LONDON.- Christie’s announces a new approach to buying: Christie’s Buy or Bid. This November, alongside the usual auction calendar, Christie’s South Kensington presents a hand selected group of items that will be available to purchase at a fixed price for a fixed period. Shoppers have the opportunity to acquire their Christmas presents in the Old Brompton Road saleroom or online between 14 November and 3 December. Anything which is not snapped up during this initial period will go into the 9 December Interiors auction where they will be priced with auction estimates.

Christie’s Buy or Bid will showcase a unique and eclectic collection of 42 lots, handpicked by our specialists to make for personal presents or simply a new addition to the home. Fixed prices for the Christie’s Buy or Bid selection start at £1,040, ranging up to £13,000, and items bought ahead of the auction can be specially gift- wrapped for buyers to take home ready for the holidays. The wide range of gifts includes everything from paintings and sculpture, to jewellery, to an Art Deco chromium plated coffee machine and a 1962 pinball machine.

Nic McElhatton, Chairman of Christie’s South Kensington, said: “Christie’s Buy or Bid builds on the existing auction offerings at Christie’s South Kensington and offers customers the quality, value and expertise for which Christie’s is renowned. For the first time at Christie’s, buyers can secure a handpicked item for a fixed price – they don’t have to bid; they can walk in and walk out of Christie’s with their purchase, or buy on our website. Outside the fixed timeframe to buy, shoppers have another opportunity to bid at the auction. Whether you are new to auction and want to secure a unique present for Christmas, or a regular at Christie’s, come to Christie’s South Kensington for coffee, to meet the specialists and explore the eclectic Christie’s Buy or Bid selection.”

CHRISTIE’S BUY OR BID HIGHLIGHTS
A Group of Papua New Guinea Chloromelanite Ceremonial Stone Adze Blades or Obligation Stones Buy Purchase Price: £6,500 Bid Auction Estimate: £4,000-5,000

• An Art Deco Chromium plated Coffee Machine by Victoria Arduino Buy Purchase Price: £13,000 Bid Auction Estimate: £8,000-10,000

• An Electro-Mechanical Star Jet Pinball Machine made by Bally, 1962 Buy Purchase Price: £10,400 Bid Auction Estimate: £6,000-8,000

• An 18ct white gold and diamond 'Possession' ring, by Piaget Buy Purchase Price: £3,900 Bid Auction Estimate: £2,500-£3,000

• A pair of Tamil Nadu gold earrings, South India, 19th century Buy Purchase Price: £3,250 Bid Auction Estimate: £2,000-2,500

• A 'Tubogas' quartz wristwatch, by Bulgari Buy Purchase Price: £5,200 Bid Auction Estimate: £3,000-£4,000

• A Large Moroccan Ammonite from the cretaceous (145-65 MYA) Buy Purchase Price: £2,080 Bid Auction Estimate: £1,200-1,600

• A pair of fossilised giant deer or 'Irish elk' antlers circa 10,500-5,700 B.C. Buy Purchase Price: £10,400 Bid Auction Estimate: £6,000-8,000

• A Swiss gilt-brass Atmos clock, Jaeger Lecoultre, Switzerland Second half 20th century Buy Purchase Price: £1,040 Bid Auction Estimate: £500-800