NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips announced results from the Spring 2021 Sale Season (January through July).
AUCTION SALES TOTAL - $452,006,870, Up 15% from Spring 2019
PRIVATE SALES TOTAL - $90,673,838, Up 107% from Spring 2019
GRAND TOTAL IN SALES FOR SPRING 2021 - $542,680,708, Up 25% from Spring 2019
Edward Dolman, Phillips Chief Executive Officer, and Cheyenne Westphal, Phillips Global Chairwoman, said, The Spring 2021 sales were truly extraordinary, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with strong international participation across all of Phillips platforms. Our several White Glove sales across New York, Geneva and Hong Kong demonstrate a great sense of optimism and confidence in the market and have led to Phillips maintaining the highest sell-through rates in the industry. There is a palpable energy around the new generation of artists, and this season yielded soaring artist records for emerging artists who are making an important impact in our time.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE AUCTION ROOM
Auction Sales were up 15% from H1 2019
TCA New York Evening and Day Sales were among the most successful in company history the Evening Sale totaling $118.2 million with 100% Sold. New records set for Cinga Samson, Avery Singer, Vija Celmins, Titus Kaphar, and Julie Curtiss. The Day Sale realized $35.5 million, setting records for an astonishing 21 artists. The combined total for the week was $153.8 million.
Phillips achieved the highest sale total in company history for auctions of New Now, Design, Editions, and Watches.
Phillips sold 100% of all watches offered across Hong Kong, Geneva, and online sales, realizing over $68 million total. An unprecedented result was achieved at the Geneva Watch Auction: XIII -- the sale totaled $42.3 million, among the highest watch auction totals in history. Phillips sold 100% of all watches offered across Hong Kong, Geneva, and online sales, realizing over $68 million total. An unprecedented result was achieved at the Geneva Watch Auction: XIII -- the sale totaled $42.3 million, among the highest watch auction totals in history. The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII marked the first various owner, non-thematic white glove watch sale in Asia in history. The spectacular Patek Philippe, reference 2523 with Eurasia dial from 1953, one of only three examples known to date with a cloisonné enamel dial, sold for $7.8 million, the highest price ever for a Patek Philippe wristwatch with enamel cloisonné dial and for any yellow gold wristwatch ever sold at auction.
The spectacular Patek Philippe, reference 2523 with Eurasia dial from 1953, one of only three examples known to date with a cloisonné enamel dial, sold for $7.8 million, the highest price ever for a Patek Philippe wristwatch with enamel cloisonné dial and for any yellow gold wristwatch ever sold at auction.
PHILLIPS MAKES THE MARKET
New auction records were set for a great many artists across all categories including those for Kehinde Wiley, Katherine Bernhardt, Avery Singer, Jennifer Guidi, Flora Yukhnovich, Hernan Bas, Katherine Bradford, Kathy Butterly, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Rose Wylie, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, Niniko Morbedadze, Carlo Scarpa, Jean Dunand, Katsu Hamanaka, Ron Arad, Salman Toor, Emily Mae Smith, Jadé Fadojutimi, Sanya Kantarovsky, Madelynn Green, Hopare and Ye Linghan.
Several artists were introduced to the secondary market, including Rebecca Ness, Felipe Baeza, and Soimadou Ali Ibrahim, Allison Zuckerman, Nikki Maloof, Brandon Landers, and Lina Iris Viktor
The New Now sales in both London and New York achieved record totals, underscoring Phillips strong hold on the market for emerging artists.
In April, Phillips sold its first NFT with Mad Dog Jones Replicator, setting a record for a living Canadian artist. Bitchcoin, Sarah Meyohas Cloud of Petals Project, Jennifer & Kevin McCoys Quantum Leap and Lady Gagas first NFT which figured prominently in the TCA NY Day Sale. In July, Phillips sold a series of NFTs created by contemporary artist ThankYouX in collaboration with award-winning film score composer Hans Zimmer, and $ht Coin by White Male Artist, aka the artist Cassils.
GRAND OPENING OF NEW HEADQUARTERS
Phillips unveiled its sensational new headquarters in New York at 432 Park Avenue to great acclaim, with the June exhibition of 20th Century and Contemporary Art. Designed by Markus Dochantschi of StudioMDA, the innovative vision unites the interior, exterior, and piazza, creating a sense of community by engaging the millions of international passers-by from the sidewalk. The space redefines the centuries-old auction experience as 432 Park Avenue is the only auction room in Manhattan visible from the street and the company looks forward to welcoming bidders into the new saleroom as regulations allow. Please click here for a video lookback at the season.
STRENGTH IN PRIVATE SALES
Private Sales were up 107% from H1 2019 continuing to drive sales globally throughout the year. Phillips produced several exciting selling exhibitions globally including Hebru Brantley, Flawless: Women to Women, Ground / Breaking, Phillips X Andreas Emenius and Milton Avery: A Sense of Place, in association with the Milton Avery Trust & Waqas Wajahat.
Perpetual had an increase in sales of 81% from Q1 to Q2 of 2021 alone. Total Perpetual sales for this year have already reached $8 million.
RISE IN ASIA
In H1 2021, Asia-based buyers account for 34% of Phillips global sales.
Phillips Asia-based clients are active on a masterpiece level, among the top ten lots auctioned by Phillips worldwide in 2021, 40% of lots were bought by buyers from Asia.
Phillips Hong Kong Spring auctions achieved HK$946 million/ US$122 million with four white glove sales, achieving an industry leading combined sell-through rate of 94%, a 121% increase over the previous year (107% increase since Spring 2019) and the highest season total for Phillips in Asia.
Yoshitomo Naras Missing in Action sold for over US$15 million in Hong Kong, setting the second highest price for the artist at auction and the highest auction price for the artist in 1H 2021.
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
122% increase in visitors to the website
126% increase in new clients to the website
84% increase in the number of lots sold online
184% increase in the value of works sold online
All compared to H1 2019
CORPORATE UPDATES
In April, Phillips launched Phillips Art Advisory, offering a comprehensive suite of services that supports clients through every stage of their collections life cyclefrom the initial acquisition of an artwork to long-term collection development and management.
After seven years in his role as Chief Executive Officer, Edward Dolman will be appointed Executive Chairman of Phillips Group of Companies. Phillips is proud to welcome Stephen Brooks as the companys new CEO, beginning in September.