Analysis and Trophy Sales

ArtTactic just released its analysis of the NYC Post War and Contempoary art evening sales.  The sales totals were 19.9% higher than last years and 14% above the high water mark of May, 2008.

The real interesting point ArtTactic makes is the slug fest between Sotheby's and Christie's for not only the top lots, but the competition for the trophy sales which now appear to be driving the two auction house market leaders.

ArtTactic reports

Last week’s Post-War and Contemporary Art evening sales in New York raised a total of $759,680,000 (excluding buyer’s premium) against a pre-sale estimate of $685,800,000 - $906,800,000, which is the second highest total since November 2012 ($764 million). The sales total was 19.9% higher than May 2012 and 14 % above the peak of the market in May 2008.

For the third consecutive season of New York contemporary sales, Christie’s secured the top spot by beating its own record set in November 2012 by 19.8% and reached a historic sales total of $435,475,000. In comparison, Sotheby’s fell 12% short of the low pre-sale estimate with a total sale of $256,245,000. The damage was largely caused by four lots failing to sell; a Francis Bacon estimated at $30-40 million and Jeff Koons ’New Hoover Celebrity IV’ estimated at $10-15 million and two lots by Mark Rothko and Maurizio Cattelan, both lots estimated for $6-8 million.

Despite the record result for Christie’s, the auction market is starting to show signs of strain from the intense competition between the top houses. Sotheby’s failure to meet its pre-sale expectations is symptomatic of a market now heavily reliant on mega sales and record prices. Unless the auction houses can pull in top consignments at the ultra high-end of the market and also consistently sell at these prices, market confidence could quickly change.

Source: ArtTactic