NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s International, the
world’s 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
Christie’s as well as sales conducted by Christie’s wholly-owned subsidiary,
Haunch of Venison. In 2009, Christie’s 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. Christie’s sold 4 of
the top 5 and 7 of the top 10 works of art sold during the year.