PARIS.- Phillips announced that Elie Massaoutis has joined the company as Head of Design, France and Senior International Specialist. He is based in Paris.

“Elie’s expertise and deep relationships with collectors will add even greater depth to Phillips’ global Design team and our growing presence in France,” said Domenico Raimondo, Head of Design, Europe and Senior International Specialist at Phillips. “Elie brings extensive pre-war Design expertise, with a great passion for and knowledge of Art Nouveau and Art Déco. His hiring continues our strategy of engaging with clients around the world so we can continue to grow and expand our market share in this important segment.”

Mr. Massaoutis studied History of Furniture at L'Ifage in Geneva. He went on to study History of Art and Modern Greek at Geneva’s Facultés ès Lettres, whilst working in local auction houses as well as a private gallery specialising in French Art Déco applied arts.

After spending 14 years at Sotheby’s where he rose to the position of International Specialist and Director, Mr. Massaoutis acquired a deep understanding of the art market and the auction world. With language proficiency in French, English, Italian, Greek and German, Mr. Massaoutis used his extensive international experience to develop the sales of Design in Paris, London, and New York. At Sotheby’s, his predilection for Art Nouveau allowed him to develop this segment of the market by repeatedly establishing record sales for collections including the Garden Museum, Japan in 2013, and the Emile Gallé: Un regard contemporain /Emile Gallé: A Contemporary Vision sale in 2016, among others. Through ties forged with major international collectors, he established other records for works from The Jacques Grange Collection in 2017, The Félix Marcilhac Collection in 2014, The Fabius Frères Collection in 2011, The Gunter Sachs Collection in 2012, The Boutet de Monvel Collection in 2016, and most recently The Lalanne Universe Collection in 2019.