Christie's Cedes American Indian Territory to Sotheby's

I don't know why this is happening, but I do know that it's happening: Christie's has cancelled its May 24 American Indian art auction, while Sotheby's has two such sales scheduled for next month: the Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection, May 17 and a mixed-owner sale May 18 that includes a Zuni jar deaccessioned by the Albright-Knox Gallery.

Regina Kolbe of Antiques and the Arts has the scoop:

Christie's has abruptly cancelled its upcoming auction of American Indian Art, originally scheduled for May 24, releasing specialist Delia Sullivan and closing the department for an indefinite period of time. Although the auction house has yet to make a formal announcement, Toby Usnik, spokesperson for Christie's, stated, "The decision was made to cancel the May sale and suspend all American Indian Art sales in the foreseeable future."

More than 250 lots had reportedly been booked for the May auction and the status of each consignment is currently being negotiated by the auction house on an individual basis. According to Usnik, items are either being returned to the consignors or are being held by Christie's for inclusion in a future sale at that will offer related lots.

Usnik confirmed to me that Kolbe's report was accurate. He added:

As a general practice, we believe it is incumbent upon us to review and update our strategies based on evolving market needs. With regard to the middle market in general, Christie's remains fully committed to this market in all of our saleroom locations.

It was significant that he reaffirmed the commitment to the "middle market," because Sotheby's has announced a strategy to concentrate its focus on the higher end.

Usnik also denied that there were any problems with the objects in the cancelled sale or with specialist Sullivan, but provided no further insight into reasons for this precipitous move.

"Review details are proprietary and I am unable to share them," he said.

David Roche, Sotheby's American Indian art expert, wouldn't comment on the Christie's move, but was happy to beat the drum about his own department's success:

Sotheby's has been the leader in the sale of American Indian art at auction for 30 years. Last year, we held the highest grossing auction sale of American Indian art in history. In that same sale, we set a new world's record for the sale of an object of Native manufacture at auction---$1.8 million. In total, between our dedicated spring and fall 2006 American Indian art sales, we achieved nearly $12 million.