Christie’s 2024 holiday gift guide

The original UK film poster for Star Wars, 1977

In 1977, twin artists Tim and Greg Hildebrandt, also known as the Brothers Hildebrandt, produced this poster design for the British release of George Lucas’s Star Wars. ‘Incredibly, the first version of it — without the droids — was created in a feverish, non-stop effort over just 36 hours!’ Greg told the Los Angeles Times in 2010.

The unexpected success of the film prompted the studio to commission another, more commercial design by British poster artist Tom Chantrell. The Hildebrandt design was thus withdrawn following a very limited release, making this one of the rarest and most sought-after Star Wars posters on the market.

James Bond 007 x The Macallan whisky

In 2022, the James Bond film franchise celebrated its 60th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, The Macallan, Bond’s whisky of choice, released a collection of six limited-edition bottles inspired by the six decades of 007 on screen.

The packaging of each bottle features an original illustration to denote the decade it represents, while the single-malt whisky within, developed by Macallan master distiller Kirsteen Campbell, reflects the strength and character of the secret service agent.

‘This six-bottle set is incredibly collectable, because the bottles are not often offered together,’ says Charles Foley, a Wine & Spirits specialist at Christie’s in London.

A Van Cleef & Arpels ‘ruban mystérieux’ necklace

Van Cleef & Arpels is celebrated for jewels that suggest fluidity and movement. This magnificent ‘ruban mystérieux’ necklace comes with three interchangeable centre elements: a Mystery-set sapphire bow; a classic diamond bow; and a ruby-set drape, made to resemble fabric, which may also be worn as a brooch. A beautiful expression of the brand’s ingenuity and savoir-faire, it would make a singularly indulgent gift for the special person in your life.

Christie’s Education courses

Surprise your favourite budding art connoisseur with one of the expertly curated courses at Christie’s Education. Our extensive catalogue of self-directed online courses covers a wide range of subjects, from art-market economics to the history of jewellery.

Prefer live events? Opt for one of the in-person courses scheduled to take place in our London, New York and Hong Kong headquarters in 2025. Whether it’s ‘Inside the Art Market’ in London or a deep-dive into art law in Hong Kong, there’s something to suit every interest and level of experience.

Use the code HOLIDAY15 for a 15 per cent discount on selected courses.

A pair of animal-form papier mâché boxes and covers

Lovers of Asian art will fall head over heels for this quirky pair of multicoloured papier mâché boxes and covers. Dating from Japan’s Meiji Period (1868-1912), they would make excellent jewellery boxes or bedside containers for precious keepsakes. A similar pair, from around 1840, can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

An Exceptional Diamond Birkin by Hermès

The handbags in the Hermès Exceptional Collection combine the products of two of the brand’s most important ateliers — leather goods and jewellery — and thus represent the pinnacle of Hermès luxury. ‘For collectors of Hermès handbags and jewellery, the Exceptional Collection is the ultimate in desirability,’ says Rachel Koffsky, Christie’s international head of Handbags & Accessories.

This Exceptional shiny red Hermès Birkin 30 has been handcrafted from porosus crocodile leather. It features around 10 carats of white, brilliant diamonds and 18k white gold hardware weighing in at more than 170g. These bags are produced in extremely limited quantities, and collectors everywhere take note when they come to auction.

A rare Patek Philippe ‘Aquanaut Luce’

This extremely rare Patek Philippe ‘Aquanaut Luce’, with a diamond-set case and ‘adventurous khaki’ octagonal dial, would surely please any collector of luxury vintage watches. Originally launched in 2004 to diversify the brand’s Aquanaut family, it combines contemporary chic with Patek’s exquisite craftsmanship to dazzling effect.

Dom Pérignon rosé from the cellar at Skigaarden

If you’re planning to celebrate in style with premium fizz, look no further than this case of Dom Pérignon rosé champagne from the cellar at Skigaarden, a luxury ski resort in the heart of the Norwegian mountains.

According to wine specialist Charles Foley, the 2006 vintage has notes of festive baking — think buttered walnuts, raspberry cream, dried figs and espresso. You can also expect an abundance of juicy dark fruits, including blackberry and redcurrant. Perfect for toasting the holiday season or for ringing in the New Year.

A winter landscape by Andreas Schelfhout

Andreas Schelfhout was one of the most important painters of the Dutch Romantic period. His atmospheric winter scenes, with frozen canals and ice skaters, were hugely popular in his lifetime, and established his reputation far beyond his native Holland.

