Van Huysum Flower Pendants to Sell in London
Two rare Jan van Huysum paintings from a private collection will be offered at Christie's Old Masters Evening Sale on December 8.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Fine Art
Christie's will offer Jan van Huysum's pendant paintings A Vase of Flowers and Fruit with Flowers at its London Old Masters Evening Sale on December 8. The paintings are coming to auction from a private collection and carry an estimate of $8 million to $10.7 million (£6 million to £8 million).
Why it matters
The two works are described as the only known large-scale fruit and flower pendants by van Huysum dating from 1731 to 1733, making them a rare opportunity for collectors of Dutch Golden Age painting. Their sale comes after strong recent results for the artist at Christie's.
Christie's sold Peaches and Grapes in a Wicker Basket for $8.65 million (£6.52 million) in June, and another van Huysum bouquet sold for $7.35 million (£5.54 million). The December pendants' estimate sits within the range these recent sales have set for the artist's works.
The players
Christie's
Christie's is a major international auction house founded in London in 1766 that specializes in fine art, antiques and collectibles.
Jan van Huysum
Jan van Huysum was a Dutch Golden Age painter renowned for his highly detailed still lifes of flowers and fruit.
The details
The paintings belonged to the Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel, the Barings and the Rothschilds before reaching the current private owner. Before the London sale on December 8, the pendants will tour New York until November 16 and go on public view in London on December 4.
Timeline
1731 to 1733: van Huysum creates the pendant paintings.
June: Christie's sells Peaches and Grapes in a Wicker Basket.
November 16: New York tour of the pendants ends.
December 4: Pendants go on public view in London.
December 8: Christie's Old Masters Evening Sale in London.
Market Landscape
Van Huysum's works have become some of the most valuable Dutch Golden Age paintings at auction, with recent sales in the millions of dollars. The upcoming sale continues a pattern of high-value offerings for the artist in the Old Masters market.
Members of the public can view the pendant paintings in London on December 4 before the sale. The works will also be displayed in New York until November 16 for those able to see them there.
The takeaway
Rare works by an artist with recent multimillion-dollar results may draw strong interest at the December sale. Those interested in Dutch Golden Age painting can view the pendants in person before bidding opens.
What happens next
The pendant paintings go on public view in London on December 4 before the Christie's Old Masters Evening Sale on December 8.
Further reading
Explore more fine art news and auction coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ARTnews.
