Sotheby's - Old Master and British Works on Paper

Executive Summary

The "Old Master and British Works on Paper" auction in New York concluded with a compelling sell-through rate of 81.33%, signaling a robust collector interest, especially within the mid-range art market. The auction's dynamics were intriguing, with no artworks sold in the highest price brackets, contrasting sharply with several pieces, such as John Constable's "A stone bridge near Epsom," which significantly outstripped their estimates, underscoring a market that deeply values historical gravitas and the prestige of the artist's name. The sales were predominantly clustered in the $1,000 to $50,000 bracket, reflecting a market tendency towards moderately priced artworks.