How to build a collection — expert advice from Christie’s specialists

Christie’s specialists from across the globe share their insights into categories spanning a huge range of interests, whether it be contemporary art or Chinese porcelain, rare clocks, early maps, firearms, netsuke or ancient jewellery

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NFT 101: Collecting guide to ‘non-fungible tokens’ Christie’s explains everything you need to know, and answers all the questions you've secretly been wondering, about an NFT, or ‘non-fungible token’, in this NFT 101: Collecting Guide	How is an artwork appraised? From craquelure to patina, watermarks to brushstrokes… Our specialists on what they’re looking for when someone brings a work of art into Christie’s
100 art-world Instagram accounts to follow right now: Artists Banksy and Damien Hirst are there, but can you guess the other names on our list of influential Instagram feeds?	Everything you need to know about hanging art Award-winning designers, a museum director, and Christie’s own specialists and art handlers share their expert tips
How to light your artworks Two leading industry insiders give their tips for achieving museum-quality illumination at home	How to choose the right frame for your picture 10 expert tips on finding the perfect frame — and glass — by Matthew Jones of John Jones London
5 things you can learn from the back of a painting The most-often overlooked aspect of an artwork is by no means its least important, as specialist Tom Rooth explains	7 important things to know about artist signatures Christie’s specialists, a gallerist, a conservator and an expert consultant share their inside knowledge with Holly Black
How to read drawings — 7 things to know about inscriptions A new display at the Courtauld Gallery shows how they can shed light on a drawing’s purpose, history and use	Collecting guide: Old Master drawings Seven expert tips on collecting, whether you seek affordable works on paper or a museum-quality masterpiece
Collecting guide: Old Master prints International specialist Tim Schmelcher charts the evolution of a field in which works by the likes of Daumier or Rembrandt can offer exceptional value	A new collector’s guide to Renaissance bronzes Nine points for lovers of timeworn statuary to consider — from Venetian vs Florentine foundries to patina and whether or not to polish
Old Master paintings: 5 things for new buyers to consider Your first Old Master doesn’t have to be a Rubens or a Rembrandt — in fact prices start at the surprisingly affordable	Collecting guide: The Brueghel dynasty As works by Pieter Brueghel the Younger and Jan Brueghel the Elder come to auction, we unpick art history’s most tangled family tree
Strike a pose — The changing face of full-length portraits Andrew Graham-Dixon on how full-length portraits have been used in history to boost the status of nobles, kings and statesmen	Collecting guide: The third generation of Pre-Raphaelites Specialist Sarah Reynolds highlights the sumptuous work of the Pre-Raphaelites’ second and third generations
Why would you buy a portrait of someone you didn’t know? Specialist Melissa van Vliet answers key questions about 18th-century portraiture	Collecting guide: Spanish colonial art An introduction to the art produced across three centuries, with expert insights from leading collectors
How to mix classic art with contemporary design Expert advice from interior designer Phillip Thomas, who has spent his life ‘travelling the world, looking at beautiful things’	Collecting guide: Orientalist Art An expert introduction to a category featuring 19th-century European visions of mosques, markets and harems in far-off lands
Collecting guide: 7 questions about Belle Époque art Deborah Coy, Head of European Art, is your guide to the art from an era characterised by high fashion, optimism and prosperity	Collecting guide: American Impressionism An expert introduction to the movement, from its origins in France to its flowering on a private island off the coast of New England
Collecting guide: British painters who embraced Impressionism Alastair Smart and specialist Sarah Reynolds take a closer look at the movement’s largely overlooked adherents across the English Channel	From fruit to frozen blood — 7 issues in the conservation of contemporary art The materials used in conceptual art, from blood to chocolate, raise tricky questions for contemporary conservators
A brief history of Constructivism Everything you need to know about a movement that originated in early 20th-century Russia and which has impacted modern art across the globe	The Barbizon School: ‘They had a strong belief in painting things as they saw them’ How a tiny French village became the centre of a revolutionary art movement that would influence the Impressionists
German Expressionism: An essential guide A closer look at a movement from the early 20th century that attracts growing interest among collectors and continues to influence contemporary art	A guide to the CoBrA group: perhaps the last true avant-garde movement of the 20th century More than 70 years since its founding, we look back on the radical movement’s brief, furious life
Mountain highs From chalet hearths to Alpine ridges: a brief history of Europe’s top winter resorts in classic posters	The art of propaganda Posters expert Sophie Churcher on the powerful artworks that were vital components of Soviet political strategy and ideology
Art, revolution and the ‘Golden Age of the Cuban Poster’ Specialist Marysol Nieves appraises a collection of 38 posters by Cuba’s most innovative graphic artists	Collecting Guide: 8 poster designers to follow at auction Posters specialists Nicolette Tomkinson and Sophie Churcher profile some of the most collectible graphics masters, from Lester Beall to A. M. Cassandre
