Cultural Stewardship
Christie’s values the role we have played in stewarding great works of art with our clients for more than 250 years. Whether they are buying or selling, Christie’s clients count on us to understand both the cultural and commercial value of art and to ensure the responsible sale of their objects.
As the ideas and historical perspectives that shape the art world continue to evolve and change, Christie’s continues to adapt and to advance our own understanding and approach to our global business practices.
Cultural Property and Provenance
The looting of archaeological sites and the destruction of historic buildings and monuments continues to be a major concern in the art world. Christie’s wants to play our part in sending a clear message to those who participate in the illicit trade in cultural property that property looted and trafficked from conflict zones cannot be sold in the open market.
When handling antiquities or items of cultural property, Christie’s ensures that it adheres to all relevant laws, bilateral treaties and regulations that are applicable in the sale site for such works of art.
As custodians of the art that passes through our doors, Christie’s recognises that we have a duty to carefully research the art and objects we handle and sell. We devote considerable resources to investigating the provenance of objects we offer for sale. Christie's is committed not only to researching the provenance of objects, but also to understanding the history of the original sources of wealth used to acquire them.
The public nature of the auction means that our catalogues and provenance research is openly and freely accessible via our website, where they can be viewed by museums, archaeologists, collectors and general audiences worldwide and are vetted by The Art Loss Register as an additional safeguard.
Christie’s continues to be respectful of different points of view and experiences, while we remain committed to upholding the long-standing and legitimate market for cultural objects in which Christie’s has participated for generations.
