Just another weekend at Christie's...
One interesting tale from the auction house, is of the ‘cricket’ we play during auctions of paintings: As a few porters/viewing assistants are required to assist in the showing of the paintings (to the auctioneer first, then to the bidders, a la sale of the century as aforementioned), we take it upon ourselves to ‘keep score’ according to the sale price of the items. If a lot sells for over 5000 pounds, you get 4 runs, and if it sells for over 10,000 pounds, you get a 6. Of course, it is difficult to keep count while working so no singular runs are on offer. If, per chance, the painting you are holding does NOT sell, then you are out. Of course, the winner is the player with the most runs. Now, on the particular day I engaged in this sporting(and I must mention the 19th century British and Continental paintings were not the most inspired I’ve seen), I was 28 out for 6 runs. Representing Australia amongst the Poms, this was not my proudest moment.
Have I mentioned that one of the porters, named Tom, is an artist (as are a number of staff), who uses taxidermy in his works?! He is currently stuffing a stingray. I refrained form suggesting “Steve’s Revenge” as a title for the piece (lame, I know). Christie’s truly is a busy little haven for bizarre treasures and oddballs.