale Dressing the Table: Contemporary Fine Dining is now open to view online, ahead of opening for bidding on 22 until 29 January. Providing dynamic opportunities to mix prints, patterns and one-of-a-kind objects for a thoroughly modern table this year – be it for afternoon tea, an alfresco breakfast, dinner or a home bar - this curated selection of 55 lots ranges from Versace and Dior-designed plates and cutlery to Baccarat glass, Chinese Export porcelain and grand silver candelabra. Estimates start from £800 up to £18,000. Selected highlights from the sale will be on view at Christie’s Headquarters in London from 13 to 22 January, curated by homeware designer and style curator Petra Palumbo who will also be giving guidance in person during a talk on ‘Dressing the Table’ at Christie’s Late on Monday 13 January.

Petra Palumbo explains: “It was an honour and a privilege to collaborate with Christie’s, styling five different vignettes using a curated selection of items from their online dining sale along with my own wares. There were so many unique pieces to play around with, I had such fun mixing prints, patterns and layering colour and not being too precious about matching everything perfectly. My goal was to inject a sense of humour into the settings via the details; for example the M&Ms loosely scattered on the table alongside the lovely German silver pheasants and the ornately decorated porcelain ‘Flora Danica’ table service. I love marrying the old and the new in an unexpected way and I hope my settings will inspire people to have fun, be daring and try not to overthink it!”

Matilda Burn, Head of Sale, Associate Specialist European Ceramics and Glass comments: “Dressing the Table offers a wonderful opportunity to leave the Christmas feasting behind and start 2020 with a fresh look for entertaining. I love the mixture of older and contemporary pieces and the combination of the two can create a completely unique look, as Petra’s styling highlights.”