2010 art autumn staged six of the most
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September 20, 2025
In 2008, the Chinese art market faced a downturn, but it bounced back in 2009 and saw a strong growth in 2010. This autumn, Beijing Rongbao kicked off the season with a record-breaking sale of 427 million yuan, setting a new benchmark for major auctions. China Jiade's autumn session surpassed 4 billion yuan, closing at 4.133 billion, while Beijing Poly achieved a single-season record of 5.28 billion yuan. Hong Kong Sotheby’s autumn auction reached HK$3.09 billion, later surpassed by Christie Hong Kong’s HK$3.23 billion. Hanhai Qiupai recorded over 1.9 billion yuan, Qiu Qiuqiu Auctions hit 1.56 billion, and Xiling Yinshe concluded with 1.08 billion.
Despite these impressive figures, there are underlying concerns. Xi Mu, a researcher at the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Market Development Center, noted that the current booming auction scene does not equate to true market prosperity. While prices may rise, genuine market health requires long-term development and transformation.
Investor interest in the art market has increased, with new collectors accounting for about 30-40% of participants, yet they contribute nearly 70-80% of the trading volume. The market is undergoing a shift as old and new collectors interact, with capital driving value recognition and shaping the Chinese art capital market.
Throughout the autumn auction season, our reporter highlighted six notable trends. Among them was Wang Yuzhi’s “Peace Replies,†a cursive script work that sold for 308 million yuan, becoming one of the most talked-about pieces. This piece set a new record for the Chinese Guardian after 17 years. Another highlight was the Huanghuali furniture auction, where a six-column canopy bed fetched 43.12 million yuan, marking a new world record. A few weeks later, a Ming Dynasty Huanghuali piece sold for 61.5 million yuan, dubbed the “first place†of the season.
Watches also made a strong appearance, with Christie’s and Sotheby’s seeing high demand from mainland buyers. For the first time, China’s Guardian launched a dedicated watch auction, with over 110 watches selling for 18.712 million yuan. High-end jewelry continued to shine, with a 14.23-carat “Perfect Pink†diamond fetching HK$180 million, making it the most expensive jewel in Asia.
The Maotai wine auction captured attention, with a 1958 earthenware bottle selling for 1.456 million yuan, setting a new domestic record. Meanwhile, the Yongle Autumn Wine Auction faced some challenges, with nearly 100 items withdrawn, though the event still generated nearly 10 million yuan in turnover.
As the Chinese art market continues to evolve, it reflects both its growing strength and the complexities of an emerging capital-driven sector.