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trending_up market schedule Oct 5, 2025 visibility 5 link 5 artists

Christie's Hong Kong autumn sale drops 46% from last year but makes Picasso's record in Asia

Christie's 20/21st Century Autumn sale in Hong Kong on September 26 generated $72.6 million, a 46% drop from the same sale last year, though roughly on par with its March sale. The auction marked the first anniversary of Christie's Asia headquarters in the Henderson building. Despite the decline, a Picasso painting, *Buste de Femme* (1944), set a record for the artist in Asia, selling for HK$196.75 million ($25.4 million) after a bidding war. Other top lots included Zao Wou-ki's *17.3.63* (HK$85.2 million) and Yayoi Kusama's *Pumpkin [TWAQN]* (HK$34.66 million). Christie's CEO Bonnie Brennan and Asia Pacific head Cristian Albu emphasized the sale's global bidding participation and the enduring strength of the Asian market. Sotheby's and Phillips also held autumn sales that weekend, with Sotheby's totaling HK$335.7 million and Phillips achieving HK$160 million.

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Christie's Hong Kong autumn sale drops 46% from last year but makes Picasso's record in Asia

Christie's 20/21st Century Autumn sale in Hong Kong on 26 September generated $72.6 million, a 46% drop from the same sale last year and roughly flat compared to its March sale. Despite the decline, a Picasso painting, *Buste de Femme* (1944), set a new Asia record at HK$196.75 million ($25.4 million) after a fierce bidding war. Other top lots included Zao Wou-ki's *17.3.63* (HK$85.2 million) and Yayoi Kusama's *Pumpkin [TWAQN]* (HK$34.66 million). The sale marked the first anniversary of Christie's Asia headquarters in the Henderson building. Sotheby's and Phillips also held autumn sales that weekend, with Sotheby's totaling HK$335.7 million and Phillips achieving HK$160 million.