Low Van Gogh Price at Christie's Asia Headquarters Sets Tone for Future Auctions

Overview of Christie's Asia Headquarters Auction

The debut evening sale at Christie’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong occurred on September 26 amid ongoing economic challenges. Although the auction showcased notable works, such as Les canots amarrés by Vincent van Gogh, the results echoed a cautious atmosphere surrounding art purchases.

Key Results and Insights

• The top lot, Van Gogh's painting, fetched a hammer price of HK$215 million, less than its presale estimate of HK$230 million.
• Independent art adviser Alexandre Errera remarked that while bidding for top-tier pieces was thin, there remains an appetite for Western art.
• Christie’s faced a significant downturn, with previous sales declining notably over the last two years.

Notable Performers at Auction

1. Claude Monet’s Nymphéas sold for HK$200 million, while Zao Wou-Ki's 05.06.80 – Triptyque achieved HK$80 million.
2. A surprise highlight was Ronald Ventura's State of Bloom, hitting HK$30 million.
3. The Au Bak Ling Collection of Chinese ceramics achieved a 100% sell-through rate during its opening sale.

This inaugural auction reflects the current scene in the art market, which remains cautious yet resilient despite economic pressures.