Boom in tech wealth is fueling record prices for dinosaur bones, art and watches, auction houses say
Christie's had its best first half since 2021, reporting sales of $4.5 billion, up 71%. Phillips, Heritage and other auctioneers also had breakout starts to the year. There were eight lots that sold for more than $50 million in the first half, compared with none in 2024 and 2025, according to Artnet.
- ▪Christie's had its best first half since 2021, reporting sales of $4.5 billion, up 71%.
- ▪Phillips, Heritage and other auctioneers also had breakout starts to the year.
- ▪There were eight lots that sold for more than $50 million in the first half, compared with none in 2024 and 2025, according to Artnet.
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| Publication time | Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:00:01 GMT |
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A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.The major auction houses racked up nearly $10 billion in sales in the first half, marking one of the strongest-ever starts to the year as the wealthy gained confidence from soaring financial stock markets.Sotheby's reported its best first half ever, with $4.4 billion in sales, up 58% from last year and marking a record for the 282-year-old auction house. Christie's had its best first half since 2021, reporting sales of $4.5 billion, up 71%. Phillips, Heritage and other auctioneers also had breakout starts to the year.
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