Collecting Guide: 9 questions to ask about comic books and cartoons Expert Olivier Souillé has the answers for new buyers wishing to collect works by the likes of Hergé and Uderzo	‘It’s a teeny weeny fishing port, it’s quite extraordinary’: St Ives and the second generation of British abstract artists In the 1940s and 1950s a new wave of artists flocked to the Cornish fishing town, convinced that ‘colour is the only direction for painting’
Collecting Guide: Arte Povera A primer on the provocative Italian movement of the 1960s which declared that art could be made from anything — including horses	The Chicago Imagists: A primer Deborah Wilk takes a closer look at the irreverant practice of the Hairy Who and the Chicago Imagists, whose works feature in First Open \| Online, running 25 February to 8 March
Collecting guide: the artists who gave us our vision of the American West A small group of 19th-century forerunners helped to shape a national identity for the United States that still resonates	Collecting guide: West Coast art From Hockney to Baldessari, Ruscha to Thiebaud — how the countercultural figures who flocked to California in the Sixties became art establishment names
The movements that shaped Japanese post-war art Know your Gutai from your Mono-ha, and discover the artists who threw away their paintbrushes and scrubbed the streets of Tokyo	Why Britain was first to go Pop Pop art was not an all-American phenomenon — the UK, in fact, was where it started. Illustrated with works offered on 2 March in London
Collecting guide: 5 things to know about Street art Discover how works by pioneering street artists are finding their way into the homes of collectors	The 10 commandments for new collectors Leading specialists, gallerists and dealers advise on making that first foray into the contemporary art market
The new collector’s guide to Asian contemporary art Who’s hot? Which regions are undervalued? These and other questions answered, together with works offered in our online sale ending 12 March 2021	10 Chinese contemporary artists you need to know Ahead of our Shanghai autumn auctions, here’s an essential who’s who of the most exciting artists working in China today
Hot right now: 6 American post-war and contemporary artists to have in your collection Burgeoning profiles, rising markets — and works offered in our Post-War to Present auction in New York	Korean contemporary art: The hot list Five artists whose radical ideas have critically affected the developments of contemporary Korean art
Contemporary African art: who to buy now In the run-up to 1-54 Online, Powered by Christie’s, leading curators, collectors and critics pick the names to look out for	Collecting guide: Middle Eastern Modern and Contemporary art Post-War and Contemporary Art specialist Hala Khayat discusses the emerging trends and most sought-after artists in Middle Eastern art
Collecting guide: Middle Eastern modern and contemporary artists A guide to the Middle East’s leading modern and contemporary artists and art movements, illustrated with lots offered at Christie’s	Collecting Guide: Cuban Modern and Contemporary art Expert insights into a category witnessing a sharp rise in new buyers — illustrated with works from our upcoming sale in New York
The A-Z of prints and multiples Everything you need to know about the artists, print processes, studios and terminology — plus a whole heap more	Collecting Guide: 11 key things to know about Prints & Multiples From techniques to paper selections, find out everything you need to know to build your own collection of prints
From acid baths to robots Discover the artistic processes behind the many forms of printmaking	The new collector’s guide to photographs Specialist Jude Quinn considers the three key questions faced by buyers new to the art form
Street life: the photographers who captured the spirit of post-war New York New York of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s was fertile ground for a generation of emerging street photographers, from Louis Faurer to Diane Arbus	Why smart collectors are focusing on fashion photography Fashion pictures have long been a staple of photography auctions, but why has 2019 seen such momentum in the market?
Collecting guide: Japanese post-war photography An introduction to the key artists, who combined Western influences with a deep Japanese sensibility. Illustrated with works offered in New York on 31 March	How to commission a piece for your home Olivier Dupon, a champion of contemporary crafts, offers seven key tips on working with craftsmen and makers
Collecting guide: Chinese archaic bronzes Christie’s Chinese ceramics and works of art specialists on what to look for when collecting Chinese archaic bronzes	Why Chinese archaic bronzes ‘take your imagination to another place’ Specialist Kate Hunt tours the collection of archaic bronzes at Compton Verney
Collecting guide: Ming-dynasty art and furniture A primer on the exceptionally varied artistic production of this period, considered a golden age in Chinese culture	Collecting Guide: Scholars’ rocks We take a closer look at these sculptural pieces that have inspired Chinese Emperors, poets and painters
Collecting Guide: 7 things to know about Chinese traditional painting International specialist Kim Yu on why age-old themes, materials and techniques continue to flourish among artists and collectors	Chinese contemporary ink paintings: a guide to the artists you should know Chinese paintings specialist Carmen Shek Cerne introduces the artists who have rewritten the rules of classical tradition
