The Facts
On September 30, 2026, Christie's announced its Hong Kong 20th/21st Century Evening Sale, held September 29, 2026, totaled HK$726.4 million ($92.6 million), up 28% year-on-year with 100% of lots sold. Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Ancient Scientist' led at HK$76.98 million ($9.8 million), the top price of Asia's autumn season, sold by President Asia Pacific Rahul Kadakia. Zao Wou-Ki's 'Voie Lactée – 09.11.56' brought HK$58.9 million ($7.5 million); a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin painting made HK$58.2 million ($7.4 million). The sale set Asia records for Cézanne, Matisse, Dalí, and Rubens, whose 'Landscape with Willows' fetched HK$19.2 million ($2.4 million), and day sales continue on September 30, 2026.
The Signal
The results signal cross-regional demand for postwar and Old Master material in Asia, with the 28% gain and perfect sell-through indicating collectors are chasing quality at accessible estimates. Records for Cézanne, Matisse, Dalí, and Rubens underline the region's broadening appetite beyond modern Chinese masters, a signal for consignors pricing Western works into Asian sales. Christie's, marking 40 years in Asia and its 260th anniversary, now tests momentum with day sales on September 30, 2026.
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- Artists: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Zao Wou-Ki, Yayoi Kusama, Paul Cézanne, Chu Teh-Chun, Liu Ye, Peter Paul Rubens, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí
- People: Rahul Kadakia, Arco Yu
- Auction Houses: Christie's
- Locations: Hong Kong
- Prices: HK$726,421,000, US$92,589,911, HK$76,975,000, US$9,811,264, HK$58.9M, US$7.5M, HK$58.2M, US$7.4M, HK$19,200,000, US$2,447,240
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