Auction sales at Christie’s recorded a revenue of 4.5 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, marking the strongest period since the beginning of 2021. Of these, 3.5 billion were derived from auction sales and over 1 billion from private sales. Auction sales increased by 71% compared to the same period of the previous year, supported by significant sales such as the S.I. Newhouse collection sold for 630.8 million dollars.
**Auction sales at Christie’s** showed significant growth, with a sales rate rising to 91% and an average price of works sold at 124% of the lower estimates. This indicates growing confidence among buyers, with a record number of bidders per lot and intense competition even in mid-range sales.
Sales of 20th and 21st-century art increased by 79%, reaching 2.3 billion dollars, while Old Masters sales increased by 232%. These figures highlight a broad recovery in the auction market and strong buyer confidence extending beyond the usual top lots.
Millennials and Gen Z represent nearly half of Christie’s new clients, with 63% entering through online sales. Private sales exceeded one billion dollars, underscoring their growing importance alongside public auctions.
The expansion of Christie’s Art Finance business has supported liquidity and customer retention, expanding geographic and currency coverage. This division is playing a growing role in client engagement, offering art-backed financing options.
Finally, Christie’s management expressed confidence in the market’s strength, highlighting improved sales rates and competitive participation as indicators of robust demand. The market thus seems to have regained some stability, with encouraging prospects for the future.
FAQ
What was Christie’s total revenue in the first half of 2026?
Christie’s reported a total revenue of 4.5 billion dollars in the first half of 2026.
By how much did Christie’s auction sales grow compared to last year?
Christie’s auction sales increased by 71% compared to the same period last year.
Which artworks set sales records at Christie’s in the first half of 2026?
Jackson Pollock’s Number 7A sold for 181.2 million dollars, Constantin Brâncuși’s Danaïde sold for 107.6 million dollars, and Mark Rothko’s No. 15 sold for 98.4 million dollars, all set auction records for the artists.
How important are private sales to Christie’s revenue?
Private sales exceeded one billion dollars in the first half of 2026, becoming a significant contribution to Christie’s overall revenue.
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As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