An expert’s introduction to Chinese calligraphy Chinese paintings specialist Dr. Malcolm McNeill is your guide to this historic art form, which is highly valued as an outward expression of the artist’s psychology	Collecting Guide: 5 Chinese traditional calligraphy artists to follow at auction Specialist Jessie Or introduces us to some of the leading figures within the traditional Chinese art of calligraphy
Collecting guide: 10 things to know about classical Chinese furniture From the most sought-after woods to the importance of climate control — illustrated with standout works from our sales	Collecting guide: 10 things you need to know about Chinese ceramics An expert guide to palettes, glazes, reign marks and different kilns. Illustrated with works offered at Christie’s
Chinese ceramics — An expert guide to glazes Find out more about Chinese decorative techniques, and how and why glazes evolved via crackles, ’tear marks’ and blushes	Demystifying Chinese reign marks — everything you need to know to get started Kate Hunt on finding and reading reign marks, their history and how to tell genuine fakes from ‘apocryphal’ marks
Inside the Chinese scholar’s studio Scholars’ objects were the luxury goods of their time — but they represented much more than monetary wealth	Collecting Guide: 5 things to know about Himalayan bronzes Christie’s specialist Leiko Coyle offers tips on collecting sculpture from the Himalayas
Collecting guide: Buddhist sculpture Specialist Tristan Bruck advises on how to identify valuable pieces in different styles and materials from across Asia	Collecting Guide: 7 things to consider when collecting Chinese porcelains The Chinese porcelain category can seem daunting to a new collector. Here, specialist Margaret Gristina offers tips for narrowing the scope of field
Collecting Guide: Tang-dynasty sancai In October 2016 The Pavilion Sale — Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Christie’s Hong Kong presented the Dexinshuwu Collection of exceptional sancai-glazed pieces	Blue notes: A guide to Chinese blue-and-white porcelain As Chinese Ceramics specialist Joan Ho explains, when it comes to porcelain, not all blues are the same
Collecting guide: Song ceramics Top tips for collecting Song ceramics, from learning how to identify an original to displaying intricate works	My passion: Song ceramics Robert M. Mowry, Senior Consultant at Christie’s in New York, discusses four Song dynasty vessels that represent ‘the ultimate achievement in their techniques’
Song ceramic pillows — so much more than a cool aid As well as keeping the bed cool, ancient Chinese ceramic pillows made for auspicious gifts and warded off evil spirits	How to read symbols in Chinese art Specialist Ivy Chan on the significance of traditional motifs, from clever monkeys to dignified peacocks
Say it with flowers: An expert guide to the symbolism of Chinese ceramic decoration Specialist Katie Lundie peels back the layers of meaning in peonies, jasmine, morning glories, camellias and other blooms	Collecting guide: Chinese celadon ware ceramics As this 1,000-year-old Ru tea bowl comes to auction in Hong Kong, we look at the evolution of the grey-green ware from Yue to Yaozhou to Ru
Collecting guide: Chinese robes From the colour of your outfit to the number of dragons on your coat, how Chinese robes told everyone exactly who you were	‘Beauty and function’ — The striking simplicity of Ming-dynasty furniture Constructed 400 or more years ago, these pieces represent the apex of Chinese furniture production. Illustrated with lots offered in London on 7 November
Collecting guide: Teachings of the thangka From wrathful protector deities to maps of the cosmic realm — five variations on the mystical paintings on cloth...	Collecting Guide: 5 things to know about Chinese snuff bottles Specialist Sherese Tong advises on how to start a collection of these diminutive but perfectly formed works of art
Collecting Guide: Chinese export porcelain ‘Made in China’ was once the ultimate mark of sophistication for Western porcelain enthusiasts, as specialist Becky MacGuire explains	Chinese export silver – a guide for new collectors As an extraordinary collection of Chinese export silver comes to Christie’s Online, specialist Jill Waddell explains why it reflects a unique period of cultural exchange
A brief history of ‘soldier’ vases The Tibor Collection includes 19 soldier vases, bold and colossal forms admired by specialist Becky Maguire	A new collector’s guide to Japanese lacquer Lacquer has been used in Japanese art for millennia. Our Head of Japanese Art, Anastasia von Seibold, explains how to start your collection
Collecting guide: 9 things to know about Japanese screens Professor Matthew McKelway is your guide to these exquisitely beautiful emblems of wealth and power	Collecting Guide: 5 things to know about netsuke The ornately carved toggles were once an integral part of Japanese fashion. Today, as expert Hollis Goodall explains, they’re the ultimate collector’s item
Collecting guide: 5 things to know about Meiji-period art A primer on the art of Meiji-era Japan and its many influences, illustrated with works offered in our upcoming sales	Everything you need to know about Yixing pottery The Curator Emeritus at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco offers an expert overview, featuring highlights from The Irving Collection
The A-Z of furniture: Terminology to know when buying at auction From applique and back splats to veneering and wingbacks, an essential glossary of furniture terms	Kirill Istomin’s guide to consummate interiors Interior designer Kirill Istomin’s 10 tricks of the trade, from sourcing unique pieces to wallpapering the ceiling
