The modern and contemporary art auction by Cambi in Milan closed on December 2 with solid results, confirming the market’s resilience ahead of the holidays.
How did the modern and contemporary art auction by Cambi conclude?
The event by Cambi Auction House dedicated to modern and contemporary art, held on Tuesday, December 2 in Milan, recorded total sales of 1,900,000 euros and a sell-through rate of 60% of the lots. The pre-Christmas auction confirmed the market’s interest in a broad and cross-sectional offering, capable of combining established names with more recent explorations.
The catalog consisted of 160 works, offering a comprehensive overview of the 20th century and contemporary production. Participation was strong both in the room and through digital platforms, confirming the now structural role of online sales in the segment.
Which works marked the most significant results?
Among the most notable results is Studio per Edicola (1991) by Arnaldo Pomodoro, lot 132, which reached 47,600 euros against an estimate of 25,000–35,000 euros. The work saw lively competition, highlighting collectors’ attention to the artist’s sculptural works.
Also highly appreciated was the refined Vaso di fiori (1936) by Filippo de Pisis, which reached 87,600 euros compared to an initial estimate of 20,000–30,000 euros. The result strengthens the painter’s positioning in the Italian market of the 20th century compared to other figurative authors of the same era.
How did Salvo and Antonio Donghi perform?
The performance of Salvo was particularly significant: an Untitled almost quadrupled expectations, rising from an estimate of 5,000–6,000 euros to a sale of 19,300 euros. This confirms the growing interest in his pictorial production.
Notable results also for Antonio Donghi. The work Frutta (1937) was sold for 75,100 euros, while Strumenti musicali, previously exhibited at the Rome Quadriennale in 1943, reached 125,100 euros. This latter auction passage underscores the historical-exhibitory weight of the painting in the artist’s interpretation.
What was the top lot of the sale?
The highest value lot of the evening was Tenderly by Piero Manzoni, an oil on canvas dating around 1950. The work was sold for 274,100 euros, against an estimate of 120,000–180,000 euros, confirming the solid demand for the author even for works preceding the more radical period.
In terms of market positioning, the result of Tenderly fits into a trend of consolidation for Manzoni’s historical works, in line with what has been recorded in other international auctions in the same time segment.
What role did the section dedicated to the San Patrignano Foundation play?
A significant section of the catalog was reserved for works from the San Patrignano Foundation. The charity part of the sale totaled 351,180 euros, with an increase of 193% compared to initial estimates and a sell-through rate of 66% of the dedicated lots.
The proceeds from the charity section are destined for energy efficiency projects for the community. Moreover, the result strengthens the cooperation model between non-profit institutions and auction houses specialized in modern and contemporary art, increasingly central in the Italian landscape.
How does this auction fit into the year-end market?
Overall, the numbers recorded by Cambi’s modern and contemporary art auction confirm the sector’s vitality and collectors’ attention to curated and quality catalogs. The balance between major 20th-century names and more recent proposals allowed for capturing different demand segments.
Compared to other year-end sales, the overall result of 1.9 million euros highlights how the Italian segment remains competitive, even in a selective international context. That said, the growing weight of online sales suggests further development margins for the coming seasons.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
