On 5 December 1766, James Christie (1730–1803) held a sale in London’s Pall Mall which offered “genuine household furniture, jewels, plate, firearms, china and a large quantity of madeira and high flavoured claret” belonging to a “Noble Personage (deceased)”.
The catalogue for the sale is the oldest in Christie’s archives. The apparent star of this ‘inaugural’ auction was a Dutch Old Master painting by Aelbert Cuyp.
The sale came about after the young Scotsman Christie had left the employment of Covent Garden auctioneer Mr Annesley in 1763. In 1766 he officially set up his firm in Pall Mall, although it seems likely that held earlier sales under his own banner.
The catalogue for the first Christie’s sale on 5 December 1766. Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
Two and half centuries on, the firm that bears his name is now a multi-billion pound global business.
Having staged a special sale and loan exhibition both titled 'Defining British Art' in London earlier this year to mark the anniversary, here ATG takes a look at some of the highlights in the company’s history.
Christie’s Timeline
1766
James Christie opens his doors for business after having previously worked as an assistant to auctioneer called Mr Annesley in Covent Garden. His first sales were held in Pall Mall.
1794
Christie’s hold the sale of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ collection
1823
Christie's moves to 8 King Street in St James's, still the location of their headquarters in London
1848
Auction of the collection of the 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos at Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Causing a sensation, the sale heralded a series of further dispersals of aristocratic collections.
1889
James Christie, the great-grandson of the founder, leaves the firm ending a family association that had lasted 123 years
1941
Christie’s premises takes a direct hit during the Blitz forcing the auctioneers to move to move to Derby House, near Oxford Street (now the Oriental Club). They move again to Spencer House in 1947, only returning to their King Street site in 1953.
1958
Christie's opens its first overseas office in Rome
1970
Christie’s holds its first sale in the US
1975
Christie’s South Kensington established, followed by Christie’s New York two years later
1986
Christie’s holds its first sale in Hong Kong
2006
First sales held in the Middle East (Dubai)
2013
Christie’s stages its first sale in China (Shanghai) and India (Mumbai)
2016
Christie’s celebrates 250 years in business