Collecting Guide: 7 things to know about paperweights From snake weights to unintended air bubbles — why there’s more to paperweights than meets the eye	What the expert looks for... No.2 — Böttger stoneware Christie’s specialist Dominic Simpson shares his expertise on pieces by the alchemist who paved the way for Meissen
Collecting Guide: Meissen porcelain European Ceramics specialist Dominic Simpson on porcelain’s first appearance in Europe in the 18th century, which pieces to seek out and how to spot a fake	Collecting guide: Sèvres porcelain The story of the French factory founded in the 18th century, from evolutions in style to the monarchs who gladly waited years for their commissions to be created
‘Luminous and beautiful beyond all other pictures’ — the rise of pastel in the 18th century A cheaper, quicker alternative to oil paint, pastel became the perfect medium for portraits of the middle class	A collector’s guide to Dutch landscape painters 10 names to know, from Van Goyen to Van Ruisdael. Illustrated with works offered at Christie’s
Collecting guide: 18th-century French cabinet-makers Specialist Will Strafford looks at some of the key names of the period, from Boulle to Riesener, Carlin, Cressent and Vandercruse	Thomas Chippendale Snr: ‘The Shakespeare of English furniture makers’ As a historic piece from Harewood House comes to auction, experts discuss the life and legacy of Britain’s greatest cabinet-maker
In the field: a collectors guide to sporting art The leading artists of a genre that ranges from horse racing to fox-hunting, fishing, game-shooting and hare-coursing. Illustrated with works offered at Christie’s	Collecting Guide: Mounted porcelain What are mounted porcelains, who made them and what should a collector look for? Specialist Will Strafford supplies the answers
Collecting Guide: Chandeliers and wall lights Christie’s specialist Richard Nelson offers seven tips on finding the right piece, whether your taste is for 18-century opulence, Art Deco or contemporary style	Why a vintage carpet beats all Intense and lasting colours, superb quality and fascinating narratives are just a few of the reasons an antique rug walks all over contemporary imitators
Oriental rugs: the meanings behind the designs Louise Broadhurst, Head of Christie’s Oriental Rugs & Carpets department, reveals how she reads 10 distinct designs	10 tips for displaying rugs at home Specialist Elisabeth Parker offers inspiration for transforming an interior, illustrated with picks from our May 2016 online sale
Collecting Guide: 7 key tips on silver Harry Williams-Bulkeley on everything from cutlery to candelabras and sourcing that show-stopping centrepiece	A brief history of decorative silver in 13 objects From an intricately worked 15th-century spoon to a Georg Jensen jug, via a Rococo sugar box made by the greatest silversmith of the 18th century
Collecting Guide: How to care for silver Expert tips on caring for treasured pieces — from avoiding tarnish to going easy on the Brussels sprouts	The inside track on Outsider Art — the artists to know Head of Outsider Art Cara Zimmerman profiles the artists aspiring collectors should know about
How to spot whether it’s a genuine Thomas Chippendale Christie’s furniture specialists share the telltale techniques of Britain's greatest furniture-maker	What the expert looks for… No.1 — Baccarat chandeliers A new series on how Christie’s specialists appraise valuable artworks and objects — beginning with a 19th-century Baccarat chandelier
10 questions to ask when buying Art Deco As the Design sales approach in New York, specialist Carina Villinger draws up an essential checklist for buying wisely	From pie-crust tabletops to chairs with ruffles — style and taste in American furniture Our specialists head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to trace the origins of some of America’s most coveted styles
Collecting Guide: Clocks Specialist Celia Harvey offers five points to consider when buying a clock	Barometers: a collecting guide Specialist Amelia Walker on the ingenious scientific instruments that evolved into desirable works of decorative art
Collecting guide: Cartier clocks From Belle Epoque to Art Deco, mystery clocks to prism clocks — illustrated with lots offered in our online sale, A Collection of 101 Cartier Clocks	French clocks of the 17th-19th centuries — an expert guide Christie’s Senior International Clocks Specialist Will Strafford offers points to consider when buying French clocks, from age to condition
How to navigate an antiques market Interiors specialist Richard Nelson on where to shop, how to spot the latest trends and what you should be asking	Collecting guide: 10 things to know about Tiffany lamps Christie’s Design specialists illuminate the origins of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s masterpieces in leaded glass, illustrated with lots offered at Christie’s
Collecting guide: Jean Dunand Discover why this Art Deco designer is one of the most innovative artists in non-precious metals, lacquer, and more	5 post-war furniture designers to know about An introduction to some of the most influential shapers of the post-war world of interiors, as offered in our First Open \| Home sale in September 2016
Introducing the masters of French mid-century design From Prouvé to Perriand, a quick guide to the leading figures in French mid-century design, illustrated with covetable pieces offered at Christie’s	Nordic furniture designers you need to know about Chic, timeless and durable, 20th-century Nordic furniture is more in demand than ever — especially pieces by these designers
Collecting guide: icons of Italian mid-century design A guide to the leading designers of Italian modern furniture, illustrated with outstanding pieces offered at Christie’s	‘Radical and innovative’ — the gorgeous glass of Carlo Scarpa Carlo Scarpa took the traditions of Venetian glassblowing and created some of the 20th century’s most innovative designs
