Portrait Miniatures

Christie's Portrait Miniatures sales feature works by British, European and American miniaturists from the first half of the 16th to the late 19th century. Portrait miniatures served as mementoes of loved ones, tokens of political allegiance, and gifts exchanged among kings and members of the aristocracy. Artists regularly represented in our auctions include Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619); Samuel Cooper (1609-1672); Richard Cosway (1742-1821); Pierre-Adolphe Hall (1739-1793); François Dumont (1751-1831); Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855) and Moritz Michael Daffinger (1790-1849).

Christie's set a world auction record of $1,216,000 for a portrait miniature by John Ramage of George Washington (New York, 2001) and £276,500 for a miniature portrait by Jean Petitot of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (London, 1996).

Christie's hosts five sales of Portrait Miniatures in London each year -- two at King Street and three in South Kensington. We always welcome consignments in this increasingly popular collecting category.

Upcoming Sales from this department

  • Oct 14 3pm

    Paris

    Succession de feus Monseigneur le Comte de Paris et Madame la Comtesse de Paris

    sale details

  • Dec 9 10:30am

    King Street

    Miniatures and Gold Boxes

    sale details

  • Jun 2 10:30am

    King Street

    Miniatures

    sale details
Full Auction Calendar

Department Contact Info

London, King Street Contacts

New York Contacts

Paris Contacts