Christie’s Announces 2009 Global Art Sales Total $3.3 Billion
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. For the year, Christie’s sold a total of 381 works of art at auction for more than $1 million. The market