Collecting guide: Gallé glass In the late 19th century Emile Gallé’s vibrant glassware helped to transform ideas of what art could be	Collecting Guide: Lalique glass A guide to the glassmaking genius of René Lalique, whose designs embraced Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modernism
Collecting guide: Picasso Ceramics From what to look for in a glaze to how to read hidden stamps — featuring upcoming works at Christie’s	Picasso ceramics: An essential guide to stamps and markings Specialist Imogen Kerr on why the artist wanted everyone to be able to own one of his works
Collecting Guide: De Stijl Specialist Odette van Ginkel on the De Stijl artists led by Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesberg, whose strict geometric style shaped Dutch Modernism	Collecting guide: gold boxes Can you tell your tabatière from your boîte-à-mouches? Specialist Isabelle Cartier-Stone offers the ultimate guide to storing your snuff
Collecting guide: Charles Catteau’s Boch Frères ceramics Our expert guide to the Art Deco designer inspired by Japanese and African art, who strove to create ‘art for all’	How to collect British ceramics Christie’s specialist Jody Wilkie on the most important manufacturers, from Bow to Wedgwood
Collecting Guide: Clarice Cliff ceramics Characterised by bold colours and dynamic Art Deco designs, these ceramics, offered in our online sale, have been sought-after since the late 1920s	Why it’s time to discover Russian art Five experts discuss the key figures in Russian art over the past century and more — Malevich, Fabergé, Ovchinnikov, Deineka, Vrubel and others
Collecting Guide: 15 things you need to know about Fabergé From the iconic imperial eggs to its jewellery, flowers, figurines and snuff-boxes, and the distinct styles of its various branches and workmasters	10 history-making jewels sold by Christie’s that changed the market On 30 June 2020, this diamond ring sold online for more than $2 million — joining a stellar cast of game-changing gems sold at Christie’s
Collecting guide: Soviet porcelain From figurines and plates to vases and tea and coffee services, plus designers spanning Danko to Komashka	Engagement rings: The questions every buyer should consider It can be such a daunting purchase — our expert guide walks you through all you need to know, whether your budget is £1,500 or £1.5 million
The world’s most sought-after pear-shaped diamonds Including the world’s largest pair of pear-shaped, D Flawless diamonds — and a Fancy Vivid pink diamond ring	A brief history of blockbuster diamonds The Oppenheimer Blue, the most expensive gemstone ever sold at auction, and other exceptional diamonds sold by Christie’s
The diamonds of Golconda Diamonds from Golconda in India are prized above all others, and the Mughal & Maharaja Magnificence auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime selection	Collecting guide: 10 things to know about tiaras An in-depth guide to these opulent ornaments — more versatile than one might suppose
Collecting guide: Art Nouveau jewellery An appraisal of the movement from our panel of experts, illustrated with superb pieces from the largest collection of Art Nouveau jewellery ever to come to auction	Collecting guide: Art Deco jewellery A primer on the jewellers who cast aside Art Nouveau’s nature-inspired forms in favour of an aesthetic that celebrated modernity and technology
A collecting guide to semi-precious gems Do you know your alexandrites from your garnets, or why opals appear rainbow-hued and peridot is known as the ‘evening emerald’?	Collecting guide: Cartier jewellery A history of the illustrious maison, illustrated with historic necklaces, rings, bracelets and clocks sold at Christie’s
Cartier and the ‘Indian style’ Stunning jewels offered from the Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence sale: a glorious fusion of aesthetic ideas from two continents	Boucheron: a collector’s guide The jeweller Frédéric Boucheron opened his first shop in the arcades of the Palais Royal, Paris; more than 160 years later, the maison he founded is a world leader
A guide to Tiffany & Co. — an American institution The history, the designers, the historic pieces sold at Christie’s — plus iconic Tiffany rings, bracelets and necklaces	Jean Schlumberger: ‘A trailblazer in the world of fine jewels’ The Tiffany & Co. designer sought to reflect the unevenness of nature, and earned the devotion of clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor
Collecting guide: Bulgari jewellery An expert introduction to Bulgari rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches, including innovations such as the ’Serpenti’ bracelet-watch	Collecting guide: Graff diamond jewellery An introduction to the London jeweller synonymous with ‘all-diamond’ masterpieces. Illustrated with lots offered at Christie’s
Collecting guide: Harry Winston jewellery We examine the glittering legacy of Harry Winston, the New York jeweller dubbed the ‘King of Diamonds’ — illustrated with lots offered at Christie’s	Van Cleef & Arpels — A collector’s guide An expert look at the history of the French jewellery house and its iconic creations loved by film stars, heiresses and royalty
The high-society jewels of Raymond Yard Jewellery specialist Jacqueline DiSante delves into the history of the elite New York jeweller and the meticulously crafted pieces pursued by serious collectors	Collecting guide: David Webb jewellery Best known for his zebra bangles, the American jeweller David Webb has long been a favourite with movie stars and fashion icons
