Sebastian Davies
International Specialist Head
London, King Street
Sebastian Davies joined Christie's in 1993 and spent the first six years of his career as a specialist in the 19th Century Furniture & Sculpture Department at King Street. In 1999 Mr Davies transferred to New York and after reinvigorating 19th Century sales at Christie's East moved the department to Rockefeller Plaza and was appointed International Specialist Head of Department. After five successful years in New York, Mr. Davies returned to Christie's King Street in 2004.
During his tenure, Mr Davies has overseen record-breaking sales, such as highest auction prices for works by several of the category's top craftsmen: £548,450 for François Linke in 2003; £321,600 for Christofle in 2006; $534,000 for Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener in 2001; £209,600 for Placido Zuloaga in 2005; and $240,500 for Charles-Guillaume Diehl in 2002. In addition, the highly successful sale of an Important Private Collection of Barye Bronzes, which Mr. Davies orchestrated in 2003, achieved the two highest prices ever paid at auction for work by the celebrated sculptor ($354,700 and $276,300).
Owing to the dynamic ability he has demonstrated in revitalizing the 19th Century market, Mr. Davies was recently appointed Head of Department for 20th Century Decorative Art and Design. In this enhanced role he leads a team of highly competent specialists in targeting key consignments, and will focus on reshaping and marketing the department's bi-annual King Street sales.