Global art sales, including premiums, hit £2.8bn ($5.1bn), an 11 per cent fall on the previous year in sterling terms, 19 per cent in dollars. Of that, £267.6m ($487m) came from private sales (including Haunch of Venison) – a one per cent rise on 2007.
Christie’s said their online auction business, now two years old, saw bids and underbids totalling a premium-inclusive £57m ($82m). King Street results were just one per cent down on the previous year at £893.4m, while South Kensington saw a four per cent fall to £76.7m.
Sotheby's are due to release their full set of results on February 26 but have confirmed global sales at $5.3bn.