Collecting guide: JAR jewellery Imaginative and meticulously crafted, Joel Arthur Rosenthal's exclusive jewellery designs are treasured the world over	Collecting guide: 10 jewellery designers you should know From Wolfers Brothers via Henry Vever and Suzanne Belperron to Aldo Cipullo, a guide to some of jewellery’s hidden gems
10 history-making pink diamonds offered at Christie’s As the ‘Sakura’ comes to auction at Christie’s in Hong Kong, specialist Marie-Cécile Cisamolo puts it in the context of other fabulous pink diamonds that have bedazzled our salerooms	10 history-making emeralds offered at Christie’s Find out more about stunning emerald jewels owned by the Romanovs, Mughal emperors, the Rockefellers and many more
A collecting guide to coloured gemstones Why coloured precious stones — from diamonds to sapphires, emeralds to rubies — have an allure all of their own	Collecting guide: Emeralds An expert introduction to emeralds, from the importance of colour, clarity and saturation to common treatments and favourite cuts
Boivin: a collector’s guide Art Deco architecture and exotic animals were among the inspirations of Maison Boivin, ‘jeweller of the intelligentsia’	A history of magnificent sapphires at Christie’s As an extraordinary sapphire and diamond bracelet is offered in New York, we look back at stunning gems that have sparked bidding battles at Christie’s
Collecting guide: Cultured and natural pearls Christie’s specialists Angelina Chen and David Warren on the gems that have captivated both Eastern and Western collectors for centuries	A brief history of blockbuster Burmese rubies Rubies command higher prices per carat than any other gemstone apart from coloured diamonds. And these are the very best
An expert’s guide to signed jewellery Christie’s Jewellery specialist Arabella Hiscox explains why pieces featuring the signature of top brands attract serious collectors worldwide	Collecting guide: Jadeite jewellery Prized for its translucency and aqueous quality, jadeite is among the most sought-after gemstones in China
The dazzling jeweller Elsa Peretti: ‘a woman of almost awesome chic’ The designer, who passed away in March, was a Studio 54 regular and wowed 1970s New York with her brilliantly inventive jewellery	The singular, creative imagination of Line Vautrin Gallery owner Louisa Guinness and interior designer Fabrice Bana discuss favourite pieces from our December 2015 online auction
Jewels from the royal courts of India A special multi-media presentation of treasures from Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, and the stories of the Indian royals who owned or commissioned them	An expert guide to vintage costume jewellery Jewellery historian, dealer and author Harrice Simons Miller highlights the most important attributes of high-end costume jewellery, from design to craftsmanship
Collecting guide: 5 things to consider when buying jewellery David Warren, Senior International Jewellery Director, talks to Lavender Au about what withstands the whims of fashion	Collecting Guide: 20th-century objects of vertu From elegant nécessaires to exquisite compacts, 20th-century objects of vertu come in all shapes and sizes
From the Submariner to the Daytona: Why vintage watch collectors love Rolex Collectors of vintage Rolex know it’s about more than just that famous crown logo — as these five watches show	5 reasons collectors love Vacheron Constantin Christie’s Watches department on the special appeal of the world’s oldest watch manufacturer in continuous production
Steve McQueen to Bart Simpson: Rolexes with nicknames The stories behind the names given to a selection of iconic Rolex wristwatches	Collecting guide: Women’s watches An expert guide to the women’s watches — their history, aesthetic appeal and how to identify the pieces that should be on every collector’s radar
Collecting guide: What are the 10 most desirable Patek Philippe references? Christie’s Watch experts attempt the impossible by naming their shortlist	Collecting guide: 5 reasons watch collectors love Patek Philippe Why devotees of the Swiss brand never settle for less than the best — illustrated with outstanding examples offered at Christie’s
Collecting guide: Patek Philippe perpetual chronograph wristwatches From one generation to the next, the evolution of a horological legend	Secrets of the Patek Philippe Nautilus It’s hard to comprehend quite how groundbreaking and startlingly different the Nautilus 3700/1 was when it launched in 1976
The collector: Nick Foulkes on The Nautilus by Patek Philippe The author, journalist and watch expert on the radical concept and ageless appeal of Patek’s iconic wristwatch	Why minute repeaters are the musical instruments of time Specialist Alexandre Bigler on the unique charms of a collection of 13 Patek Philippe minute repeaters coming to auction in July
10 Rolex references to die for Watch specialist Remi Guillemin selects the vintage Rolex watches that have electrified the market in recent years	Collecting guide: 5 reasons watch collectors love the Rolex Daytona A collector’s guide to the essential attributes that ensure the Daytona’s enduring popularity
5 reasons watch collectors love Richard Mille How technical innovation, artistry and the culture of fine watchmaking have made Richard Mille a dominant player	5 reasons collectors love Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches The Royal Oak is Audemars Piguet’s best-known and perhaps most collectable watch. Here’s why it is so esteemed by aficionados
5 reasons collectors love vintage Heuer chronographs Why Vintage Heuer chronographs made between the 1930s and the 1980s are so highly regarded	Aged to perfection — The patina trend in watches Why are watch collectors drawn to ‘honest’ vintage watches such as those with tropical and exotic dials offered in Dubai?
