Zhaobo Yang, a 29-year-old London-based sculptor and collector, recently purchased his first Chinese antiquity—a Qing dynasty bronze incense burner—after five years of studying the category. He is part of a growing cohort of young collectors drawn to traditional Asian works of art, including ceramics, bronzes, and crafts. According to ArtTactic's China Art Market Report, traditional Asian art sales in Hong Kong surged 32.4% year-on-year to $515 million in 2025, overtaking fine art sales for the first time since 2017. Major auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, and China Guardian have reported record or near-record sales in this category during spring 2025 auctions.
This shift matters because it signals a renewed confidence in traditional Asian collecting categories amid a volatile art market, where contemporary fine art sales have contracted. The trend highlights a generational and cultural pivot: younger collectors like Yang are seeking works that connect them to their heritage and offer long-term value stability. With Hong Kong dominating over 80% of global sales in this segment, the data suggests that Asian antiquities are becoming a resilient and increasingly important pillar of the global auction market, potentially reshaping collector behavior and market dynamics for years to come.