Private and Iconic Collections

Since 1766, Christie’s has presented many of the most important private and iconic collections in history, including seven of the ten most valuable collections ever sold. Christie’s excels at celebrating collections and telling their stories — showcasing each owner’s unique style and eclectic taste to inspire a new generation of collectors. These collections offer an unparalleled glimpse into the private lives of extraordinary individuals, be they rockstars, fashion icons, scions of politics and business, renowned decorators or trailblazing art dealers.

We have proudly handled the collections of legendary figures from film, music and fashion, including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, George Michael, Mark Knopfler, Donna Summer, David Gilmour, Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood.

The collections of industry titans such as Paul G. Allen, the Rockefellers and Ann and Gordon Getty have shattered world records and raised billions for charitable causes worldwide.

Christie’s is also a leader in honouring the legacies of royal, aristocratic and political figures, with landmark sales from the historic collections of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, the Earls Spencer, Houghton, Hackwood and Harewood, as well as Anthony Eden, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan

We excel in showcasing the aesthetic and creative vision of influential tastemakers and designers, including Alberto Pinto, Michael S. Smith, Jasper Conran and Robert Kime. Christie’s is the only major auction house with a global team dedicated to Private and Iconic Collections. With unrivalled experience and expertise, we are here to advise you on the best strategy for bringing your collection to auction. Contact us today for a free and confidential valuation.

Image copyrights:
The Rose Garden (George Harrison and Pattie Boyd), 1968 © Pattie Boyd
Mark Knopfler © Sarah Groenen The Collection of Ann and Gordon Getty © Visko Hatfield

A person in a blue top stands against a backdrop of white lattice intertwined with vibrant red roses.

Upcoming auctions

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10 - 24 Oct
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Vintage Sports and Hollywood Online: The Dr. G.B. Espy Collection
New York
22 Oct
Live
American Greats: Vintage Sports and Hollywood from the Dr. G.B. Espy Collection
New York

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From free valuations to market advice, our specialists are here to answer your questions.

Zita Gibson
Senior Director, Head of Business Development
+44 (0) 20 7389 2488
zgibson@christies.com
London
As Head of Business Development, Zita builds relationships with vendors and advisors, identifying and driving multi-category proposals, pitches and collection sales for EMEA. She oversees Valuations and Private & Iconic Collections, creating and leading opportunities from valuation through to auction or private sale.
Zita joined Christie’s in 2007 following an MA in Classics at Trinity College, Oxford University and an MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Zita has played an integral role in securing and overseeing notable consignments including The George Michael Collection (2019), The Roger Federer Collection (2021), The Pattie Boyd Collection (2024), Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection (2024), The Mary and Alan Hobart Collection (2024), Jeff Beck: The Guitar Collection (2025) and Barry Humphries: The Personal Collection (2025).
Amelia Walker
Director, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections
+44 20 7389 2085
awalker@christies.com
London
Amelia Walker is a Director of Christie’s and Specialist Head of the Private & Iconic Collections department, with over 18 years of experience in the organisation and sale of multi-category private, iconic and country house collections. Since joining in 2006, Christie's has sold countless Iconic, Royal, Aristocratic and Connoisseur collections including those of Mark Knopfler, The Princess Margaret, the Earl Spencer, Sting, Audrey Hepburn, Margaret Thatcher, Roger Federer, Charlie Watts, the Rothschild family, and many more. Amelia is interested in all aspects of collecting, both ‘fine’ and decorative art, from antiquity to the contemporary and has had privileged access to some of the world's most wonderful works of art. She loves nothing more than meeting collectors, researching and valuing their collections and unearthing the provenance and story behind each object, picture, or piece of memorabilia.
Adrian Hume-Sayer
Director, Specialist
London
A Director of the Private Collections and Country House Sales department, Adrian specialises in furniture and works of art. Since joining the department in 2010 Adrian has been responsible for a number of notable collection sales including: Harewood, Collecting in the Royal Tradition, The Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, and Works of Art from the Collection of the Marquesses of Londonderry as well as orchestrating the sales of the personal collections of Margaret Thatcher and Audrey Hepburn. Training as an auctioneer at the age of twenty-one, Adrian initially worked at Tennant’s Auctioneers in his native North Yorkshire before moving to Bonham’s in 2003 and joining Christie’s in 2009. With a particularly strong interest in all types of English furniture and works of art, Adrian sits on the Council of the Furniture History Society as well as on the Selection Committee for the Attingham Summer School. Adrian also has a strong interest in Architectural history.
Charlotte Young
Associate Director, Specialist
+44 (0)20 7389 2730
cyoung@christies.com
London
Charlotte joined Christie’s in 2008 after graduating from the University of Bristol with an BA in History. She began her career as a furniture specialist at Christie’s South Kensington, before moving to Private Collections in January 2014 where she has been responsible for, and contributed to a wide variety of collection sales. Highlights have been the superb collection of French furniture offered in Tastes of the Royal Court (2015) which included a record-breaking fauteuil en bergere supplied to Queen Marie Antoinette; Queen Anne’s Gate: Works from the Art Collection of Sting and Trudie Styler (2016); and more recently working with the internationally acclaimed interior designer Michael Smith on the sales ‘Rooms as Portraits’ (2018).

