Art Dealer Claims Christie’s Stiffed It

MANHATTAN (CN) - An Indian art dealer says it paid Christie's more than $800,000 for 29 pieces of art, which the auction house failed to deliver and now is threatening to sell to someone else. Osian's Connoisseurs of Art says it had paid in full by May 25, but Christie's is threatening to resell some piece unless Osian's pays "for artworks purchased by another, completely different entity named Bregawn Jersey Ltd."

In its federal claim, Osian's says, "Christie's did not even notify Osian's about the auction. Osian's only learned about the potential auction by monitoring Christie's Web site. Christie's never gave Osian's any notice of the proposed sale."

Osian's wants its art, and punitive damages for breach of contract, false advertising, conversion and deceptive trade. It is represented by Mandel Bhandari.

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