Christie’s recent online auction of decorative arts from the Jonathan Burden collection totaled more than $1.07 million, including commissions, more than double the low estimate of $487,500.
Allison Cox, decorative arts specialist and head of sales at Christie’s, said: “We’re excited. Jonathan Burden is excited too. It’s really exciting. I think in the more traditional areas of decorative arts and furniture there’s a bright future.” art news. “This demonstrates a greater and growing interest in this category, which is exciting for us.”
The sales results at Burden’s auction came after the first “live” viewing of the home at the antique furniture conservator and dealer’s studio in Long Island City. Potential bidders made appointments with Christie’s representatives for two weeks, including Saturday, before bidding online from September 24 to October 8.
The new interactive approach to “Crafted and Collected: The Jonathan Burden Auction” pays off. Among the 151 lots, only 5 were unsold, with a transaction rate of 97%. Only 21 of the 151 lots had high estimates of $10,000 or more, but many sold for several times their high estimates and helped attract new interest in the category.
Cox said the “new and exciting” experience also means potential bidders will also be able to meet Burden in person in his studio, hear his stories about different objects and see him demonstrate the movement of certain items, such as a 19th-century transfiguration chair.
“You know, we have anywhere from 5 to 25 people come over, which is great. They bring their friends and spend the afternoon.”
The top lot was a 10-foot-long French Incarnat Turquin marble dining table, which sold for $101,600 including commission, far exceeding its high estimate of $30,000. Notably, Burden purchased the table almost five years ago for $15,000, including the cost of a Christie’s Dalva Brothers sale in October 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic (also estimated at $30,000).
The one-of-a-kind marble table had been stored in storage and had not been assembled for previous auctions, so Christie’s used a magazine for the sale. The company has also maintained its estimate of $20,000 to $30,000 due to the table’s rarity, weight of 1,360 pounds, and unusual appearance, meaning there are no other recent prices for comparison.
“You have to consider that someone could be spending $10,000 or more on shipping depending on where they’re sending the goods. And they have to get to the right floor because if you have to make sure your floors are reinforced or concrete. There’s a lot of factors that can get in the way. Anything huge, super-scale is always more challenging just because it requires a specific space to accommodate it.”
Unless otherwise stated, all prices mentioned below are in U.S. dollars and include fees.
Other top lots at the Burden sale included a set of 10 Irish Queen Anne style walnut chairs, which sold for $35,560, more than seven times the high estimate of $5,000; a pair of Italian Scagliola and painted panels, which sold for $38,100, against a high estimate of $25,000; and a pair of North Indian gilded lacquer chests, also on the stand, which sold for $30,480 against a high estimate of $18,000.
A 19th-century Victorian mahogany chair has sold for nine times its high estimate of $3,000. Photography: Christie’s Imaging Ltd. 2025.
Several items at the other end of the estimate range also exceeded expectations, including a mahogany deteriorated chair, which sold for $27,940 over its high estimate of $3,000; and a set of four African carved palmwood columns that sold for $16,510, more than 13 times The high estimate was $1,200; a George III-style black-lacquered bench by Burden sold for $12,065, against an estimate of $1,500; and a pair of oak “Club” and “Spade” hall stools also sold for $12,065, just over the estimate of $1,800.
Notably, the same white painted bench made by Burden sold for $5,715, highlighting the lack of clear trends in the auction results and the fact that bidders were attracted by vastly different items.
“The one thing that’s common is that they’re all unique pieces, and they’re beautiful in their own way,” Cox said. “Finding a connection to the world through these objects is what people are looking for. Being able to differentiate my own style, I guess. It’s really exciting to see that.”
A lot of interest from newcomers and young people
According to Christie’s, 33.5% of buyers and bidders at “Crafted and Collected: The Jonathan Bourdain Sale” were new buyers, and more than 15% of them were millennials.
“I think as long as people come in person, they’re going to be more invested and more likely to keep bidding because they’ve seen it,” Cox said. “This level of investment tends to result in people being more likely to actually bid on and buy things.”
Cox said the outstanding results also reflect the uniqueness of many of the items, the “excellent condition” of all the items and how good everything in his studio looks.
“You can’t find them anywhere. Once it comes up, that’s your one chance. So I think people will be inspired,” Cox said.
A pair of oak “Club” and “Spade” hall stools also sold for $12,065. Photography: Christie’s Imaging Ltd. 2025.
Affordability is an important factor in attracting new bidders
Many items are sold without reserve, with most starting at just $100, helping to attract younger bidders and buyers.
“Everyone has a chance to win something that they love,” Cox said, “and, you know, it lasts and they don’t have to throw money to the curb when they move to a new apartment. Being able to have such an affordable price point is a huge draw, especially now that millennials are starting to have more disposable income.”
“It’s exciting to see how they spend their money, you know, as they start thinking about the spaces they themselves live in and how they want to decorate them. These things have been around for hundreds of years before us and will be around for hundreds of years after us.”
when art news Asked whether Christie’s would replicate the live format in future sales, Cox pointed to the level of interest from interior designers, as well as the appropriate environment for potential consignors. “In this case, if there was an opportunity to do another similar sale, I think we would be happy. And I think we’ve received some interest from people to maybe look into that. So I’m excited to see where this takes us.”
