China Guardian: Pioneering the Chinese Art Market
Founded in 1993 in Beijing, China, China Guardian is a major player in the art market, particularly for Chinese art. It was the first auction house to specialise in the sale of Chinese art and the first Chinese auction house to go international. With a wide range of items for sale, including Chinese paintings, ink paintings, calligraphy, porcelain, oil paintings, furniture, and sculpture, China Guardian has led the Asian art market with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Japan, and North America. The China Guardian has witnessed several historic sales in its 26-year history.
One notable sale was the “Album of Mountains and Rivers” by Qi Baishi, China’s most famous artist, which fetched an impressive $6 million. Another notable sale was a rare family rose vase of ” eight immortals crossing the sea ” for an undisclosed amount. With more than 1,200 auctions and a turnover of more than 50 billion yuan, China Guardian has established its dominance in the Asian market. In particular, it broke regional records with the sale of Qiu Ying’s Red Cliff for over $10 million.
Heritage Auctions: A Treasure Trove of Collectibles
Founded in 1976 in Dallas, Texas, Heritage Auctions may have a relatively short history compared to industry giants like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, but it has already established itself as the world’s largest collectibles house. What sets Heritage Auctions apart is its specialised collections, which include rare coins, Western art, vintage comic books, jewellery and watches, books and manuscripts, Civil War memorabilia, and even space memorabilia.
Heritage Auctions has achieved remarkable sales results, demonstrating its expertise in the collectibles market. For example, a rare 1792 penny, the first ever struck by the Philadelphia Mint, sold for an astounding $1.2 million. In addition, a collection of Lalique crystals fetched an impressive $1.7 million. Despite being a “new kid on the block,” Heritage Auctions has proven itself to be one of the top auction houses in the world.
Beijing Poly International Auction Company: Leading the Way in Mainland China
Founded in 2005 in Beijing, China, Beijing Poly International Auction Company has become the most influential auction house in mainland China, surpassing its competitor, China Guardian. It specialises in modern and contemporary art and has made significant progress in the Asian market. The auction house boasts an esteemed art collection that includes ancient paintings, calligraphy, antiques, ink paintings, ceramics, porcelain, rare books, manuscripts, wines, watches, jewellery, and scientific instruments.
With its expansion to Shanghai, Japan, Taiwan, and the U.S., Beijing Poly International Auction Company generates billions of dollars in sales each year. Notable sales include “The Jade Dragon,” which sold for up to $12 million in 2013, and Qi Baishi’s “Album of Insects,” which sold for a staggering $18 million in 2015.
Sotheby’s: An Essential Piece of Auction History
Founded in 1744 in London, England, Sotheby’s occupies a prominent place in the history of art auctions. As the fourth oldest auction house in existence and the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Sotheby’s has a rich legacy. It was the first international auction house to expand from London to New York in 1955, and the first international auction house to establish a presence in China in 2012. Today, Sotheby’s conducts auctions in ten different sales rooms, maintains offices in 40 countries, and offers items in more than 70 categories, ranging from fine art and retail to diamonds, automobiles, and wine.
Throughout its history, Sotheby’s has achieved many notable sales, solidifying its reputation as a household name in the auction house industry. Some of these notable sales include Andy Warhol’s “Orange Marilyn,” which sold for $17,327,500 in 1998, and Edvard Munch’s masterpiece “The Scream,” which fetched a record-breaking $119,922,500 in 2012. Sotheby’s has also handled the collections of such iconic figures as Greta Garbo, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Gianni Versace, and David Bowie.
Christie’s: The Ultimate Art Auction House
Founded in 1766 in London, England, Christie’s is widely recognised as the world’s foremost auction house. With 85 offices in 43 countries and the world’s busiest auction room in South Kensington, Christie’s is a powerhouse in the industry. In 1988, it became a private company, acquired by billionaire Francois Pinault’s private holding group, Artemis. Since then, Christie’s has expanded its offerings to include fine art, real estate, jewellery, fashion, and antiques.
Christie’s has a long history of breaking records and staging prestigious sales. It has been involved in numerous notable auctions, including the sale of Marilyn Monroe’s Jean Louis dress, which she wore when she famously serenaded President Kennedy with “Happy Birthday,” and Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, which became the most expensive work of art ever sold, reaching a staggering $450.3 million. In 2016, Christie’s celebrated its 250th anniversary, and its auction of the Rockefeller Collection set a record as the most significant charity auction ever held, raising $832.6 million.
In response to the rise of e-commerce, Christie’s launched an online auction service, gaining the trust of clients who have embraced this new medium. However, the excitement of a live Christie’s auction, featuring some of history’s most treasured collectibles, remains unmatched.
