Christie’s extensive auction of paintings, sculpture and drawings by masters including Picasso, Renoir and Signac totalled 78 lots, which collectively sold for an impressive $236.5 million including commission - just under the $245 million high estimate.

Virtually all of the 68 lots that found buyers equalled or exceeded their pre-sale estimates, and lot after lot saw protracted bidding, much of it driven by buyers outside the United States, Christie’s officials said.

A record was set for Giacometti, whose Falling Man sculpture soared to $18.52 million, or more than twice its high estimate. Gris’ Geranium Pot fetched the same price, more than doubling the artist’s previous auction record.

“It was furious bidding on almost every lot from almost every part of the world,” said auctioneer Christopher Burge.

“The extraordinary result spoke to the strength of the market across the board - at the top, middle and bottom, whether for painting, sculpture or works on paper.”

The spring art sales kicked off on Tuesday, when Sotheby’s sold nearly $280 million worth of Impressionist and modern art.

Posted: 05|12|07 at 12:59 pm. Filed under: US News.