PARIS.- During three days, Christie’s France offered 999 lots from the superb collection of Alberto Pinto, including Furniture, Asian works of art, Silver, Porcelain and Glass, Impressionist and Modern art, Design and Linen realising a sale total of €11,859,019/£10,791,707/$15,635,905, more than three times its presale estimate and selling 96% by lot and 99% by value.

These amazing results illustrate well how dearly the art market acclaimed Alberto Pinto as one of the most brilliant and talented designers of the 20th century. He dedicated his entire life to satisfy his clients around the globe and today’s strong results demonstrate Pinto’s importance in the Design World of today.

François de Ricqlès, President of Christie’s France: “This sale is an immense success. These outstanding results are a real recognition of Alberto Pinto’s great talent and I am especially delighted for this outstanding designer. His celebrated name invited collectors from 38 countries to bid and acquire a piece from his extraordinary universe. This sale was a real tribute to him”.

Ahead of the three-day sale, 1267 clients had registered to bid in the different auction sessions, taking advantage of all Christie’s bidding platforms alike: Christie’s Live, our real-time internet bidding facility, hundreds of written bids, as well as a strong participation by telephone as well as in the room. Overall, buyers came from 38 countries to bid and possess a piece of Alberto Pinto’s collection.

The Bureau Croco by Claude Lalanne is the top lot of the entire sale and was sold on Tuesday evening for €847,500/£771,225/$1,118,700 after several minutes of intense bidding, involving 11 parties, becoming the fourth highest price for the artist. Two further lots by Lalanne realised also very strong results: a gilt bronze table Lotus et Singe was acquired for €463,500 and a gilt bronze stool Crococurule was sold for €439,500.

More outstanding results during the first session of the auctions were achieved including a pair of Anglo-Indian Ivory-Inlaid Padouk chairs, Vizagapatam, from the 18th century which sold for €295,500 or a pair of Baroque style ormolu crystal and glass mirrors, sold for €271,500.

Alberto Pinto’s passion for tableware was well represented in the sale with hundreds of beautiful porcelain items. The highlights of this section were a Famille Rose porcelain part dinner service from China which sold for €247,500 and a pair of iron-red and grisaille-decorated duck tureens and covers which sold for €187,500.

About 250 silver pieces were offered in the sale including rare silver animals created by renowned Portuguese artist Ferreira. The top lot of this bestiary was a couple of silver giraffes which sold for €81,250 against a pre-sale estimate of €10,000-15,000.

Always paying attention to small details, Alberto Pinto, as a very elegant man, who used to change his cufflinks daily. His whole collection was sold for a total of €392,750. The highest price was paid for a pair of ruby, diamond, gold and platinum cufflinks by David Webb sold to a successful internet bidder for €23,750.

Nearly 2,000 visitors came to discover the fabulous collection of the celebrated decorator during the viewing, which was on public display until last Sunday evening at Christie’s Paris.