DUBAI— It seems like Christie’s learned a lesson after its last outing in Dubai. While the October 2008 paintings auction earned only about half of its expected income — $8.6 million on estimates of $15–18 million — last night’s auction of jewels, watches, and modern and contemporary art scored comfortably within its much more modest estimates of $4.1–5.9 million, Bloomberg reports.

“We have pitched our estimates conservatively and are sensitive to the environment in which we and our clients are operating,” Michael Jeha, managing director of Christie’s Middle East, told Bloomberg.

Christie’s had thought a group of four paintings by the celebrated Syrian artist Fateh Moudarres would be a highlight of the sale, and although all four did well, outperforming their estimates at prices ranging from $18,750 to $98,500, the evening's most expensive lot — and star — was Parviz Tanavoli’s The Wall and the Script, a bronze sculpture that garnered $218,500, beating its estimate of $120–180,000.

A large triptych painting by Abolghassem Saidi of trees swaying in the wind at sunrise also did well, clocking in at $146,500, above its estimate of $80–110,000.

Christie’s became the first international auction house to open an office in the region in April 2005.