Christie's South Kensington: the training ground where an industry learned its game

For 42 years, Christie's South Kensington functioned as a gateway to the art and antiques trade. Below, some of those who passed through its doors—as clients, as consignors, as consultants—reflect on what they will miss most.

Ivor Braka

Art dealer and collector

“I am a great believer in localism, even if Christie’s must be an international business, and CSK gave character to South Kensington. I’ve been buying at CSK since I started dealing in 1978; it was great for interesting but less commercial pieces. The decision seems to be one of top-level rationalisation, but they didn’t think about their clients.”

Charles Hindlip

Former chairman, Christie’s International

“It’s an error. Christie’s ought to realise it has always been quite daunting but it has now become more daunting. South Ken gave people easy, unintimidating access which was useful to the company. King Street got a lot of business from people just walking into South Ken with things that turned out to be very good. It saddens me that so many good people will lose their jobs, because I don’t think anything like it will open in London, on the same scale, in the foreseeable future."

Pilar Ordovas

Founder-owner, Ordovas Art

"Christie's South Kensington was so important to me–formative experiences that have stayed with me throughout my professional life. The valuation counter had hundreds of visitors each day–this was my first paid job at Christie’s, where I worked for a year. I learned so much about people and their motivation to sell or buy, as much as about the works themselves.”

Jo Baring

Director, Ingram Collection; former head, Modern British art at CSK

“Generations of London’s art world have graduated from CSK and I don’t believe that today’s auction house juniors–handling a small number of high value works, all fully attributed in catalogue raisonnés–will ever gain the same level of knowledge. I doubt they’d last five minutes on the CSK valuations desk, a baptism of fire. Closing CSK is a mistake. It was great for nurturing new, younger collectors.”

Orlando Rock

Chairman, Christie’s UK

“I have many great South Ken memories. Over its 40 years it became a place that inspired collectors, dealers and indeed curators, many of whom started their careers there. It had an energy, was welcoming and innovative and offered such a variety of works at all price points which made it an irresistible temptation for so many.”