Specialists speak: the art and luxury trends on our radar in 2024

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co, Harry Winston — jewels from the important maisons. For those with avant-garde tastes — the ethereal, magical jewels of Wallace Chan.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: In Chinese Works of Art, our ‘big brand names’ are Imperial works with specific dynastic marks. This year, collectors should turn to the pristine quality porcelain from the Yongzheng Period (1723-1735) and Qianlong Period (1736-1795). The striking monochromes from these periods have an elegant aesthetic that will appeal to both dedicated Chinese antique connoisseurs and collectors with an eclectic and contemporary eye.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: This year I believe there will be strong collector interest in artists such as Sofia Crespo, Sasha Stiles, Jack Butcher, Yatreda, and Niceaunties.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: White Burgundy continues to be the darling of the fine wine world, sink into its buttery warmth. New wave Spain with names such as Comando G is thrilling and exciting. Barolo is fast gathering up its truffle laden skirts and marching into wine collectors’ conversations — they want to geek out over the villages and crus in the same way they have done with Burgundy.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: Hermès will be the maker of choice for collectors around the world. Chanel, Gucci, Dior, and Louis Vuitton will also capture the attention of luxury connoisseurs. Relative newcomers to the Handbags & Accessories collecting universe include Loro Piana and Loewe — makers that exemplify two creative poles.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: Cartier, Piaget and Breguet will continue to gain interest from more conventional collectors.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: There are so many different collecting circles these days, but the names I expect to hear will be familiar to everyone: Basquiat, Warhol, Gerhard Richter, George Condo, Joan Mitchell…

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: I expect leading artists of the 20th century such as Lalanne, Giacometti and Royère to remain at the top of the market. Exceptional provenances and rarity will matter more so than ever. For contemporary design, I also see Ingrid Donat, one of the most important designers of our time getting more and more international recognition and Mathieu Lehanneur, who designed the Olympic Torch in Paris and is opening a gallery in New York City this season, will also get great visibility, among others!

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Coloured diamonds and coloured stones. Beautiful jewels with vibrant colour and lustre are highly sought-after by collectors.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: I expect the spotlight to be on late Ming Huanghuali furniture this year. These highly coveted works from the 17th century are crafted in a distinctive hardwood with attractive joinery, and renowned for their elegance and grace.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: AI Video is having a major moment right now. We are seeing the technology develop before our eyes and artists experimenting with it. We are also seeing a surge in art on different blockchains like Ordinals on Bitcoin and art on Solana and I anticipate interest continuing to increase.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: Champagne is back in the spotlight with buyers eager for back vintages of special bottles. There is also curiosity about English Sparkling and Franciacorta, which proves the old quote about drinking fizz when I'm happy and when I'm sad.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: Collectors are captivated by extreme rarities — unusual materials such as Sterling Silver or Wicker stimulate the imagination. Extreme sizes, such as mini or maxi, will be popular. Clients are also curious about limited edition and runway iterations.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: Special shaped-watches from the 60s and 70s made in collaboration with highly-skilled jewelers / designers (Gilbert Albert, Georges Lenfant, Andrew Grima, Charles de Temple, John Donald) will be more and more sought-after.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: One trait transcends subject matter and style: that’s quality. Collectors are looking for the best quality works within their collecting category. If it’s an A+ example, it will soar at auction.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: In 2024, Design will be more and more about mixing pieces from different time periods, various materials and complementary shapes, in very personal ways: it can be about forms, where the fluid lines of Royère complement the organic shape of a Nakashima coffee table, about colours, with an ensemble of Ruelland ceramics or a jewel-like Tiffany lamp, or about the simplicity of a sculptural Giacometti lamp.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: This year is the Year of the Dragon, and that can only mean that the famous mythical creature — a very auspicious symbol in Chinese art — will reach new heights in popularity. Expect to see these fantastical forms on porcelain, furniture, jades, and textiles — adding a lively charm to each artwork.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: Technology and the tools used to create digital art makes all possibilities a reality, therefore I think we are still in a phase of experimentation and we will see a vast variety of shapes, colours and silhouettes without any particular predominant trend.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: The magnum is the ideal bottle size! It ages well and it is ideal for a group as a bottle disappears in five glasses! Large formats should be on your mind if you are hosting parties, they scream party starter.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: In 2024, be sure that shades of red will dominate — whether a bright cherry red, or a deep burgundy, these hues will be extremely popular, especially when paired with neutrals such as crème or silver. Go-with-everything black, brown, and navy will demand a premium. On the other end of the spectrum, bright shades will be a bright spot in the dark winter months, such as Sun Yellow or Rose Pop.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: The brighter the colours and the stranger the shape, the better!

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: We’re going back to the basics: quadrilateral canvases.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Genius can often lie in the most unexpected associations of texture, colours or materials. We see more and more collections that bring together so many different artists and time period, in brilliant ways. Placing a cubist vase by Jean Dunand, in black and red lacquer, on a contemporary table by Wendell Castle, installing a parchment chair by Carlo Bugatti next to a table by Claude Lalanne… Collecting across categories to make one’s collection the perfect reflection of one’s personality.

