Curiel only took charge of Christie’s France last May after the sudden departure of Hugues Joffre, but told the Antiques Trade Gazette that he had always viewed his role as a “troubleshooter” and never expected to keep the job for long. He said it had been one of his priorities to “find a manager of our French branch”, adding that Freiche’s appointment “allows me to free myself from the operational side of Christie’s in Paris”.
Curiel will stay based in Paris and has been moved upstairs to replace Hubert de Givenchy as President of the Conseil de Surveillance for Christie’s France.
He also remains chairman of Christie’s Europe, head of the international jewellery department, and a member of the Conseil des Ventes, France’s new auction watchdog.
Freiche, aged 45, joined Groupe Pinault – the holding company that belongs to Christie’s French owner François Pinault – in 1996, heading the group’s Asian operations before becoming director of international development in 1998. Curiel told the Gazette that Pinault approved Freiche’s appointment and that Freiche’s experience working for Pinault “had not done his candidacy any harm”.
Curiel moves on to bigger role after ‘troubleshooting’ stint
Less than a month after Christie’s first sales in Paris, Dominique-Henri Freiche, a director of Groupe Pinault, has replaced François Curiel as President of Christie’s France.
