SOTHEBY’SOTHEBY’S TO HOLD ITS FIRST-EVER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AUCTION SERIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST ON MA --The Auction Series Will Take Place at The Ritz Carlton Hotel
in Doha, Qatar --
LONDON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008 --- Sotheby’s is delighted to confirm that its first-ever
major international auc
we have travelled extensively to Qatar and have developed close
relationships here. We have also held very successful charity sales in Doha, one in 2005 and one in 2006, each of which
achieved the record for a charity auction in the region. Our announcement today is the beginning of an exciting new
phase in a long and much valued relationship and we look forward to our future in Doha with enormous enthusiasm.”
Mr Abdullah Al Najjar, CEO Qatar Museum Authority, commented on Sotheby’s announcement: “The arrival of such
a widely respected company as Sotheby’s here in Doha underlines the increasingly important roles art and culture now play
in modern Qatari society. Qatar is now recognized as an international center for culture and learning, and we hope the
presence of Sotheby’s will be a further step towards creating a partnership of like-minded organizations dedicated to
extending the influence of art, culture and knowledge. Standing as an architectural masterpiece 60 meters off Doha’s
Corniche on an island constructed of reclaimed land - the Museum of Islamic Art will reach out to new audiences. Its
program of exhibitions and events will educate the world by showcasing more than one thousand three hundred priceless
artifacts that represent 13 centuries of Islamic creativity. And we very much hope the Museum will become a place for
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enjoyment, stimulation and discussion - a place where everyone, whether they live in Qatar or in any country around the
world, will come together to be inspired by Islamic Art and the magnificent structure designed by I.M. Pei.”
“While we look forward in great anticipation to celebrating Qatar’s newest cultural landmark - we now welcome to Qatar
one of the world's oldest auction houses - Sotheby’s. Established more than 250 years ago, Sotheby’s is undeniably the
world’s pre-eminent fine art auctioneer, and their arrival confirms our country’s ability to attract the highest quality
companies who will make their unique contribution to the long term success of Qatar.”
About Sotheby’About Sotheby’s
• Founded in 1744, Sotheby’s today is a global company that engages in art auction, private sales and artrelated
financing activities and is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.
• Sotheby’s worldwide consolidated sales in 2007 were $6.2 billion, the Company’s highest ever. In 2007
Sotheby’s sold the top lot of the year, Mark Rothko’s White Center (Yellow, pink and Lavendar on Rose) for
$72.8 million. In the first half of 2008 Sotheby’s consolidated sales were $3.4 billion, its best ever, and the
Company sold the most expensive work at auction, Francis Bacon’s Triptych 1976, which brought a record
$86.3 million.
• The Company auctions in approximately 70 different collecting categories, among them Impressionist and
Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Old Master Paintings, American Art, Orientalist Paintings, Islamic Art and
Jewellery.
• In September 2008 Sotheby’s conducted the historic and ground-breaking Contemporary Art auction,
Beautiful Inside My Head Forever of new works by living artist Damien Hirst, which brought $200 million.
• Today Sotheby’s operates
