The most interesting piece of information in this chart of sales data just released by Christie’s is that Asian Art rose 4% in dollar terms, higher in Sterling. It was the only category to show an increase. Of course, these numbers also mask the lopsided results from 2008 where the first half of the year was bigger than ever before and the second half was a return to levels from half a decade ago. Here’s what Christie’s sent out:

For the year, auction division totals with premium were £2.5 billion/$4.6 billion
(down 12% over 2007 in £ and 20% in $.)

Private sales for 2008, including dealer sales of wholly-owned subsidiary
Haunch of Venison, were £267.6 million/$487.0 million, up 1% over 2007 in £ and down 9% in $.

Select International Departments – Auction Sales for 2008 Full Year

Impressionist and Modern Art  -8% in £ and -17% in $ to £659.6 million / $1.200 billion
Post-War & Contemporary Art -23% in £ and -30% in $ to £596.7 million / $1.086 billion
Asian Art    +15% in £ and +4% in $ to £372.9 million / $678.7 million
Jewellery, Jadeite & Watches  +5% in £ and -5% in $ to £250.0 million / $455.0 million
European Furniture   +2% in £ and -8% in $ to £124 million / $225.7 million
Old Master Pictures    -21% in £ and -29% in $ to £118.7 million / $216.1 million
American Pictures   -19% in £ and -27% in $ to £59 million / $107.5 million
Russian Works of Art    -55% in £ and -59% in $ to £32.4 million / $59.0 million
Books and Manuscripts  -21% in £ and -29% in $ to £27.6 million / $50.1 million
Latin American Paintings  -9% in £ and -18% in $ to £27.4 million / $49.8 million

(Geographical numbers after the jump.)
Select International Sale Centres – Auction Sales for 2008 Full Year

Europe including UK -4% in £ and -14% in $ to £1.236 billion/ $2.250 billion
King Street  -1% in £ and -11% in $ to £893.4 million / $1.626 billion
South Kensington -4% in £ and -14% in $ to £76.7 million / $139.5 million
Paris   -6% in £ and -15% in $ to £117.8 million / $214.5 million
Switzerland  -16% in £ and -25% in $ to £77.3 million / $140.6 million
Amsterdam  -24% in £ and -32% in $ to £37.8 million / $68.9 million
Italy   -4% in £ and -14% in $ to £26.1 million / $47.5 million

United States   -22% in £ and -30% in $ to £1.022 billion / $1.861 billion
Rockefeller  -22% in £ and -30% in $ to £1.022 billion / $1.861 billion

Hong Kong   +6% in £ and -4% in $ to £248.5 million / $452.3 million