Christie’s auction 15-litre English sparkler

A 15-litre Nebuchadnezzar of English sparkling wine, the largest ever made, is to go on sale at Christie’s to raise funds for a British arts charity.

The equivalent of 10 Magnums, the unique bottle of Chapel Down Blanc de Blancs 2007 sparkling wine was produced to celebrate Turner Contemporary’s one millionth visitor in August 2013 – an arts organisation based in Kent.

Weighing 26kg and capable of pouring 120 glasses, the bottle has been signed by four leading contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Edmund de Waal.

Each artist has accompanied their signature by a sketch which pays tribute to their career and practice, including a shark by Hirst, a self-portrait by Emin, an outline of a male figure by Gormley, and a list of previous installations by Edmund de Waal.

It will go on sale at Christie’s ‘Out of the Ordinary’ auction on 3 September to raise funds for Turner Contemporary’s Catalyst Endowment campaign –  an art outreach fund which aims to make world-class art accessible to all.

Chapel Down CEO, Frazer Thompson said: “We love trying to do things differently, to surprise and delight our customers, and this [bottle] is a great example of that. Turner Contemporary has done a terrific job in helping to regenerate Kent. We like to feel that our rolling vineyards are doing the same and, perhaps, helping to inspire a new generation of artists.”

The Nebuchadnezzar will go on display at Christie’s South Kensington from 5 August with an estimated price of £10,000 to £15,000.

All proceeds raised from the sale will go toward Turner Contemporary’s Catalyst Endowment Fund.

Every £1 raised will be matched by £1 funding from the Catalyst Endowment Fund, which is supported by Arts Council England and DCMS.