Asia Demand Drives Up Art Sales With China, India Targeted

LONDON: Increasing demand from Asian buyers boosted sales at major international auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's in the first half of 2013 with expectations of growing participation by Chinese and Indian collectors in the global art marketplace.

London-based Christie's on Tuesday said global sales hit 2.4 billion pounds in the first six months, up 9 percent on a year ago, aided by the $58 million sale of Jackson Pollock's "Number 19" and as Asian bidders rose 15 percent.