5 reasons why collectors love vintage Heuer for Abercrombie & Fitch watches Exploring the appeal of watches made for the legendary American store that were specially designed for fishing, hunting and sailing	‘Beautiful pieces can be found for relatively modest prices’: how to collect enamel pocket watches Specialists Richard Chadwick and Remi Guillemin discuss the ‘sheer wonder’ they induced in the past, and offer advice on what to look for
5 of the best Bordeaux vintages to own and collect Choosing classic post-war wines is a personal exercise, but the vintages on this list — all offered in Christie’s Wine Online — are as good as any	How to sabrage champagne (and 14 other questions our wine experts are always asked) Wine specialist Charles Foley answers your most pressing queries, from what to look for on a wine label to how to open your best bubbly with a sword
Collecting guide: Starting a wine cellar From storage options to choosing the right vintages, specialists Charles Foley and Noah May offer expert pointers	The perfect wine glass: 7 tips for matching shape to grape The profile of your stemware can have a big impact on the taste of what’s inside, as our experts explain
How to buy Champagne: An expert guide Christie’s International Director of Wine Tim Triptree MW advises on top champagne vintages, niche growers, and how to store a collection	‘The one bottle that changes everything’ Wine specialist Noah May discusses the wines that collectors look for — and why
Burgundy vintages 1846-2009: A wine specialist’s chart Christie’s wine specialist Edwin Vos shares his personal notes together with those from the Christie's archive	A guide to the flavours of Bordeaux The grapes, blends and communes that produce some of the world’s finest wines, and the perfect foods to go with them
Why collectors love Château Lafite Rothschild wine Château Lafite Rothschild is undoubtedly one of the world’s most prestigious and collectible wines. We find out why	Collecting guide: Barolo and Barbaresco An expert guide to the stunning, long-lived red wines produced in the hill towns of Piedmont in northwest Italy
Collecting guide: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti A primer on the Burgundy estate producing the most sought-after wines ever sold, featuring lots offered at Christie’s	Château Lafleur: one of the world’s ‘most distinctive, most exotic and greatest wines’ With an exceptional stock of Lafleur offered in Finest Wines and Spirits in New York, 14-15 June, specialist Noah May evaluates its particular ‘mystique’
A guide to the legendary wines of Château Latour The estate is famed for the phenomenal longevity and consistent quality of its wines. Illustrated with lots offered on 10 December	Rare Burgundies direct from the reserve cellars of Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé On 25 May Christie’s presents one of its greatest ever wine auctions — a unique collection of historic Burgundies from a legendary domaine
Screaming Eagle: An American masterpiece The story by numbers of the exclusive Napa Valley winery famous for producing wines of exceptional quality in tiny quantities	‘Masseto — a truly Mediterranean expression of merlot’ Axel Heinz, Winemaker and Estate Director at Masseto, discusses the ‘magic’ wine he creates from a portion of seven hectares in Bolgheri
Collecting guide: White Burgundy wine Christie’s Wine Specialist Charles Foley on the grapes, the terroir and the producers who create the most sublime white wines on Earth	5 reasons wine collectors love Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Wine specialist Noah May explains why this is the most lauded of all Tuscan wines — offered in our Christie’s Wine Online/NYC sale, until 10 April
Spanish sunshine in a bottle: a collector’s guide to sherry Where does sherry come from? How is it made? And what’s the difference between a Fino, a Manzanilla, a Palo Cortado and an Oloroso?	The California wines every collector wants to have in their cellar Why connoisseurs pursue the best cases from Chateau Montelena, Heitz Cellars, Ridge, Harlan Estate, Opus One, and more
Madeira collecting guide: From young Buals to old Bastardos An introduction to one of civilisation’s finest and most storied wines, from its extraordinary origins to its diversity of styles	Scotch whisky: 6 regions to know Can't tell your Ardbeg from your Edradour? Specialist Charles Foley offers an essential guide to Scotland’s whisky geography
10 Macallan whiskies to drink before you die: The Master Distiller’s selection Dr. Nick Savage, Master Distiller at The Macallan, lists his dream drams	Collecting guide: Moutai, China’s ‘national liquor’ What a newcomer needs to know about the highly collectable, grain-based liquor served at all Chinese state banquets
The questions every prospective handbag collector should ask Looking for investment-grade arm candy? Handbags & Accessories specialist Caitlin Donovan tells us what to keep in mind	A guide to the most coveted limited edition Hermès Birkin bags Discover the history behind the Hermès Faubourg, Ghillies, Sunrise Birkin and other rare designs
10 handbags and accessories that have shaped the market A brief history of some of the exceptional bags, shoes and jackets that have passed through Christie’s since our first handbag sale in 1978	What every collector needs to know about Hermès handbags An expert introduction to the bags created by one of the world’s most famous fashion houses, from the Birkin to the Kelly
