50 Years in Asia: Sotheby’s Legacy of Luxury & Cultural Excellence

2023 marks a significant milestone for Sotheby’s in Asia, as they commemorate their 50th anniversary. As the first international company to hold auctions in Hong Kong and establish a permanent presence in the region, Sotheby’s has become much more than an auction house. It has evolved into a destination for cultural expertise and appreciation, attracting discerning collectors and lovers of fine arts and luxury from Asia and beyond.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Sotheby’s has curated an extraordinary lineup of events, exhibitions, and landmark auctions throughout the region. This grand celebration honours the legacy that Sotheby’s has built hand in hand with the Asian collector community and alongside the region’s esteemed museums and institutions.

Looking back at the history of Sotheby’s in Asia, it’s clear why this institution holds such a prominent position in the art world. In 1973, Sotheby & Co. achieved a record-breaking auction result in Hong Kong with the sale of a fluted Xuande mark and period bowl, reaching an impressive US$2.3 million.

Throughout the years, Sotheby’s Hong Kong continued to make waves, setting numerous auction records. From Zhang Daqian’s ‘Grand View of the Blue Mountains’ selling for a then-world record of HK$7.84 million in 1988 to achieving white-glove auctions in the wine category with 16 consecutive successes, Sotheby’s has consistently pushed boundaries and elevated the art market in Asia.

Noteworthy milestones include setting a global auction record for jadeite jewellery with the Hutton-Mdivani necklace, fetching an astounding US$27.44 million in 2014, and a palm-sized Ming dynasty ‘chicken cup’ reaching a new auction record for Chinese porcelain at US$36 million.

Sotheby’s 50 Years in Asia not only celebrates the remarkable achievements and milestones of the past but also sets the stage for the future. As Sotheby’s embarks on the journey into the next era of its presence in Asia, this iconic institution remains committed to excellence, luxury, and showcasing the cultural heritage and creativity of the region for the next 50 years to come.