Old Masters

Museum and Corporate Collection Services

We recognize that every institution is unique. Our team implements best practices honed over our decades-long history and we understand that the scope and goals of each project are singular and specific. Consequently, we craft solutions tailored to your particular needs, guiding you through the process every step of the way.

Assistance with Selling
We present your artworks in the marketplace to maximize their potential, while partnering with you to ensure a clear message reflective of your goals is communicated around your sales.

Assistance with Buying
Whether at auction or through private sale, our team partners with you to ensure the acquisition process is streamlined. We keep 'wish lists' so that we can provide generous advance notice when relevant works will be appearing on the market. We have knowledge of artworks in private collections throughout the world and often approach collectors who may be interested in selling privately to institutions.

Financial Opportunities
We offer a range of financial options to facilitate institutions’ buying at Christie’s. In addition to extended payment packages, we can also provide preferential terms to institutions for loans through Christie’s Art Finance and third-party guarantee opportunities.

Appraisals
Christie’s provides appraisals for a variety of purposes, including insurance and fair market value for financial planning. In addition, we provide assistance with the Federal Indemnity process. Our Museum Services team handles numerous indemnity appraisals each year, with recent highlights including Mary Cassatt at Work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Botticelli Drawings at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Picasso in Fontainebleau at the Museum of Modern Art; and Van Gogh Cypresses at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Special Events and Programs
Christie’s offers a broad spectrum of programming to suit your institution’s individual needs. Our specialists around the world regularly take part in virtual and in-person lectures and symposia at museums and universities, and many of them also serve as charity auctioneers, helping to raise millions each year in support of various causes. We frequently host museum groups for exclusive tours, work with museum staff to create bespoke events and webinars for top patrons and secure access to global private collections for exclusive tours. We also partner on fundraising events at Christie’s, online, or at your institution, and host museum board meetings in our galleries and boardrooms around the world.

Facilitating Philanthropy
Christie’s is proud to support institutions’ philanthropic initiatives through our networks, whether by facilitating the sale of artwork to benefit important causes; offering, when we can, our salerooms as a venue for fundraising events; or providing expert charity auctioneers.

Research and Access to Sales
Our beautifully illustrated, exceptionally well-researched sales information can serve as useful reference materials, providing scholarly background for upcoming exhibitions or for use as a guide to future acquisitions. Our team can arrange complimentary access to the collecting categories of your choice.

Facilitating Loan Requests
Christie’s maintains an unparalleled network of top collectors around the world with whom we have fostered strong relationships. We are pleased to use this position to match institutions seeking works for upcoming exhibitions with collectors who are interested in placing their art on view for public enrichment and enjoyment.