Christie’s Marks 40 Years in Asia-Pacific with Curated Collectibles for Auction

South China Morning Post (SCMP)
South China Morning Post (SCMP)May 21, 2026

Why It Matters

The event underscores the resilience of the high‑end collectibles market in Asia amid broader economic uncertainty and highlights Hong Kong’s strategic role for global auction houses seeking growth. Strong recent sales and marquee lots signal sustained investor and collector demand, supporting pricing power and regional expansion plans.

Summary

Christie’s is marking 40 years in the Asia‑Pacific with a Hong Kong season of high‑value collectibles, led by a standout jade necklace estimated at HK$110–200 million and other marquee lots including a rare red diamond, luxury watches and trophy handbags. The house showcased results and inventory at its Henderson headquarters, noting Hong Kong luxury sales totaled about US$250 million last year, roughly a 9% year‑on‑year increase. Christie’s emphasized its regional footprint grown since 1986 — with offices across mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East — and continued collector appetite for rare jewels, wine and handbags. Auction offerings such as the Kronos collection and unique Birkin‑style pieces underline the focus on scarcity and provenance to drive bidding.

Original Description

In partnership with: Christie’s
Auction house Christie’s is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Asia-Pacific with Hong Kong Luxury Week Spring 2026, during which a curated selection of jewellery, watches, handbags and fine wines will be on offer through a series of live auctions running from May 22 to 28.
Rahul Kadakia, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific, presents highlights from the collections, including a jadeite bead necklace that is expected to fetch HK$110 million (US$14 million). The week concludes with a two-day sale of sought-after timepieces, including three models by Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet from the Kronos: Titans of Time Collection.
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