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Antique jewellery made famous from Netflix period dramas like Bridgerton. Period pieces can be so fascinating as they offer insight into life in the past.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: If trends come full circle, it might be time for Tang pottery again! This 7th to 10th century pottery was very popular for collectors in the 1990s — these pieces have amazing sculptural qualities, colourful and dynamic glazes, and they tell an important story about Chinese cultural and material history.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: With the market maturing at a rapid pace, I think early artworks on blockchains will have a comeback in the market this year. Also I believe some collectible PFPs (profile pictures), which were popular in the height of the 2021 bull market, will have a comeback as founders and brands change strategies and distribution models.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: Bordeaux is the comeback King. There are waves in the wine market but buyers always return to the hearty, powerful and sturdy draw of Cabernet and Merlot. The ‘flight to quality’ phenomenon in uncertain times is seen with Bordeaux reds.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: In the Hermès universe, expect the comeback of Bleu Jean blue. We are patiently waiting for the return of the Constance Elan and the JPG Shoulder Birkin — two collector favorites that have been absent.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: Unusual vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe models from the 1940s to 1960s in pristine condition.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: It might not be this year, but Wade Guyton’s auction market will rise again.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Tiffany Studios is gaining more and more momentum, featured in more and more of contemporary interiors and appealing to seasoned and new collectors alike. This is such a wide market, with many different price points, from entry level to masterworks, and with an incredible array of different creations, as will be seen in our Modern Collector sale in March.

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Diamond Rolexes. They are so hard to acquire and the epitome of luxury.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: I’m currently inspired by an eclectic set of art shows I saw recently in London and New York. I was inspired by Nicole Eisenman’s vibrant and introspective paintings at Whitechapel and Frans Hals’ life-like portraits at the National Gallery that captured people with humour and joy. I’ve also been captivated by the large-scale vivid figurative paintings of Cecily Brown at the Met and Henry Taylor at the Whitney.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: I’m dreaming of Elton John’s collection which is coming to auction at Christie’s, from designer garments and jewelry to furniture, Elton’s taste was impeccable. Some of my clients are also eyeing our Watches sales.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: I adore cookbooks and photograph books, anything by Mapplethorpe and I am there. Prints are 2024’s hot ticket, especially any that have a pop of colour and limited runs. Get hold of them fast.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: Within the world of luxury, the Cartier Baignoire is having a must-have moment, and colourful, chunky Bulgari sets are divine.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: I have been obsessed with watches recently. I’m now the person who refreshes an auction page daily, waiting for the preview to appear. There’s no better way to learn about auctions than by participating in them.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: An extraordinary painting by Loie Hollowell will come up in our upcoming Post War to Present sale in New York in March 2024. Its use of abstraction, reality, play with light and volumes and evocation of the female body is fascinating.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: Hong Kong will be the definitive focal point for Chinese Art in 2024 with the upcoming opening of the new Christie’s Henderson building in the fall. The buzz has been building (pun intended!) for the past few years and I’m excited to see how the market responds.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: Paris has an exciting digital art scene I’m looking forward to visiting to meet collectors and artists alike.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: Our sales in Los Angeles continue to be very successful. The West Coast buyers are big wine lovers and eager drinkers. Hong Kong, with our new Henderson Building sale site is the centre of wine sales in Asia, but Singapore, with its new wine clubs is nipping at its heels.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: From New York to our sales in Paris and Hong Kong! Our Handbags team will be all across the globe, from Taipei, to Geneva, to Miami, and Los Angeles — and many places in between.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: Geneva will have many interesting auctions and events this year.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: The art world pegrinates from city to city, but New York is still the place to be.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Both New York and Paris will remain the capitals of the Design market in 2024. Paris has been the go-to city for the design world, and remains one of the best places to visit. New York also has been flourishing with new design venues and galleries, with several to open in 2024, including Pierre Yovanovitch, Mathieu Lehanneur.

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Cartier Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: Our yearly Asian Art Week in March is always an exciting time, with exhibitions and sales and collectors coming together for a lively experience.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: There are a great number of exciting digital art events and exhibitions throughout the year. Some notable ones include Harold Cohen at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Refik Anadol at the Serpentine Galleries, a major survey of Beeple’s work at the Deji Museum in China, NFT Paris and Bright Moments Paris, and the digital art activations at the Venice Biennale.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: La Paulée dinners are the most talked about events in wine. Huge dinners where you bring bottles and have a debauched and joyous time. Everyone likes wine sure, but they love conversation more. There is nothing better than sharing a bottle you love with a new friend as they uncork theirs for you.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: We are looking forward to NYFW, kicking off the Fashion Week season in early Feb, followed by London, Milan and Paris.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: It will be interesting to see what will be unveiled at Watches and Wonders this year.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: Anyone visiting Chicago will be talking about the Christina Ramberg Restrospective at the Art Institute. I can’t wait to see that, and also the Mary Cassatt exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Last November was the first instance of Paris Plus Art Basel, and a very exciting moment for the Design market with the Rhinocrétaire by François-Xavier Lalanne selling for $19M. Paris had such great energy and momentum, and I am excited to see what this year brings. We also look forward to the spring in New York, with our 20/21 marquee week coinciding with TEFAF.

