At the auction Christie's «postwar and contemporary art" and "The Italian art of the twentieth century", held on October 14, the top lot was the sculpture "The Horseman" Marino Marini, pushed under the hammer for 4.5 million

The overall result is auction Christie's« postwar and contemporary art "and" Italian art of the twentieth century ", which took place on 14 October as part of an art fair Frieze , was 38,213,050 pounds (61,179,093 dollars). Six lots were sold for amounts in excess of 1 million pounds and 18 - more than $ 1 million.

top lot of the two trades was a rare bronze statue titled "Horseman" of Marino Marini ( 1901-1980), cast in 1951 and being one of the most striking examples of the work of the sculptor. The sculpture was sold with a threefold excess of estimate for 4,465,250 pounds (7,068,491 dollars), this "hammer price" was a record for works of the author. The uniqueness of the work lies in the fact that, unlike the other four instances created within a single series, the patina on it inflicted itself Marini.

Head of European Department of Post-War and Contemporary Art Christie's Francis Autrid: "For art lovers who have gathered in London for an art fair, Frieze, this week became one of the most rewarding. Christie's doors were wide open for thousands of people who admired the top lots, our upcoming New York auction of contemporary art. All this has also contributed to an atmosphere conducive to holding auctions that took place in crowded rooms, with many of the participants took part in our bid for the first time ».

« postwar and contemporary art »

total revenues up to the evening auction" Post-war and contemporary art totaled 19,585,400 pounds (31,356,225 dollars), while the total trade estimate is 16 -23,000,000 pounds. It sold 86%of the lots for sale (92%in cash terms). The vast majority of market participants were buyers from Europe (66%), 34%- of U.S. citizens. Four lots went under the hammer for amounts that exceed 1 million pounds (9 - for amounts over $ 1 million).

top lot these trades was a large-scale (more than 5 meters in length), leaf Damien Hirst (b. 1965) "I have become death, destroyer of worlds" from the famous series "Butterflies". It went under the hammer for 2,169,250 pounds (3,433,923 dollars). This is the most significant creations of the artist from all that appeared on the market since September 2008, when London hosted the auction of his personal "beauty forever in my thoughts." Title of work refers viewers to the famous phrase of Robert Oppenheimer, whom he said after the detonation of an atomic bomb.

A total of 40%of the lots have gone in excess of the estimate. It was established in May of personal records - to work Jed Quinn, Kelly Walker, Otto Pina, Roman Opalka and Lisa Lu.

almost four times higher than its initial assessment work by Takashi Murakami (born 1962 ) «Kaikai Kiki», which found a new owner for 1,945,250 pounds (3,079,331 dollars). Landscape by Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) "Two Tree" in 1987 was sold for 1,105,250 pounds Estimé to 0,8-1 million pounds. Canvas by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) "Negroid era" in 1986 was sold for 1,497,250 pounds (2,397,097 dollars) Estimé to 1,2-1,8 million pounds.

«Italian art of XX century»

auction results "Italian Art of the XX Century" - 18,627,650 pounds (29,822,868 dollars) at a total estimeyte at 14-20 million pounds - was the highest ever auction in this category. It sold 78%of lots for sale (89%in cash terms). 22%of buyers - the people of Italy, 67%- other countries in Europe, and the remaining 11%- U.S. residents. Two lots went under the hammer for amounts that exceed 1 million pounds (9 - for amounts over $ 1 million).

Top-lot auction was the sculpture "Horseman" of Marino Marini (1901 - 1980), sold with a threefold excess of estimate, for the record sum of 4,465,250 pounds (7,068,491 dollars).

International Director of the Department of Post-War and Contemporary Art Christie's, head of trading Mariolina Bassett: "We are certainly pleased with the results of those trades that have a real treat for all fans of Italian art of the XX century. These trades took place, along with the auction "Post-War and Contemporary Art", which indicates the growing importance of Italian art in the modern art market. Even more strongly confirms this fact that 78%of the buyers - are residents of countries outside Italy ».

Trading Post-War and Contemporary Art" (auction number 7914)
Trades "Italian art of the twentieth century" (auction number 7874)
London, October 14, 2010 (King Street)

Trades	Lots of all items		Sold,%		auction results, pounds	results overall, lb / dollars
	Proposed	Sold	on lots	At a cost of
«postwar and contemporary art»	51	44	86	92	19585400	38213050 /61179093
«Italian art of the twentieth century»	45	35	78	89	18627650

The overall list of top-10 lots of two trades

№ Lot	Trades	Description	Estimate, million pounds	Room , lb / dollars
66	7874	Marino Marini (1901 - 1980) «rider» world record for the author	1,2-1,8	4,465,250 /7068 491
17	7914	Damien Hirst (born 1965) «I have become death, destroyer of worlds"	2,5-3,5	2,169,250 /3433923
19	7914	Takashi Murakami (born 1962) «Kaikai Kiki»	0,4-0, 6	1,945,250 /3079331
71	7874	Piero Manzoni (1933-1963) «achromatosis»	1,35-1,85	1,665,250 /2636091
12	7914	Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) « Negroid era »	1,2-1,8	1,497,250 /2370147
6	7914	Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) «Two trees»	0,8 - 1,2	1,105,250 /1749611
91	7874	Lucio Fontana (1899-1968) «Spatial Concept, the end of God»	0,6-0,8	993 250 /1572315
72	7874	Alberto Burri (1915-1995) "Black crack»	0,7-1	959,650 /1519126
24	7914	Nicolas de Stael (1914-1955) «Still Life in shades of gray»	1-1,5	937,250 /1483667
31	7914	Roman Opalka (b. 1931) Triptych: ( I ) Item 4875812-4894230, ( II ) Item 4894231-4914799, ( III ) Item 4914800-4932016 World record for the author	0,4-0,6	802,850 /1270912

Source: press release Christie's