Portrait

François Curiel is the chairman of Christie's, Europe. Graduate of the Institut de Gemmologie in Paris, François Curiel began his career at Christie's as a jewellry expert in London in 1969. After having worked in Madrid, Paris and Geneva, he settled in New York in 1977 and notable improvements to the jewellry department. In 1989, it returned to Europe as General Manager for Jewellry at an international level. In 2001, François Curiel took the reins of Christie's, France, while maintaining his other roles. Under his leadership, in 2003 Christie's became the market leader of  auction sales in France. Recognized appraiser, François Curiel handles the hammer with talent during many sales in Paris, Geneva, London, New York, Hong Kong... His talent has been rewarded. In 1996, the Diamond Council of Belgium awarded him the prestigious Antwerp Diamond Career Award, a distinction obtained by less than ten personalities in the world. In 2001, he was named member of the Conseil des Ventes Volontaires de Meublesaux Enchères Publiques, the regulatory body for auction sales in France by the Minister for Justice. For François Curiel, luxury is more than the art of living.