Christie's - Man Ray dans la collection Marion Meyer

Executive Summary

The recent auction at Christie's, featuring "Man Ray dans la collection Marion Meyer," showcased an exceptional collection predominantly comprised of works by Man Ray. The auction was characterized by a high sell-through rate of 99.44%, with 179 out of 180 lots sold, demonstrating a strong market interest. The total auction value was approximately €4,749,129.00 with a total hammer price of €3,769,150.00. A significant portion of the auction's value was concentrated in high-ticket items, with the lots priced over €100,000 contributing to 37.41% of the total value.

Key Insights

• Man Ray's Preeminence: Man Ray dominated the auction with 175 lots, generating a total sales value of €3,752,200.00, which averages €21,441.14 per lot, indicating robust collector interest in his oeuvre.
• High-Value Density: The highest price per square centimeter was for the lot "Groupe surréaliste, c. 1924-1925," suggesting that size is not the sole determinant of value in the eyes of collectors.
• Top Performers: The top-selling lot, "All's Well That Ends Well," exceeded its median estimate, indicating the willingness of collectors to surpass pre-auction estimates for sought-after works.
• Market Disparities: The contrast between the top lots and those that underperformed suggests diverse collector priorities and the subjectivity of art valuation.
• Rarity and Historical Significance: The overperformance of certain lots, notably Tristan Tzara's signed letters, underscored the premium placed on rarity and historical significance.
• Underperformers: Works featuring Juliet Man Ray underperformed, hinting at a possible market saturation or a narrower collector base for these pieces.