Fine art was once regarded primarily as a cultural or emotional asset—meant to be displayed, appreciated, and eventually passed down through generations. But as the art market became increasingly sophisticated and intertwined with global finance, this view shifted. Collectors now leverage high-value works as financial instruments, using blue-chip art as collateral to access capital without parting with the underlying asset.[1]Continue Reading Art as Collateral: The Legal Landscape of Art-Backed Lending

When Christie’s Auction House first entered the secondary art market of mainland China in 2005, it licensed its brand to a local auction house and received a total of RMB 97,000,000 (roughly $12,100,000) for its inaugural sale.[1] With eight years of experience in this nascent market, Christie’s started its independent business by establishing a branch in Shanghai and obtaining an auction license shortly afterward. Early March this year, Christie’s realized a total of RMB 222,030,200 (roughly $35,000,000) in its inaugural sale, selling 95% by lot and 90% by value, at its new gallery, BUND ONE, a century-old historical building in the heart of Shanghai.[2]
Continue Reading Unroll the Scroll Painting: Inside the Chinese Art Market and Its Regulatory Landscape