NEW YORK, NY.- Christies International, the worlds leading art business, today announced that 2009 sales totaled £2.1 billion/$3.3 billion, a 24% decrease in £ (35% decrease in $) over 2008 sales. Sales totals include private sales of £265.7 million/$417.2 million, a decrease of 1% by £ on 2008 figures, and reflect those brokered by Christies as well as sales conducted by Christies wholly-owned subsidiary, Haunch of Venison. In 2009, Christies achieved 56.4% global auction sales market share against its main competitor and sold 61% of the works sold over $10 million and 60% of the lots sold over $5 million. Christies sold 4 of the top 5 and 7 of the top 10 works of art sold during the year. For the year, Christies sold a total of 381 works of art at auction for more than $1 million. The market