Annual revenues for the auction house Christie's has reached 6.27 billion (an increase of 10%compared with 2011), of which 1 billion accounts for private sale

Source: Press Release Christie's

The Year

Global interest in art continues to contribute to the emergence of new collectors who buy art. By 2012, the average number of participants in each auction Christie's has increased by 53%in ten years, and the total sales revenue for the year totaled 3.92 billion pounds (6.27 billion dollars), a growth of 10%compared to 2011 year (all figures include buyer's premium). The overall result takes into account revenue for the private sales, which in 2012 amounted to 631.3 million pounds ($ 1 billion), an increase of 26%compared to the same period last year, thus reaching its highest level in the history of the company and auctions in general.

in international auction was attended by buyers from 136 countries, 19%of all registered participants were new customers.

In 2012 Christie's sold 686 works of art at a price of more than $ 1 million and 49 works at the price of more than $ 10 million. Market at a more affordable price point, where it was concluded the largest number of transactions continued to show reliable results. Department at Christie's South Kensington (London), the auctions which offer art worth between £ 1,000 so far in this year a record number of revenue, which increased by 20%, while the number of customers increased by 10%.

Steven P. Murphy, CEO of Christie's: «More and more people around the world are addicted to art and want to buy it. Moreover, this trend can be seen at all price levels of the art market - one of thousands of pounds to 50 million, as technological developments underline the attractiveness and ease of interaction with Christie's. Access to the market is the key, and we continue to expand our presence on the Internet ».

postwar and contemporary art has led the list of the categories of favorite for the last year with total revenues of 986.5 billion pounds ( $ 1.6 billion) - a 34%percent higher than in 2011. At each price level felt the demand from collectors, the number of which has increased by 14%for works costing up to 100,000 pounds. Gala auction of postwar and contemporary art, held in New York on November 14, 2012 and brought a record result in 412.3 million dollars (259.7 million pounds), was the most lucrative auction in this category in the history of international auctions. Revenue evening auction of postwar and contemporary art, held in London on June 27 was 132.8 million pounds (207.3 million dollars), and the auction was the most profitable in this category in Europe.

A significant increase in revenue on trading results as seen in categories such as Impressionist and Modern Art - 623.6 million pounds (997.7 million dollars, 14%), Old Masters and Art of the XIX century -201.6 million pounds (322 , 6 million, 26%). The most expensive piece of art in 2012, became the canvas by Mark Rothko "Orange, Red, Yellow", gone under the hammer at Christie's in New York on 8 May for 86,882,500 USD /53,867,150 pounds, setting a world record price for the value of contemporary art for all history auctions. Private sales have continued to attract a large number of customers, as reflected in total revenue was 631.3 million pounds ($ 1 billion) for the year 2012 (an increase of 26%compared to last year).

Christie's innovative approach and investment in online technology continues to make the art market more accessible. The first online auction (which was put on the collection of Elizabeth Taylor) took place in December 2011. In 2012, it organized six online auctions, which offer works of art, MEMORABILIA, fashion items and wine in these auctions attended by a large number of customers, 39%of which were new to Christie's. Number of visitors to the site www.christies.com 11%increase compared to last year. 27%of shoppers have made a purchase online, the number of new rates through Christie's LIVE ™ has grown by 4%compared to last year. In November in New York Edward Hopper painting "October on Cape Cod" was sold for 9.6 million dollars to the buyer from the internet, setting a record for a work of art sold online.

Clients from Europe and the United States accounted for 75%of all registered bidders. Despite the fact that the proceeds of auctions of Asian art and on the trading floor in Hong Kong declined slightly, customers from Asia accounted for 19%of all registered bidders (1%more than in 2011). In addition, customers from Asia participated in the auction in all price ranges - from fighting for the work of Rembrandt's "The War in the gorget and hat," which was sold by the auction of Old Masters art 3 July 2012 for 8.4 million pounds (13.2 million dollars ) before the auction in South Kensington, on the site where the number of Asian collectors has increased by 10%.

top 10 lots sold at auction at Christie's in 2012

№	Title	Results	Auction
1	Mark Rothko's "Orange, Red, Yellow" (1961) oil on canvas world auction record price of contemporary art	$ 86,882,500 ₤ 53,867,150	NY May 8, 2012
2	Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" (1905) oil on canvas	$ 43,762,500 ₤ 27,570,375	NY November 7, 2012
3	ANDY WARHOL "Statue of Liberty" (1962 ) screen printing, spray, graphite on canvas	$ 43,762,500 ₤ 27,570,375	NY November 14, 2012
4	Franz Kline "Untitled" (1957) oil on canvas world auction record price of the artist	$ 40,402,500 ₤ 25,453,575	New York November 14, 2012
5	Yves Klein" Pink and Blue "(1960) dry pigment, synthetic rubber, natural sponges, pebbles, cardboard world auction record price of the artist	$ 36,779,111 ₤ 23,561,250	London June 27, 2012
6	Yves Klein "Fiery Color 1" (1962) dry pigments, synthetic rubber, wood, frame, made by the artist	$ 36,482,500 ₤ 22,619,150	NY May 8, 2012
7	John Constable "Dam» oil on canvas The world auction record price of the artist	$ 35,210,321 ₤ 22,441,250	London July 3, 2012
8	Jeff Koons' Tulips »(1995-2004) mirror polished stainless steel with transparent color coating world auction record price of the artist	$ 33,682,500 ₤ 21,219,975	New York November 14, 2012
9	FRANCIS BACON "Sketch for Self-Portrait" (1964) oil on canvas	$ 33,632,135 ₤ 21,545,250	London June 27, 2012
10	FRANCIS BACON "Portrait of Henrietta Moraes" (1963)	$ 33,474,363 ₤ 21,321,250	London February 14, 2012

Stephen P. Murphy, "As the desire for collecting continues to grow, we are pleased to note the emergence of new collectors on the market. And we will continue to develop the business in such a way as to meet the needs of existing and still preparing to enter the market of collectors, as well as all lovers of art ».

Future Plans

From 26 to 31 January of Christie's New York will hold a week of Old Master art, which will include the annual auction "Art Old Masters" and "Old Master Drawings" and two additional auctions. Start trading will auction called "Albrecht Durer - masterpieces from the private collection", including lots which will be prints of the artist, have never come across an auction. Then follow the auction "Renaissance", which will be held on January 30 and will include the works of art created during the Renaissance as other great creators as Fra Bartolomeo, Botticelli, Bronzino, Cranach and others. At five weeks old masters auction a total of 400 lots will be on display.

from 6 to February 14, Christie's in London will hold exhibitions and auctions dedicated to the art of Impressionist and modern and the post-war and contemporary art. From 6 to 8 February will be a series of auctions of Impressionist art, led lyrical portrait of lover and muse Amedeo Modigliani "Jeanne Hebuterne (in hat)," 1919 (estimate 16-22 million pounds). Auction of postwar and contemporary art from 13 to 14 February will include the work of David Hockney, called "The Great Pyramid of Giza with a broken head from Thebes," in 1963, written during his first visit to Egypt at the age of 26 years (estimate 2,5-3 , 5 million pounds).

In early 2013, Christie's will hold the first online auction in the history of cooperation with the Andy Warhol. During 2013 will be five online auctions, which will be offered from the Andy Warhol Foundation's collection, so that the post-war and Contemporary Art will be sold for the first time over the Internet. Limited-time online auctions allow customers to download catalog, to bet, to get daily updates by e-mail or phone, arrange delivery and pay for the goods from all over the world. Proceeds from the sales will be directed to the grants and educational programs of The Andy Warhol Foundation.

Source : Press Release Christie's