Christie's First Half 2018 Sales Hit Record £2.96 Billion

Christie's achieved its best-ever first-half results in 2018, with combined sales reaching £2.96 billion (€3.32 billion), a 26% increase over the same period in 2017. This record performance surpassed the previous year's success, which had been driven by the $450 million sale of Salvator Mundi. Online sales grew 40% to £27.7 million (€31 million). The landmark sale of the Peggy and David Rockefeller collection in New York contributed approximately 30% of the total, generating over £636 million (€713 million) across more than 1,600 lots, including Impressionist, modern, and contemporary masterpieces. Seven artist records were set, and all lots sold within minutes. Top lots included Picasso's Fillette à la corbeille fleurie ($115 million) and Matisse's Odalisque couchée aux magnolias ($80.75 million) from the Rockefeller collection, and Malevich's Suprematist Composition ($85.8 million) sold in spring auctions. Christie's strategy focuses on expanding online sales, while competitor Sotheby's targets the Indian market.