Jony Ive Discusses Redesigning the Christie's Rostrum With David Snowdon

Why It Matters

The rostrum redefines how heritage brands can leverage modern design to create functional art, enhancing Christie's prestige and influencing luxury‑goods craftsmanship worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration merges Christie's heritage with modern design expertise.
• Timber selection relies on Benchmark's tree biology knowledge.
• Over 500 components assembled using precision joinery and 3D software.
• Stair mechanism balances portability, robustness, and aesthetic elegance.
• Design honors Chippendale legacy while showcasing future craftsmanship.

Summary

Jony Ive sits down with Christie's auction veteran David Snowdon to unveil the redesign of the iconic auction rostrum, a project that fuses centuries‑old craftsmanship with cutting‑edge technology. The conversation highlights a deep partnership between Christie's, Ive’s Love From studio, and timber specialist Benchmark, whose expertise in tree biology informed the selection of a single, hand‑worked oak tree for the piece.

The team tackled unprecedented complexity: more than 500 meticulously engineered components, many formed from multiple timber sections, were modeled in advanced 3D software before being hand‑crafted. Ive emphasizes that the rostrum’s scale rivals architectural structures, yet its detailing aspires to the precision of haute‑horlogerie, demanding exacting joinery and finish standards.

References to Thomas Chippendale’s 260‑year‑old wooden rostrum underscore the project’s reverence for tradition, while anecdotes—such as the rotating stair that folds away seamlessly—illustrate how modern engineering resolves historic challenges. Ive describes the design as a “layered” object, marrying visible elegance with hidden functional nuances tailored to the auctioneer’s workflow.

By marrying heritage craftsmanship with digital design tools, Christie's signals a new benchmark for luxury brand artifacts, reinforcing its identity as a custodian of art and innovation. The rostrum becomes a tangible statement that timeless aesthetics can coexist with contemporary performance, setting a precedent for future high‑profile collaborations in the cultural sector.

Original Description

The Christie’s Rostrum has seen 260 years of history, countless masterpieces and its fair share of dramatic moments. Its original design came from Thomas Chippendale, the leading designer of his time. Over the centuries it became a symbol of our commitment to truly exceptional art and objects.

Now, it will take on a new shape that honours the past and invites the future at once. Designed by the renowned Jony Ive and his creative collective LoveFrom. Here, he and David Snowdon, Honorary Chairman of Christie’s in Europe, the Middle East and Africa — a well-practiced carpenter and craftsman himself — discuss the process of carrying on the rostrum’s legacy through its design, its craft and its unique utility.

For more information visit: https://www.christies.com/en/stories/christies-new-rostrum-jony-ive-lovefrom-1cfeb1512b02407284cd9c5c349f8c3b