Christie's has announced projected global sales of $6.2 billion for 2025, marking a six per cent increase from the previous year's $5.8 billion. The auction house attributed the strong performance to renewed confidence in the art market and consistent selling momentum throughout the year.
Auction sales reached $4.7 billion, up eight per cent year-on-year, while private sales remained stable at $1.5 billion. The second half of the year proved particularly robust, with sales climbing 26 per cent compared to the first half, demonstrating accelerating market activity as the year progressed.
Bonnie Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of Christie's, said: "The energy has returned to the saleroom, online, and across the market. We've seen renewed confidence worldwide, reflected in these outstanding results. Our selling performance has remained consistently strong throughout the year, delivering exceptional, market-leading outcomes for our clients."
Key performance metrics showed improvement across the board. The sell-through rate reached 88 per cent, up from 86 per cent in 2024, while the hammer price to low estimate index climbed to 113 per cent from 107 per cent. Online bidding accounted for 81 per cent of all bids placed, maintaining the previous year's level.
The Americas region led growth with $2.584 billion in auction sales, representing a 15 per cent increase and accounting for 41 per cent of global auction sales. Europe, the Middle East and Africa generated $1.435 billion, whilst Asia-Pacific contributed $686 million, though this represented a five per cent decline from 2024.
Among auction categories, 20th and 21st century art dominated with $2.859 billion in sales, up six per cent. Luxury goods performed exceptionally, rising 17 per cent to $795 million, whilst the newly integrated Automobiles category through Gooding Christie's achieved $234 million, up 14 per cent and marking the company's highest-grossing year in its history.
Old Masters sales surged 24 per cent to $182 million, driven by significant sales including a Rembrandt print that achieved the highest price ever recorded for an Old Master print at auction. Classics sales rose 15 per cent to $285 million, whilst Asian Art and World Art declined six per cent to $351 million.
Notable sales throughout 2025 included Mark Rothko's "No. 31 (Yellow Stripe)" which sold for $62.1 million in New York in November, and Canaletto's "Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day" which fetched £31.9 million in London in July. A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione sold for $25.3 million at Pebble Beach in August, whilst Pablo Picasso's "Buste de femme" achieved $25.4 million in Hong Kong.
Christie's sold two of the top three collections offered at auction globally in 2025. The Leonard and Louise Riggio collection realised $272 million in May, whilst The Collection of Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis achieved $223 million in November. Private sales contributed $1.5 billion to global revenue, with 17 works selling privately for $15 million or more, up from 13 in 2024.
The auction house attracted a growing younger demographic, with millennials and Generation Z clients representing 33 per cent of the buyer base, up from 30 per cent in 2024. New buyers accounted for 38 per cent of Luxury sales and 33 per cent of 20th and 21st century sales. Notably, 63 per cent of new buyers made their first purchase online, with an average price point of $22,700.
The female client base expanded by ten per cent across the auction business, whilst clients from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, increased their spending. Growth was also recorded among the Indian diaspora and broader Asia-Pacific regions.
Christie's appointed new leadership during 2025, with Bonnie Brennan becoming Chief Executive Officer in February. Julien Pradels was promoted to President of the Americas in April, Alexander Rotter became Global President in May, and Rahul Kadakia was appointed President of Asia Pacific in September whilst retaining his role as Head of Global Luxury and Asian and World Art Groups.
The auction house continued its commitment to sustainability, publishing its fifth Environmental Impact Report which documented a 69 per cent reduction in emissions since 2019. Christie's Fund for The Arts expanded partnerships to more than 30 organisations globally, supporting access to art and artist development.
Looking ahead to 2026, Christie's announced several landmark sales including "We the People: America at 250," featuring the Apple Partnership Agreement signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak 50 years ago, and a rediscovered Michelangelo drawing. Gooding Christie's will launch its first Paris auction on 29 January in partnership with Rétromobile, featuring a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Le Mans.
SayArt / Sayart Teams
