Saudi Arabia is transforming rapidly, embracing global luxury and culture in unprecedented ways. From the visionary $1.5 trillion Neom City to the stunning Gulf of Aqaba landscapes, the Kingdom is making its mark on the world stage. The Kingdom even boasts the world’s most expensive painting, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, valued at $450 million. Adding to this grandeur, the 250-year-old Christie’s Auction House is set to become the first global auction house to operate in the Kingdom under the leadership of Nour Kelani, Managing Director of Christie’s Saudi Arabia.
The announcement came after Christie’s secured a commercial license to establish a permanent presence in the country. Based in Riyadh, Kelani will oversee client services, focusing on modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art, jewelry, and timepieces. Saudi Arabia, home to 313,000 millionaires, representing 0.5% of the world’s wealthy population, boasts the highest number of millionaires in the Middle East and North Africa region. Additionally, the affluent art enthusiasts of the Saudi Royal Family have built a remarkable collection over the years, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman owning one of the most iconic pieces in the nation and the world.
With a solid potential clientele, Christie’s first Saudi Arabian outpost will host both exhibitions and private sales while supporting regional cultural events under Kelani’s experienced guidance. Previously responsible for operations at Ayyam Gallery in Jeddah, she also managed her own art and luxury consultancy and was named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture for her contributions, according to Ocula. This new venture marks Christie’s second regional outpost, following the opening of Christie’s Dubai in 2005.
