CHRISTIE’S SETS RECORD WITH THE HIGHEST TOTAL FOR A HANDBAGS SALE IN AMERICAS

HANDBAGS ONLINE: THE NEW YORK EDIT TOTALS $4,114,782 NINE LOTS SOLD IN EXCESS OF $100,000 EACH

NEW YORK – Christie’s is thrilled to announce the outstanding results of Handbags Online: The New York Edit, totalling $4,114,782, the highest value realized for a handbag sale in the Americas. The auction was 94% sold by lot and 140% by low estimate, nine lots sold for more than 100,000, an all-time high for an online auction.

Hermès
Barenia Leather Perspective Cavalière Kellywood with Palladium Hardware
From the Collection of Rebag
Price Realized: $176, 400

“The success of our latest auction speaks to the enduring status of exceptionally well-crafted handbags as both extremely valuable assets and ultra-desirable personal luxuries. Our record-breaking result is fresh proof that these collectible handbags are worthwhile assets to invest in, and that our overall market, which continues to see expansive growth, is strong. In a time when so many fashion forecasters have stressed the growing trend of quiet luxury, our bidders have demonstrated a renewed appetite for luxury with a capital L. From diamond-encrusted Birkins to colorful leather Marquetry to eye-catching white Alligator skin, our collectors sought out handbags as exuberant as they were exquisite, in iconic styles whose values have stood the test of time.” -Paige Rubin, Head of Sale, Handbags, Americas

The sale featured a selection of handbags curated by Rebag, including the top lot of the sale—an Hermès Barenia Leather Perspective Cavalière Kellywood With Palladium Hardware, which realized $176,400. This sale marked the model’s first appearance in the American auction market and a world-record price for this model at auction. The sale also featured both of the newest and rarest examples of Hermès Faubourg Birkins: A Neige Faubourg Birkin 20 and a Minuit Faubourg Birkin 20, both of which realized $151,200. Another favourite of serious collectors and a highlight of the sale was a stunning and rare Matte White Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 30 with Palladium Hardware, which realized $151,200.

Many lots sold for well over their low estimates, including a Limited Edition Toile & Black Swift Leather Cargo Hac Birkin 40 With Palladium Hardware, which realized $40,320, and a Couture Maroquinerie White Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Lady Dior Bag With Silver & Crystal Hardware, which realized $21,420. Both sold for more than 400% of their low estimates.

About Christie’s

Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business. Renowned and trusted for its expert live and online auctions, as well as its bespoke private sales, Christie’s offers a full portfolio of global services to its clients, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s has a physical presence in 46 countries, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. It also is the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai).

Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 8 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, including the Paul G. Allen Collection—the most valuable collection ever offered at auction (November 2022). In recent years, Christie’s has achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction (Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, 2017), for a 20th century artwork (Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 2022) and for a work by a living artist (Jeff Koons’ Rabbit, 2019). 

Christie’s Private Sales offers a seamless service for buying and selling art, jewellery and watches outside of the auction calendar, working exclusively with Christie’s specialists at a client’s individual pace.

Recent innovations at Christie’s include the groundbreaking sale of the first NFT for a digital work of art ever offered at a major auction house (Beeple’s Everydays, March 2021), with the unprecedented acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie’s also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the business of art, including use of hologram technology to tour life-size 3D objects around the world, and the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, buy-now channels, and hybrid sales formats. 

Christie’s is dedicated to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide, including achieving sustainability by reducing our carbon emissions by 50% and pledging to be net zero by 2030, and actively using its platform in the art world to amplify under-represented voices and support positive change.

Browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at: www.christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps. The COVID-related re-opening status of our global locations is available here.