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Russians Smash Records at Sotheby's Sale

Recession-defying London art auction brings in $230M

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2008 1:22 PM CST

(Newser) – Sotheby's held its most successful sale ever of modern and impressionist art in London last night, with Russian collectors leading a buying frenzy on a day stock markets tumbled. The auction house sold 67 lots worth $230 million—topping high estimate, Bloomberg reports. "There was a lot of buying from Russians,'' one dealer said. "They have a lot of money."

One Russian collector bought half a dozen works, including a Signac for $6.4 million and a Pissarro for $4.8 million. While the auction house wouldn't reveal the percentage of Russian buyers, it said 87% of lots went to Europeans. Brand-name recognition is trumping connoisseurship, said one dealer: "Russian buyers are looking for decorative, historically important things by good names."

A woman looks at Claude Monet's 'La Route de la Ferme Saint-Simeon en Hiver' at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 3-4 million pounds (US $6-8 million; euro 4-5.4 million) in a Feb. 5 sale. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
A woman looks at Claude Monet's 'La Route de la Ferme Saint-Simeon en Hiver' at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 3-4 million pounds (US $6-8 million; euro...   (Associated Press)
Employees hold Alexej von Jawlensky's Schokko mit Tellerhut or Schokko with Wide-Brimmed Hat, at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 6.5-8.5 million pounds (US $12.8-$16.8 million; euro 8.8-11.5 million) in a Feb. 5 sale. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
Employees hold Alexej von Jawlensky's "Schokko mit Tellerhut" or "Schokko with Wide-Brimmed Hat," at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 6.5-8.5 million pounds...   (Associated Press)
An employee holds Pierre-Auguste Renoir's La Loge or L'avant-scene at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 2.5-3.5 million pounds (US $4.9-$6.9 million; euro 3.4-4.7 million) in a Feb. 5 sale.  (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
An employee holds Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "La Loge" or "L'avant-scene" at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 2.5-3.5 million pounds (US $4.9-$6.9 million;...   (Associated Press)
A woman walks past Paul Cezanne's 'Poires et Couteau' at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 2-3 million pounds (US 3.9-5.9 million; euro 2.7-4 million) in a Feb. 5 sale.  (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
A woman walks past Paul Cezanne's 'Poires et Couteau' at Sotheby's in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The painting is expected to realize 2-3 million pounds (US 3.9-5.9 million; euro 2.7-4 million) in...   (Associated Press)
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