This winter scene from 1844 exemplifies his ability to balance light and dark, and horizontal and vertical elements, to create rhythmic coherence and compositional dynamism. In the same European collection for more than a century, it comes to market for the first time in its history.

A Raymond Templier diamond brooch

Elevate any festive ensemble with this striking diamond brooch by Raymond Templier, a French jeweller best known for his Art Deco designs juxtaposing black and white, matte and shiny, gleaming and frosted elements. Made around 1955, this statement piece features round brilliant, old and baguette-cut diamonds in a platinum and 18k white gold setting. Templier closed his business in 1965, so his creations attract a great deal of interest when they appear at auction. Get your bids in early.

A ‘Pony Begonia’ lamp from Tiffany Studios

This extremely rare Tiffany Studios ‘Pony Begonia’ table lamp will delight those with an eye for design. Known for revolutionising the art of glassmaking in America at the turn of the 20th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany, the firm’s founder, often turned to the natural world for inspiration.

The colours of the leaded-glass shade — sunrise and deep cherry red, peachy-orange and canary yellow — beautifully complement the patinated bronze base, which is cast in the form of a tree. Originally purchased from Tiffany Studios around 1910, it has remained in the collection of the same Swiss family ever since. It’s a rare opportunity to acquire one of Tiffany Studios’ most desirable designs.

A pair of Claude Lalanne ‘Mistletoe’ earrings

As well as producing sculptural work inspired by the botanical world, Claude Lalanne made beautiful, delicate jewellery featuring sinuous arrangements of tendrils, berries and leaves. With party season in full swing, this pair of silver gilt and pearl ‘Mistletoe’ earrings will add elegance and glamour to any festive look.

Two Qing dynasty jade pomanders

Jade pomanders, such as this pair, were particularly popular at the Qing court. They were usually filled with aromatic herbs and hung around the waist. The white jade example is finely carved and pierced with a central lotus design, while the yellow jade piece features red and brown beads and a carved seven-character inscription on one side.

A dazzling Reflet Pompon watch by Boucheron

A signature Boucheron motif, the ‘Pompon’ tassel has adorned everything from earrings and rings to necklaces and watches. For collectors of vintage jewellery watches, this dazzling Reflet Pompon watch (ref. WA026010) will make an extra-special gift. It features a pavé-set diamond dial and three-strand diamond strap that mimics the movement of fabric. It can be worn multiple ways, and the tassel can be detached and worn around the neck.

A coloured illustration of Paddington Bear

With the new Paddington Bear film, Paddington in Peru, appearing on a screen near you, now is the perfect time to gift an original illustration of its beloved furry hero. While many of Peggy Fortnum’s illustrations were black-ink line drawings (much like the image on the reverse of this lot), she was also known to use watercolour. Bringing together both her work in ink and her use of colour, this unique double-sided drawing will hang handsomely in any home interior.

The Art Front: The Defense of French Collections 1939-1945 by Rose Valland

You can never go wrong with a brilliant book, and this might be one of the best art books of the year. First published in French in 1961, The Art Front: The Defense of French Collections 1939-1945 translates into English for the first time the remarkable story of ‘Monuments Woman’ Rose Valland.

A member of the curatorial staff at the Jeu de Paume in Paris, in contact with the French Resistance, Valland secretly recorded the systematic theft of artworks by the Nazis during the Second World War, taking notes on works, collection names and the repositories where looted items were stored. Her information led to the discovery of multiple stashes of stolen art, and she would later be instrumental in the process of returning objects to their rightful owners.

Published and edited by the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, with financial support from Christie’s, and translated by Ophélie Jouan — an art historian and Rose Valland specialist — the book includes more than 100 historical photographs, maps and other images. It is available to order now through the foundation.

A Chinese ceramic parfumier

This oval parfumier and cover is made of famille verte porcelain, a type of Chinese ceramic introduced during the Kangxi period (1662-1772) which was defined by its green overglaze enamels. It has a squared loop handle in imitation woven bamboo, and the pierced body is decorated with rectangular panels, each enclosing a flower spray.

A group of important NASA photographs

Unsure what to give that special someone who has almost everything? This important group of NASA photographs might do the trick. It includes more than 100 images of celebrated pioneers of space exploration, including Neil Armstrong, William Anders and James McDivitt, some of which have been signed by the astronauts.

Explore art from antiquity to the 21st century at Classic Week, until 12 December 2024 at Christie’s in London. On view now

Luxury auctions at Christie’s: Remarkable jewellery, watches, wine and more to close the year in style, until 19 December

Browse Christie’s Private Sales

Discover Christie’s Shop