Christie’s sales worldwide continue to increase across multiple categories as the global art market continues to expand.  While record results in Hong Kong reaffirm it as a growing global art hub and Asia as the fastest growing art market in the world, the strength of the European art market was also firmly illustrated by Christie’s sales across the region. Following a blockbuster year in 2010 for the sale of collections in the US, Christie’s New York saw fewer collections come to the market but a continuing renewed confidence in the market for fine art, antiques, jewellery and watches and wine driven by increasing participation from private and trade collectors. Spanning the global activities of the company, at all market levels, a growing client base continues to acquire works of art.

“The continued demand for art in the first half of this year is a clear indication of the enduring vigour and passion for great works of art throughout the world,” commented Steven P. Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Christie’s International.  “Christie’s results reflect the firm’s commitment to serve a global audience. As our company continues to evolve to meet the needs of collectors worldwide, we continue to keep art, experience and expertise at the centre of Christie’s activities.”

Strength and Depth of the Market at All Price Levels

In the first half of 2011, Christie’s increased the number of lots sold by 30% year-on-year and led the market at all price levels demonstrating its commitment to serving collectors who participate at differing price levels.  Christie’s sold 8 of the top 10 lots offered in the public marketplace each selling for in excess of $20 million. The company also sold 376 lots over $1 million at auction.

The strength and stability of the auction market continues to be demonstrated by high sell-through rates at all price levels. In the first half of 2011, average auction sold rates (by lot) were 79.0%; on a par with the corresponding period last year. Works priced between £500,000 and £1 million also continue to sell particularly well, with average sell-through rates in excess of 90%.  Concurrently, the solid performance of Christie’s regional salerooms such as Christie’s South Kensington which secured its highest half-year sales total ever at £59.1 million ($96.4 million), reflects the continuing demand for art in the middle market.

Client Activity

A widening group of collectors continue to participate in the art market and to be served by Christie’s. In the first half of 2011, the number of clients who registered for a sale was on a par year-on-year, whilst the number who went on to buy in Christie’s sales increased by 14%.

Echoing Christie’s 2010 results, Continental Europe, the US and the UK continue to account for the highest proportion of new clients with 78% of new clients in the first half of 2011 from these regions.  Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) accounted for 13% of new client registrations in the period, an increase of 20% year-on-year. Christie’s Hong Kong provides their key entry point although other Christie’s Asian Art sales in New York, London and Paris attracted many new clients from the region. Whilst client registrations from other BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries still represented a small number overall, registrations from Brazil grew threefold.

Buying Trends

Collectors at the highest levels are increasingly participating in the market across multiple categories. These include the “Medici” collector – or client who pursues the very best works of art across multiple categories, evoking the prosperity and taste of the Renaissance Medici dynasty. They are also increasingly drawn to acquiring an exciting juxtaposition of works of art from multiple categories and eras – crossing national and collecting boundaries.  Buyers collecting and displaying works of art from a broad range of categories is something that Christie’s anticipates will grow in the future.

Clients from Russia and CIS countries further extended their buying in Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art, 20^th Century Decorative Arts and Post-War and Contemporary Art sales in the first half of the year. Buyers from Greater China increased their spend in Christie’s Furniture sales and Old Master Paintings sales worldwide as evidenced by the recent sale of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s A male nude, seen from behind (recto); Studies of male nudes (verso) to a private Asian buyer for £3.2 million ($5.1  million/€3.5 million).  Buyers from Greater China continued to be the largest buyers of Wine and Asian Art globally.  There was also a significant increase in spend from Middle East buyers in Christie’s Jewels and Watches sales globally.

Widening Routes to the Art Market

Online bidding via Christie’s LIVE^TM continues to be adopted by collectors around the world.  In the first half of 2011, online bidding continued to deliver both a large number of winning bids and new registrants: registrants grew by 27% – nearly one-fifth (19%) of Christie’s clients now bid online (up 2% year-on-year) with the total value of lots sold online rising 24% year-on-year to £37.5 million ($59.9 million).

Christie’s Private Sales secured £286.7 million ($467.3 million) of sales in Jewellery, Old Masters, Impressionist and Modern Art, Asian Art, American Art and Post-War and Contemporary Art, up 57% year-on-year.  Christie’s expects this growth to continue.  Complementary to its auction sales business, Christie’s private sales offering allows clients to access the market with discretion and in a timely fashion.

Leading the Development of the Art Market

In a bid to provide its clients with highly informative and aspirational experiences with art and the best possible service, Christie’s continues to innovate. Christie’s Masterpieces exhibition in London in June illustrated the juxtaposition of works of art across multiple categories, each a masterpiece. The Venice Biennale i-Phone application was a clear favourite with collectors around the world. Christie’s sponsorship of Thomas Struth’s exhibition at Whitechapel Gallery in London which opened on 6^th July is an indication of the firm’s ongoing commitment to broader arts activities. Christie’s second Green Auction: Bid to Save the Earth this Spring in New York was a success both in terms of the $2.4 million that it raised for the environment and its ability to convene artists, business leaders, celebrities, environmentalists and leading families of the 21^st century around the world, all committed to a common cause.

Looking Ahead

Highlights of the latter half of the year include:

• A landmark series of public exhibitions around the world and special events leading up to the sale of the collection of Elizabeth Taylor, the celebrated film star, fashion icon and humanitarian.  Held at Christie’s Rockefeller Centre, New York on 13^th, 14^th, 15^th and 16^th December, the sales will include jewellery, fashion, accessories, decorative arts and memorabilia and will be followed by the sale of her paintings in Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art sale in London in February 2012.
• Works of art from Cowdray Park, West Sussex, UK, the home of Viscount Cowdray, and Dunecht, Scottish home of Hon. Charles Pearson, to be offered at the largest country house sale of the year at Cowdray Park on 13^th, 14^th and 15^th September.
• The sale of the Fould-Springer collection adorning the Abbey Palace of Royaumont near Chantilly, France on 19^th, 20^th and 21^st September.
• A charity auction of primary market works by 21 leading artists on 22^nd September at Christie’s Rockefeller Centre, New York, hosted by David Zwirner and Ben Stiller. All proceeds will go towards schools in Haiti and Christie’s will waive its fees.