Sotheby’s just released its Q4 results. Total sales of $4.8 billion with $774.3 million in revenues to the auction house, of which $161 million went to the bottom line. Those numbers are surpass all previous results save 2007.

• Auction sales up 88 % to $4.3 billion; $2.1 billion increase is largest ever
• Private sales up 5% to $494.5 million
• 609 lots sold for over $1 million (307 in 2009)
• 93 lots sold for over $5 million (38 sold in 2009)
• 37 lots sold for over $10 million (12 sold in 2009)
• 17 lots sold for over $20 million (1 sold in 2009)
• Sales of Impressionist and Modern Art were up 116% to $1.01 billion
• Sales of Contemporary Art were up 97% to $870 million
• Sales of Jewelry were up 113% to $405 million
• Hong Kong Sales were up 135% to $638.9 million