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Large auction houses have a positive outlook for Russian art auctions starting in London on November 27, representatives of Sotheby's and Christie's told a TASS correspondent on Friday.

"The market has certainly made a recovery after 2014 when, I think, it did hit a low point," director and head of sales at Sotheby's Russian Pictures Reto Barmettler said adding that now they have a positive outlook as they are many new and established collectors, according to TASS.

Among Sotheby's top lots are paintings "Blind Man's Bluff" by Konstantin Makovsky (1839-1915) estimated at £2-3 mln; "Georgian Woman Wearing a Lechaki" by Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918) estimated at £500,000-700,000; and portrait "Leo Tolstoy Barefoot" by Ilya Repin (1844-1930) estimated at £400,000-600,000.

International Head of Russian Department at Christie's Alexis de Tiesenhausen said that interest in Russian art remains high but noted that it is difficult to provide any concrete forecasts for the upcoming auction.

The expert noted one peculiarity of the Russian art market - the works sold at an auction rarely return on sale. "They do not return to the market, unlike modern art or impressionists, whose works become available again in 10-15 years. I think it is the new generation that is passionate about collecting," de Tiesehausen said.

Among Christie's top lots are paintings "Venice at Sunset" by Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900) estimated at £400,000-600,000; "Self-Portrait in a Gray Smock" and "Portrait of Vera Shukhaeva, the Artist's Wife" by Vasilii Shukhaev (1887-1973) estimated at £300,000-500,000; and stage design for "Daphnis and Chloe" ballet Acts I and III by Leon Bakst (£180,000-220,000).