Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern & Turkish Art

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Christie's first offered Contemporary Middle Eastern art in its inaugural sale in Dubai in May 2006, widely held to be the watershed event in the Middle East art market. In the four years since, Contemporary Middle Eastern art has become firmly established as a category as museums, galleries, curators and collectors worldwide have begun to show an active interest.

Christie's Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auctions realized in excess of $29 million in 2010, the highest total to date for the category and an increase of 117% over 2009. Our most recent sale of International Modern and Contemporary Art on 26th October 2010 realised $14,043,000, more than doubling its pre-sale estimate and once again confirming Christie’s leadership position in the category. Highlights of the sale included Part 2 of Dr. Mohammed Said Farsi’s collection of modern Egyptian art, amongst which The Whirling Dervishes by Mahmoud Said achieved $2,546,500, the world record price for the artist at auction and the world record price for any Arab or Iranian painting at auction. Further world record prices were established for notable artists, including Fateh Moudarres, Nja Mahdaoui and Paul Guiragossian.

Held in April and October, the Dubai auctions continue to act as a major catalyst in establishing a truly global appeal and in developing the contemporary art market in the Middle East. Further acknowledging the wider region and the growth of interest amongst collectors, in 2008 Christie's introduced Turkish art into the Dubai auctions.

UPCOMING SALES FROM THIS DEPARTMENT


  • This department is currently seeking consignments for its upcoming auction. For a free valuation or more information on consignment opportunities, please contact one of our specialists below.

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