Russian Art

For over five decades, Christie’s has led the Russian Art market, setting the benchmark for expertise, record-breaking results and offering works of the highest calibre. This legacy is exemplified by two landmark world auction records: Petrov-Vodkin’s Still Life with Lilac, which achieved an extraordinary £9.3 million in June 2019 — making it the most expensive painting ever sold in a Russian art sale — and the magnificent Rothschild Fabergé Egg, which realised £8.9 million in November 2007, the highest price ever paid at auction for a Russian work of art.

Christie’s curated Russian Art sales previously set world auction records for over 50 artists, including Serov, Goncharova, Annenkov and Aivazovsky, among many others, reinforcing our status as the auction house of choice for masterpieces. In addition, in response to the growing demand for private sales, we recently successfully negotiated the sale of a Nicholas Roerich masterpiece.

We continue to achieve record prices for Fabergé and Russian works of art, further solidifying our leadership in this category. Christie’s is renowned for being entrusted with some of the world’s most significant private collections, including those of the Woolf, Clore, Forbes and Kazan families. Most recently, in March 2025, we facilitated the private sale of an important group of Fabergé pieces formerly in the Wernher Collection at Luton Hoo, ensuring that this historic collection remains in the UK.

Following the success of recent sales of , Russian works of art and paintings, we are now inviting consignments for private sales and for our curated auctions in London, New York and Paris. While dedicated Russian Art sales are currently on hold, we continue to strategically position Russian paintings and works of art within our cross-category auctions, ensuring maximum exposure to our global collector base and delivering outstanding results for our consignors. In addition to our auction services, we are pleased to offer bespoke private sales, providing greater flexibility for consignors and on-demand sourcing for collectors.

In today’s increasingly masterpiece-driven market, Christie’s is uniquely positioned to provide expert guidance and tailored strategies to optimise the success of every sale. We invite you to contact us to explore private sale opportunities, auction consignments or to receive a complimentary and confidential valuation.
Vibrant painting of lilacs in a glass vase juxtaposed with a silver box and envelopes on a blue background.

Upcoming auctions

VIEW PAST AUCTIONS
A collection of eclectic vintage objects including jewelry boxes, animal figurines, a clock, and decorative items.

Request an estimate

Get a complimentary valuation in three simple steps with our online estimate tool.

GET STARTED

Contact us

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

  • Aleksandra Babenko

    Aleksandra Babenko

    Head of Department, Russian Paintings Specialist

    London

    Aleksandra joined the Russian Art department at Christie's in 2012 having previously worked for a number of art galleries, museums and auction houses in Russia and England. Aleksandra has a strong background in Restoration and Art History having completed her two MAs in Fine Art and Restoration at the St Petersburg Academy of Art & Design and in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London.

    Aleksandra is responsible for securing key consignments for Russian paintings and overseas cataloguing, researching and catalogue production for Russian pictures offered at auction and for private sales across the company. Over the past decade Aleksandra has contributed to the phenomenal success of the Russian Art category at Christie’s and has been instrumental in achieving many world record prices, most notably uncovering Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin’s masterpiece Still life with lilac, which was sold for £9.3 million (London, 2019) to became the most expensive Russian painting ever sold in a Russian sale.
  • Margo Oganesian

    Margo Oganesian

    Head of Department, Fabergé and Russian Works of Art

    London

    Margo joined Christie’s in 2013. She has a strong background in art history, gaining an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art, in addition to fourteen years of commercial gallery and auction house experience. Margo has been instrumental in securing Christie’s leading position on the RussianWorks of Art and Fabergé market. Margo was involved in the iconic sale of the Important Collection of Masterpieces and Imperial Treasures in November 2017, which included the silver rhinoceros automaton and the model of a sedan chair by Fabergé. Most recently, she oversaw the sale of the Duchess of Abercorn's Fabergé collection and the iconic Fabergé masterpieces from the Harry Woolf collection. Her in-depth research and business getting significantly contributed to Christie's lead in this category.
  • Eleonora Pontiggia

    Eleonora Pontiggia

    Sales Coordinator, Classic Art Group

    London

    Eleonora Pontiggia is a Sales Coordinator for the Classic Art Group, based in London. Eleonora joined Christie’s in 2020 in the Old Master Paintings department before moving on to work with the Estates, Appraisal & Valuations team as a Valuation Coordinator. In 2024 she joined the Classic Art Group as Sales Coordinator working primarily with the Antiquities and Ceramics departments. Eleonora holds a Master Degree in Art History and Art World Practice from Christie’s Education with a particular focus on English and European Decorative Arts.

Latest stories

View All
A tranquil harbor scene at sunset featuring a gondola and sailing ships against a backdrop of a city skyline.

Why wait for the next auction?

Buy or sell on your schedule with Christie’s Private Sales.

DISCOVER NOW

Buying and selling

how-to-buy-8x5

How to buy

Buying at Christie’s has never been easier or more accessible, whether you want to attend a live auction, bid online or purchase directly from our Private Sales service.

how-to-sell-8x5

How to sell

Selling your art or object at Christie’s is a smooth experience. We’ll dedicate our global network and art market expertise to get the best price for your item.

find-what-you-love

Frequently asked questions

Need help? Find your answers in our list of frequently asked questions — from online account creation to buying, selling and Private Sales.

Loading component...

Footer

© Christie's 2025