In the auction world, history often carries great weight, and few can match Stockholms Auktionsverk, founded back in 1674. With that comes, of course, solid knowledge, tradition, and experience. But for Nicolai Palsgaard Christensen, who recently launched Palsgaard Kunstauktioner in Copenhagen, the past is not what guides him, he’s looking ahead, aiming to bring a new perspective to the industry.
A New Digital Approach
We’re approaching it from a different angle. I don’t have a background in traditional hammer auctions, but I’m going straight into the online format. Tradition and experience are, of course, valuable, but I hope to introduce a new way of thinking, he says.
© Palsgaard Kunstauktioner
Nicolai Palsgaard Christensen does not come from a background in auctions or antiques. Instead, he has worked primarily in sales, particularly within the food industry. After graduating in flow economics (supply chain management) from Copenhagen Business School, he spent many years at Coop, working in procurement and logistics.
Background in Commerce
- I have long dreamed of starting an auction house and becoming an entrepreneur, but I was also aware of the challenges involved in building a digital auction platform from scratch.
Nicolai Palsgaard Christensen, CEO and founder of Palsgaard Kunstauktioner.
When he explored the possibility of joining an already established platform, Auctionet caught his interest. In June 2023, the newly founded auction house became part of the network.
- It was the most efficient way to reach a global customer base.
At first, the business had to rely on Nicolai’s own collection, which he had built up over the years, before receiving enough items from, for example, estates and private individuals.
The Collecting Interest Takes Off
From a young age Nicolai developed an interest in form and design during museum visits with his design-enthusiast parents. His passion for collecting also has roots in his grandfather, who was an avid stamp collector. His first purchases were furniture pieces by leading figures from Denmark’s “golden era”, such as Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner. But moving to a small apartment in central Copenhagen forced him to rethink his approach.
© Palsgaard Kunstauktioner
What would you like to have appraised? Ask the experts at Palsgaard Kunstauktioner
- When I was studying, I lived in a cramped space, so large furniture didn’t work. Instead, I focused on Scandinavian ceramics and smaller sculptures. Our first thematic special auction was therefore dedicated to ceramics.
Danish Design in Focus
When Palsgaard Art Auctions joined Auctionet, their network expanded to six countries: the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Finland - and now Denmark. Recently, Woxholt Auktioner in Holbæk, west of Copenhagen, also became part of the network. Denmark is therefore an expanding and increasingly important market.
© Palsgaard Kunstauktioner
- But how do you meet the ongoing demand for mid-20th-century Danish design?
Interest in Danish design from the golden years remains strong in the auction world. And there are still plenty of pieces available. Children of the 1960s generation are moving out, and their parents sell furniture when downsizing. Even 1970s furniture is in demand, and design from the 1980s is starting to gain ground, says Nicolai.
Showroom With a Twist
His background in sales is evident in the 900-square-metre showroom in Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen. While other auction houses create room-like settings to display their items, Palsgaard Art Auctions has chosen a different approach.
Palsgaard Kunstauktioner takes photography to the next level.
- For us, a stylish showroom is not decisive. We are ‘digital first.’ High-quality images are more important than the physical space. That’s why we have invested heavily in photography, including 360-degree images that show the items from every angle.
Japanese Philosophy
The company’s philosophy is partly based on the Japanese concept of Kaizen, a working method where small, continuous improvements lead to high quality, as well as Lean production, which aims to maximize customer value and minimize waste.
- We eliminate everything that does not add value for the customer.
Records and Rockets
And the approach seems to be paying off. In a short time, the auction house has been behind several high-profile sales. Already in the second month after launch, a record price was set that still stands: a sculpture by Carl Milles, Solglitter, sold for just over 8,863 GBP.
- It had an interesting provenance. It was produced in 50 copies by Konsumentföreningen Stockholm in 1997 and donated to Coop Norden. It was especially exciting that it returned to Sweden. The buyer was a private collector who was thrilled, Nicolai says.
Even objects by unknown artists can become unexpected successes. In October 2024, a bidding war erupted over a pencil drawing by an anonymous artist. From a starting price of 93 GBP, the final price rose to 1,809 GBP after 76 bids from nine different bidders.
It’s not always the items the seller values most that turn out to be the most valuable.
- We cleared an estate, and in a box that was about to be thrown away, we found a vintage Breitling-watch from the 1940s. It sold for just over 2,667 GBP and became the most valuable item in the entire estate.
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