Basquiat tops at approximately 1.55 billion yen. Christie's Hong Kong auction totals 14.6 billion yen, up 28% year-over-year
Christie's Hong Kong auction totaled approximately 14.6 billion yen, up 28%, with Basquiat's work selling for about 1.55 billion yen.Summary
Christie's Hong Kong held its "20th/21st Century Evening Sale" on September 29, achieving a total of HK$726,421,000 including fees (approximately 14.6 billion yen), a 28% increase from the same period last year. All 50 lots (excluding 2 withdrawn before the sale) were sold, achieving a 100% sell-through rate. The top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Ancient Scientist" (1984), which sold for HK$76,975,000 with fees (approximately 1.55 billion yen) against an estimate of HK$56–76 million, making it the most expensive work sold at Asia auctions this autumn, according to Christie's. The second highest was Zao Wou-Ki's "Voie lactée - 09.11.56" (1956) at HK$58,850,000 with fees (approximately 1.18 billion yen). Yayoi Kusama, who passed away in August at age 97, had multiple works offered, including "A-Pumpkin (YHP)" (2011), which sold for HK$58,240,000 with fees (approximately 1.17 billion yen). Arkou Yu, the evening sale director for Christie's Asia Pacific, noted that no significant market changes were expected following Kusama's passing, with prices remaining stable and likely to rise gradually long-term. Supply was also not expected to flood the market in the short term.
(Source：美術手帖)