art market 468x324 A Christies Record for a Chinese Oil

A painting by Chinese artist Sanyu fetched a record HK$42.1 ($5.4 million) at a Hong Kong auction as bidders fought for lots, betting that the worst of Asia’s art-market slump is over.

Of the 38 lots offered last week at Christie’s International’s top selection of Asian art, 34 sold, raising a combined HK$181.7 million, according to the London-based auction house.

That’s about twice the company’s presale estimate, said Kate Malin, a Christie’s spokeswoman.
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