London gallerist and art collector Charles Saatchi is offering up 50 large sculptures and installations at an upcoming Christie's sale. Bucking tradition, Saatchi is consigning the works with no estimates or reserve prices. While the sale details emerged in the wake of his high-profile split from food writer Nigella Lawson, a gallery rep said the auction plans had "absolutely nothing to do with the divorce."

A divorce was granted this week between Saatchi and Lawson. It comes on the tail of published photographs that were taken of the two arguing at a restaurant. Saatchi was shown clutching Lawson's neck.

Philippa Adams, Saatchi gallery director, told the Guardian that the auction had long been planned. She said, "We think it's really important to open things up and give museums a chance to have a crack at acquiring these works – they need to be enjoyed and shown."

Among the pieces is Tracey Emin's full-size four-poster with embroidered hangings.

Francis Outred, head of postwar and contemporary art at Christie's, said to the Guardian that Saatchi came up with the idea of offering the works with no reserve price (the lowest amount a work will be sold for) or pre-sale estimates, a practice not followed by the auction house since the 1970s.