55 auctions in total, of which 28 in-person and 27 in web-only mode, a total turnover for the year of €27,909,926 (including rights), a 12.8% growth compared to 2021, an increasingly international audience participation with more than 43% foreigners who, thanks to the simplification of the digital mode, yielded 54% of the 2022 revenue.
Positive numbers that recount a year of growth and record prices. Specifically, there was a considerable increase in the luxury segment, driven by the Jewellery & Watches departments which together, although with a smaller number of auctions compared to the previous year, achieved a total of 7,086. 567 (+45% compared to 2021) and several important adjudications such as the earrings with Kashmir sapphires and diamonds, which fetched €1,714,500, or the Rolex Daytona ‘Winner’, Ref. 16520, purchased for €254,000, which achieved the highest sale to date for this reference.
The results of the traditional departments were more stable, with the exception of those devoted to Russian Art and Soviet Realism, which totalled €2,682,707 and achieved the second-best result in the world for an icon: a 17th century Greek icon depicting ‘The Lamentation’ sold for €775,100.
Remarkable satisfaction also for the more established departments such as Old Masters and 19th Century Paintings, which confirmed their positive trend with a sale of €4,932,700 and saw the two canvases by Bernardo Strozzi depicting ‘Saint Cecilia’ and ‘Saint Apollonia’ selling for €275,200 as the absolute top lot.
Alongside these are the successes of some more recent realities such as Cars, which were the protagonists at Milano AutoClassica where collectors and amateurs participated in large numbers, totalling 1,399,384 euros in sales and some Ferrari models exceeding 200,000 euros, Pocket Watches and Pendulum Clocks, which achieved almost 1,000,000 euros in sales, and Real Estate, which immediately established itself as one of the most dynamic realities in the sector.
Looking at the novelties, 2023 will see the change of Wannenes’ historical headquarters in Genoa with the relocation from Palazzo del Melograno to Villa Cataldi Carrega in order to provide more space for both exhibition rooms and offices, in addition to better logistics for customers.
In addition, two new sectors will be added, thus increasing the auction house’s wide array of proposals. Books & Manuscripts and Archaeology will be two cultured and refined departments led by leading personalities in their respective fields who will fascinate collectors and dealers.
“The year just ended was very satisfying. Not only for the numerous record prices achieved by our historical departments, but also for the excellent results of the younger departments,” says Guido Wannenes, CEO of Wannenes Auction House. “Supported by these results, we are already operational for new challenges with the aim of confirming the positive trend by further expanding not only the collecting departments, but also our presence in the region by 2023“.
