Editor’s Note
Christie’s has reported a strong year, with total sales reaching $6.2 billion in 2025, a 6% increase over 2024. The results were driven by robust auction performance and a high sell-through rate, underscoring continued resilience in the high-end art market.
The auction house has presented its 2025 annual report, showing total sales of $6.2 billion as of mid-December publication, an increase of +6% compared to $5.8 billion in 2024. Sales were split between auctions ($4.7 billion in sales, +8%) and private purchases ($1.5 billion). Christie’s benefited from a sell-through rate of 88% and a hammer price to low estimate ratio of 113%, up +6%.
Regarding auctions, the luxury segment was particularly attractive with $795 million in sales. This department recorded a remarkable progression of +17% compared to last year. Luxury remains the primary entry point for 38% of Christie’s new buyers, demonstrating these consumers’ interest in high-end pieces put up for auction, which are seen as guarantees of a solid return on investment.
Automobiles were not left behind with growth of +14% ($234 million). Works from the 20th and 21st centuries still represent the strongest market for Christie’s with $2.8 billion in sales (+6%). Classical arts and Old Masters showed respective progress of +15% ($285 million) and +24% ($182 million). Only Asian and World arts experienced a decline this year, at -6% ($351 million).
Online auctions generated 81% of sales and were particularly appreciated by new buyers, with 63% of them making their first purchase online, with an average price of $22,700 (excluding wines). New buyers from 2024 remained loyal to Christie’s in 2025 as the value of their purchases was boosted by +54% in one year and 22% of them bid in a new category. It is worth noting that 46% of new bidders and buyers were born after the 1980s: a figure up +5% which indicates, according to the house, “strong growth potential for the future.”
Buyers from the EMEA region were increasingly numerous in Christie’s auctions – 36% this year versus 32% last year – despite a -3% decrease in the total value of their acquisitions ($1.4 billion). Americans continued to dominate the market, representing 41% of the company’s buyers with $2.6 billion in sales, up +15%. Asian buyers were less present than last year (23% vs. 26% in 2024) and spent $686 million.