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: Wallace Chan as he is ever-evolving, ever-transforming. The jewellery artist is also a world-famous sculptor creating for the future. His exhibition ‘Transcendence’ during the Venice Biennale this April will be the talk of the city.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: Artificial intelligence will continue to be the center of conversation in the digital art space and beyond.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: Celebrity ‘made’ wines have had their moment and we have all moved beyond all that. But, celebrities who love wine. That is worth talking about. Noble Rot Magazine interviews famous names who love wine and there is a frisson of excitement in knowing that Louis Theroux loves the same Loire Chenin that you do.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: Is quiet-luxury here to stay?

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: With so much focus and speculation recently on contemporary artists, I feel like the conversation shifted back to established, canonised names last year. Exhibitions like Mark Rothko at Fondation Louis Vuitton and Vermeer at the Riksmuseum gave everyone something to talk about while the working artists were left to work in peace for a moment. Let’s see if that continues…

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Collaboration between design and fashion will be more and more at the centre of creativity, with a multi-disciplinary approach supported by the access to technologies and more and more ways for artists to express themselves: the minimalist furniture of Rick Owens, striking pieces by Virgil Abloh, or multi-faceted creations by Harry Nuriev.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: Our March sale features an incredibly rare Ge dish from the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). It’s an exceptional piece — from one of the most sought-after kilns of that period — and it’s rarely seen on the market! It has a very sophisticated design of a creamy-coloured glaze, intentionally suffused with two distinct colours of crackle. To top it off, the piece has impeccable provenance from C. F. Yao, the Stephen Junkunc Collection, and the Linyushanren Collection.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: Cryptopunks with Ape, Alien, or Zombie attributes continue to capture the zeitgeist of the digital art market. These attributes within the Cryptopunks collection are much harder to acquire due to most, if not all, being in private collections and not for sale.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: Unicorn wines which are rare, sought-after bottles with superb provenance and a famous pedigree. Marius Gentaz-Dervieux was a great producer in the Rhône, as was Henri Jayer in Burgundy. As they no longer make wines, old vintages are fought over.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: I am looking forward to seeing the first Disco Faubourgs in person soon!

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: I visited the Degas/Manet exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum and left thinking how wonderful it would be to live with such paintings. Of course these works are unattainable now, but the paradigm should be to select a painting that will one day hang in a museum, and make future connoisseurs drool.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: The ultimate collector’s dream remains, in my opinion, Eileen Gray’s Dragon Chair from the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s auction. It has become a myth: the most expensive design piece ever sold at auction, designed by one of the most extraordinary artists of the 20th Century and from one of the most legendary collections that has ever been on the market.

Mei Giam, Jewellery, London: The allure of natural coloured diamonds and coloured gemstones as it is a unique way of expressing oneself.

Vasiliki Paloympis, Chinese Art, New York: I always hope that collectors gravitate towards what they love, above all else. My hope is that the trend is towards objects that inspire people individually. Chinese textiles are truly untapped for their decorative quality — these beautiful, painterly silks can bring so much colour and texture to the walls of a home.

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: I hope to see female and other diverse artists gain recognition and command higher prices. I also hope to continue seeing museum and institutional support of digital artists through solo exhibitions, installations, and artist residency programs.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: I hope for new cuisines, new chefs, new adventures and new friends. I also hope wine bottles get lighter, packaging gets less Russian dollesque and wine becomes more green friendly.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: I am quite sure that we will uncover holy grail handbags for discerning collectors around the world!

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: Hard times have always stimulated innovation and this year might be more difficult than the previous ones. I hope the brands will come out with new interesting designs.

Michael Baptist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York: Somewhere in a little Midwestern town I hope the greatest artist of our generation is born and that they grow up to change our children’s lives through art.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: Functional design by artists: tables by Roy Lichtenstein, bold chairs by Gaetano Pesce, screens by Salvador Dali…

Sebastian Sanchez, Digital Art, New York: I’m looking forward to digital artists studying Art History for inspiration from artists and movements that precede them. Whether it be Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism, or Bauhaus, artists inspired by other artists is a trend I hope never goes out of style.

Charles Foley, Wine, London: That wine is for sharing. The best feeling in life is the anticipation before dinner; cooking, laying the table, uncorking the wines and waiting for guests. It is the eagerness for happy memories, conversation, deliciousness and friendship, which wine binds together, which is timeless.

Rachel Koffsky, Handbags and Accessories, New York: I am looking forward to the unusual shapes from the 2024 Spring runways to make their way into collectors’ closets! Expect oversize shapes, and funky gold hardware.

Alexandre Gouverneyre, Watches, Geneva: A good vintage Rolex Daytona, the mother of all collectible watches.

Daphne Riou, Design, New York: French Art Deco is the epitome of chic, functionality and quality. An exceptional pair of armchairs by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann in silvered bronze and Macassar ebony, a stunning alabaster lamp by Pierre Chareau: these will always remain in style and define the highest level of sophistication of an interior.