2016 Christie's Hong Kong Autumn auctions, taking place 25-30 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Founded in 18th century London, Christie's celebrated its 250th anniversary this year.
The autumn sales total reached HK$2.436 billion (US $361 million). Moreover, the season also achieved a series of world records, with 21 alone set by the Christie’s Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art department, including new highs for works by iconic artists such as Sanyu, Lin Fengmian, Chu-teh Chun and Atsuko Tanaka.
A leading highlight of the season is the Pioneers sale, to be presented as a standalone chapter of the Hong Kong evening sale. This unique chapter offered a variety of exquisite and sophisticated works of historical significance and distinguished provenance. Among all the lots, top of the sale series was Chrysanthemums In a Glass Vase by Sanyu, which sold for HK$103,580,000(US $13,412,854). With its simple lines and abstract space, Chrysanthemums In a Glass Vase, painted in the 1950s, reflects Sanyu’s exceptional ability to blend typically Chinese artistic traditions and modern European influences.
This season, Phillips' "20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design" evening sale achieved HK$151,972,500(US$19,589,255), and the total of sales by lot reached 82%. Bonhams, one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art, the sale of “Modern & Contemporary Art auction” also achieved a total of HK$12,106,250 (US$1,560,000).
by YiART assistant editor, Canny Yen
December, 2016