Christie's Live virtual auctions, online bidding service debuts

“Watch the auction, hear the auctioneer, and bid live from your own computer," so says Christie's International in announcing the launch of Christie's Live, an online, real-time multi-media auction house experience.

According to Christies:

collectors and enthusiasts around the world will be able to enjoy the look, sound and feel of Christie's auctions from their personal computer. Offering the ability to remotely bid live from the comfort of home, Christie's LIVE® combines real-time video and audio with clear bidding instructions to allow users to 'virtually' attend auctions at Christie's salerooms across the globe.

Christie's describes the process required to “watch, hear and bid at Christie's auctions from your computer”:

1) Sign up to create an account that will allow you to register for Christie's Live sales

2) Download the required software before the first time you use Christie's Live

3) Select a sale from the Christie's Live auction calendar and click Bid Online.

4) On the day and time of the auction enter Christie's Live from your account page and participate in a live auction.

Upcoming Christie's Live sales include:

• Furniture & Decorative Objects
• British, Continental & Russian Pictures
• Furniture & Decorative Objects