Australia’s auction season opened with Sotheby’s sale in Melbourne.

The 97-lot sale in Melbourne was standing-room only for the first hour and 71 per cent of works sold at a total of $4.95 million, $5.95m including premium — a result that pleased Sotheby’s new chairman, Geoffrey Smith.

“It was a good sale,” he said.

Most buyers appeared to be private collectors. High-profile art dealer Denis Savill attended, but for the first time in many years did not make a bid.

“It’s my protest against the resale royalty,” Mr Savill said.

Sotheby’s Art Buyers Chase the Rare and New (The Australian)