Collecting guide: Hermès handbags for every budget Whether you have £1,000 to spend or are ready to go to £50,000-plus, there’s a Hermès bag for you in our Handbags & Accessories sales	What the Hermès horseshoe stamp means to handbag collectors Custom-made HSS handbags featuring this special emblem represent the Holy Grail for Hermès aficionados
A collector’s guide to Chanel Métiers d’Art handbags The Métiers d’Art collection is witty, eclectic and Chanel to the core. Illustrated with bags offered at Christie’s	Collecting Guide: 10 things to know about Louis Vuitton handbags and trunks A comprehensive guide to the many Louis Vuitton bags and trunks on the market, from classic motoring trunks to contemporary artist collaborations
Ask a Specialist: What is the best (and worst) way to store my handbag? Six tips for a healthy and happy handbag, from Christie’s specialist Rachel Koffsky	Turning luggage into art Design editor-at-large of ELLE DÉCOR Mieke ten Have discusses how she brings traditional travel pieces into the home
Expert guide: 7 tips for collecting Ancient Jewellery Ancient jewellery styles are in vogue, but original pieces that can be thousands of years old are surprisingly affordable	Collecting guide: Roman glass from antiquity Antiquities specialist Claudio Corsi explains the history of this delicate material — and the qualities to look out for
Collecting guide: 7 things to know about Greek vases International Head of Antiquities G. Max Bernheimer surveys some magnificent examples, while Hannah Solomon offers an expert introduction	Collecting guide: Ancient marbles Christie's Antiquities specialist Hannah Solomon advises on seven things to consider before buying ancient marbles
Ancient jewellery: A window onto ancient techniques Take a closer look at the breathtaking artistry and craftsmanship evident in pieces of gold jewellery that are well over 2,000 years old	A brief history of engraved Classical gems Specialist G. Max Bernheimer explains their significance, featuring exquisite pieces from the G. Sangiorgi Collection
Collecting guide: The classical myths behind ancient treasures The legends of the sky god who lost an eye, the unborn child who was sewn into his father’s thigh, and more	Collecting guide: Cycladic art Insights into the enduring appeal of works that were sculpted some 5,000 years ago. Illustrated with pieces offered at Christie’s
Collecting guide: ancient Greek helmets Ancient helmets offer a fascinating insight into bygone battles and the societies that fought them	Pre-Columbian art — A new collector’s guide Christie’s Pre-Columbian art specialist Fatma Turkkan-Wille offers an expert overview of the category, and offers advice to first-time buyers
The art of Oceania — a guide for new collectors Christie’s African & Oceanic art specialist Victor Teodorescu offers some helpful pointers for new buyers of Oceanic art	Collecting Guide: Persian miniature paintings Behnaz Atighi Moghaddam, Islamic Art specialist in London, offers an expert guide to a field in which prices range from a few thousand pounds to several million
Jewelled daggers and ceremonial swords Decorative and dangerous, the most impressive group of courtly quality weapons to come to auction in well over a generation	Collecting guide: Islamic calligraphy Specialist Romain Pingannaud offers an expert introduction, illustrated with recently sold works ranging from candlesticks to dishes
12 great works of Islamic art sold at Christie’s From paintings and sculptures to weapons and decorative objects, the art of the Islamic world is extraordinarily diverse	A guide to suzani textiles Christie’s Islamic Art specialist Xavier Fournier explains all you need to know about these exquisite embroidered panels
A new collector’s guide to İznik pottery With their bold colours and strong lines, these wares have been collectable since the early days of production in the 15th century, says our specialist Sara Plumbly	Magic carpets: 10 of the most illustrious examples ever sold at Christie’s Find one of your own in Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets in London on 28 October
Collecting guide: Classical Indian paintings How to tell Rajput paintings from Mughal, Pahari or Deccani miniatures, with the help of our specialist Hannah Perry	The history of script over almost five millennia Specialist Eugenio Donadoni explains the significance of highlights from The Palaeographic Collection of Martin Schøyen
Collecting guide: Bibles Books specialist Mark Wiltshire on the history of Christianity’s most influential printed text	Collecting Guide: Scientific books Our Books and Manuscripts specialists advise on a richly rewarding and ever-evolving collectors’ market
How to collect fossil fish (and other creatures of the deep) From stingrays to sea lilies to shrimps, the fossils of underwater life forms are more common than their terrestrial counterparts	Nature’s ready-made sculptures Stunning natural marvels — from meteorites and ammonites to dinosaurs’ teeth — offered in our Science and Natural History sale, 12-26 October
An expert’s guide to meteorites Dr Alan Rubin of UCLA explains the origins of these extraterrestrial rocks, illustrated with examples offered online until 23 February	My Passion: Treen Nic McElhatton, Chairman of Christie’s South Kensington, on his love for the small domestic wooden objects prized by collectors
Astrolabes: Tools for decoding the movement of the stars An expert introduction to the beautiful instruments for divining the night and the course of the sun — described as ‘the medieval iPhone’

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