C
hristie's is suing Italian real estate investor Nanni Bassani Antivari in Paris for refusing to pay for a $28 million Chardin painting purchased at Christie's France in June. According to court documents, Antivari was the winning bidder of Jean Siméon Chardin's 1760 masterpiece "Cut Melon," which sold above its estimated price range of $8.4 million to $12.6 million.

    Christie's is seeking the full purchase price plus interest and penalty fees, totaling $28.7 million. The hearing is set for December 16. This dispute comes after Christie's touted the sale as a record-breaker, with Antivari reportedly outbidding the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Antivari, 39, has a background in real estate and is registered in Saint Moritz, Switzerland. His father founded a luxury yacht company, while his former business partner, Andrea Pignataro, claims he owes millions in unpaid debt. Antivari's lawyer declined to comment on the case, with Christie's stating it has tried to convince him to pay for six months and that an invoice was due one week after the auction.