Christie’s will auction the private collection of the late Simon Sainsbury, estimated to be worth around 15 million pounds as part of Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art sales on June 24 and 25 in London.

Sale items include English furniture and pottery and paintings by Reynolds, Degas and Matisse.

Sainsbury, who died in 2006, has bequeathed 18 paintings to the nation, worth between 70 million pounds and 100 million pounds, the Tate and National Gallery announced in October 2007.

Proceeds from the Christie’s auction will go to the Monument Trust charity, established by Sainsbury in 1965.

Posted: 03|3|08 at 2:17 pm. Filed under: Auction News.