2015 was a year of huge successes for Cambi, which culminated with a turnover of 26.35 million Euros that confirmed us once again on top of auction sales in Italy and represents a record for our Auction House, undisputed reference point for those who want to sell or buy works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary, from China to design, from collecting to investment in precious stones.
With great pride we can say that the most expensive work of art sold in Italy during the year was ours: the extraordinary porcelain Chinese Moon Flask sold for 2.4 million euros, a price well over the sales for Oriental Art by our English competitors.
The auctions of the second semester were valuable events, not only from an economical point of view but also from a cultural one, like those dedicated to Antique Glassworks or Wax Works. We also managed the sales of collections from important families such as the one of Ercole Marelli’s heirs, and huge sales which made us leaders in Italy among which Oriental Art and Design.
And it is precisely on this last sale that I want to focus, because it confirms the steady growth that over the years has led us to become an essential point of reference in Europe for the auctions concerning Italian design, with an offer and results higher than those of the big international scenarios, such as London and Paris.
Looking at the next events, there will be many activities in the first half of 2016.
In March, we will open our Roman office, a representative office - coordinated by Valeria Ciappa - overlooking the central Via del Babuino which will become a reference point for the city and all southern Italy. At the headquarters in Rome we will not organize proper auctions, but we will organize expertise days and appointments with experts to see lots to offer in our Genoese or Milan sales.
After years of frequentation of the capital, and many successful sales, finally it comes a location that will allow us to be present on site on an ongoing basis and therefore constantly communicating with our Roman customers, increasingly numerous.
2016 opens in March, as usual, under the banner of the great auction of Antiques and Old Masters Paintings, together with Antique Frames and Majolicas of the 17th and 18th century, as well as with the catalogue of Chinese Works of Art; appointments which will be followed by all specialist sales scheduled in May and June and that now are continuing at a relentless pace in our two headquarters in Genoa and Milan.
In early May, we will have an appointment with ancient art, divided into six monographic catalogues, and later that month it will be the time of Fine Chinese Works of Art, Fine Jewels and Wristwatches and Pocket Watches. June is dedicated to the twentieth century, from Modern and Contemporary Art to Fine Design, through Decorative Arts of the 20th century and Sculptures of the 20th century. On this occasion we will present for the first time a monographic catalogue dedicated to Venetians Glassworks of the 20th century, from Paolo Venini to Carlo Scarpa.
This issue of the magazine also features two very interesting essays on majolica edited by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti and Carlo Raffo, a contribution by Chiara Parisio on neoclassical miniature collectibles, plus a brief insight into the ancient sculpture of Alfredo Bellandi.