Christie’s Achieves HK$1.02 Billion in 2026 Hong Kong Autumn Asian Art Sales

Christie’s led the 2026 Hong Kong Asian Art Week with a series of eight live auctions held between 27 and 30 October. The combined hammer price totalled HK$1,015,510,880 (US$129,434,656), exceeding the low estimates by 111%. This result represents the highest seasonal total for Christie’s Hong Kong Asian art sales since 2018.

The auctions covered a range of categories including Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy, Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, and Himalayan gilt-bronze sculptures. The Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings sales together realised HK$230,143,200 (US$29,340,023), achieving a hammer price 115% above the low estimate.

Among the highlights was Bada Shanren’s album Flowers and Birds, which sold for HK$61,900,000 (US$7,894,478), more than five times its low estimate, becoming the most valuable Chinese Classical Painting of the season. In the Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings category, Li Keran’s Sailing in River Li achieved HK$12,800,000 (US$1,631,265).

The third chapter of the Ai Lian Tang Collection realised HK$214,490,000 (US$27,334,155), bringing its three-season total to HK$737,824,100 (US$94,026,754). This collection ranks as the third most valuable Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art single-owner collection sold at auction. The Au Bak Ling Collection Volume III sold for HK$140,527,200 (US$17,908,491), with a three-season total of HK$335,446,700 (US$42,748,623).

A standout lot was a monumental 12th-century gilt-copper-alloy figure of Manjushri, which fetched HK$137,350,000 (US$17,507,976), more than double its low estimate. This sculpture set a new world auction record for a Himalayan gilt-bronze piece and was the highest-value work offered during the season. Another notable item was an imperial gold ewer and cover made for the Qianlong Emperor, which sold for HK$55,800,000 (US$7,111,035).

Geographically, Greater China led as the primary buying region, followed by Southeast Asia. Notably, Millennials and Gen Z collectors accounted for more than half of all new buyers during the auctions. In parallel with the sales, Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters at The Henderson hosted an exhibition titled 'The Royal Academy International Exhibition of Chinese Art 1935–36: A Commemorative Tribute' through 6 November 2026, celebrating Christie’s 40th anniversary in Asia.