Whilst her main interest remains English and European furniture and works of art and the interiors in which they sit, she relishes the opportunity that Collection sales offer to learn about collecting fields beyond the traditional Decorative Arts and to see the juxtapositions each collector creates between differing fields within their own collections.
Benedict Winter
Director, Specialist
London
Benedict joined Christie’s Private & Iconic Collections department in 2015 following a degree in History of Art from the University of York, and prior experience at several London galleries, the National Trust, and a New York-based art advisory.

In addition to assisting with landmark auctions in the department, he has led the celebrated landmark sales of The Collection of Victoria, Lady de Rothschild, The Collection of the late Lord Snowdon, The Personal Collection of Jasper Conran, The Private Collection of Charlie Watts, and most recently, the estate of comedian and cultural icon Barry Humphries. In addition to overseeing these landmark sales, Benedict advises private clients on their collections and acquisitions across all categories.

He has a keen interest in the English Country House aesthetic and the families and designers that shaped it and has formerly been an Ambassador for the V&A Young Patrons’ Scheme.
Elizabeth Comba
Specialist
+44 (0) 20 7389 2254
ecomba@christies.com
London
Elizabeth is a Specialist in the Private & Iconic Collections department. With extensive experience as a Picture Specialist across many categories and at all levels of the market, she first joined Christie’s in 2012. Initially in the Modern British & Irish Art department, in 2013 she became Junior Specialist in 20th Century Decorative Art & Design at Christie’s South Kensington. Following a seven-year period spent working as a Picture Specialist at Roseberys, and later Portland Gallery, she re-joined Christie’s in 2021. Elizabeth holds a First Class Honours degree in History of Art from the University of Manchester and a MA from Courtauld Institute of Art.
Dido Penny
Associate Director, Business Manager
+44 20 7389 2794
dpenny@christies.com
London
Venetia Jolly
Cataloguer and Sale Coordinator
+44 207 389 2588
vjolly@christies.com
London
Venetia joined Christie’s in 2021 having previously worked at The Althorp Estate, The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and The British Museum. Venetia has worked in Private & Iconic Collections since 2022, during which time she has handled a number of notable iconic single-owner collection sales, including Sixty Years of James Bond, Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone, and The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection.

Venetia holds a joint Bachelor’s degree in History and Art History from Newcastle University and a Master’s degree in History of Art from University College London.
Olivia Wilson
Cataloguer and Sale Coordinator
+44 (0) 207 752 3383
owilson@christies.com
London
Olivia joined Christie’s in 2022 as a Sale Coordinator in the Private & Iconic Collections department, also becoming a Cataloguer for the department in 2023. Olivia has handled a number of notable single owner collection sales, including The Robin and Rupert Hambro Collection, Ancient to Modern Art from the Mougins Museum of Classical Art and The Pattie Boyd Collection.

Olivia holds a Masters Degree in Art Business at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art.