"Technical Defect" hits the "Christies" systems days before large auctions

Christie’s auction house said on Friday that a problem with technological safety affected some of its systems, including the website, before major auctions. “We are taking all the steps needed to handle it, with the participation of an additional team of technological experts. We regret any inconvenience for our clients.” A “Christie’s” representative refused to provide more details, including whether the interruption was caused by an electronic attack. The site did not work at full capacity at 1:30 pm in New York on Friday. During the big May auctions in New York next week, Christie’s plans to sell works of art with values ​​of between $ 578 million and $ 846. According to the Auction House estimates, evening sales can achieve until only $ 656 million on May 14 and 16. The auctions come at a sensitive time for the art market, as global sales of artworks and antiques fell by 4%last year, according to a report issued by UPS and Art Basel, and Christie’s himself reported that the sales value fell by 25%. “It’s definitely annoying and perhaps frustrating for the bidders and (Christies) employees, but it’s great for buyers who already know what they want to bid about,” said technical advisor Jacob King. “I don’t expect it to have a big impact as long as they will work on the website by Monday.”