Representatives from Christie’s auctioneers will soon be defending the world famous company after a claim from AXA Art Insurance against them for failure to look after and keep safe an art collection, during the 2012 super storm.
Satellite image of the super storm
The damaged collection was owned by the late Gregor Piatigorsky & his wife Jacqueline Piatigorsky & AXA is taking action on behalf of the estate. The insurance company believes the storage service provided by Christies did not shield the artwork from the storm, even though advance warning was given of the hurricane’s strength.
The collection was being stored in Red Hook area of Brooklyn, New York & includes work by French impressionists Claude Monet (1840-1926) & Edgar Degas (1834-1917), so these are works of worldwide historical importance. Although AXA are claiming $1.5 million dollars…other experts are saying damaged cased by Sandy to art could run into many millions.
A Christie’s representative said they would not be commenting on the matter as is their policy for legal matters
Danielle Rahm from New York Fine Art Appraisers commented on the still pending influx of claims from other individuals since Hurricane Sandy:
“A tremendous amount of art was affected but it takes time to have works assessed to see the damage so clients are just now in the midst of dealing with the aftermath.”
The hearing will take place in New York.
Red Hook, Brooklyn after the storm
thank you
Jess
Article by the Independent Newspaper
Christie’s Auction House
New York Fine Art Appraisers
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