Sotheby’s 2025 Performance: A Record-Breaking Year in Art and Luxury Sales
By: Kayan Wong
04 Feb, 2026 | Wed | 01:26
In a year marked by significant milestones, Sotheby’s has unveiled an impressive set of results for 2025, projecting consolidated sales reaching an astounding US$7 billion—a 17% increase compared to 2024. This growth signals not just a rebound from the pandemic’s economic effects but a flourishing art and luxury market that continues to attract buyers from around the world.
Stellar Growth in the Luxury Division
The Luxury division led the charge, showcasing the strongest growth with sales climbing 22% year-on-year to US$2.7 billion—an all-time high for the company. This segment encompasses everything from rare jewelry to exclusive watches and designer handbags, indicating a robust appetite for luxury items among affluent consumers.
Notably, in the Fine Art category, the auction of Gustav Klimt’s Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer) reached a staggering US$236.4 million, marking it as the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction, underlining the growing significance of collectible art in the luxury landscape.
Impressive Financial Services Performance
Sotheby’s Financial Services also exhibited remarkable growth, finishing the year with a loan portfolio balance exceeding US$1.8 billion—the highest ever in the company’s history. This lending capacity has become a critical component in facilitating art transactions, especially for collectors looking to leverage their holdings for liquidity.
Insights into Asian Markets
Geographically, Asia emerged as a hotspot for activity, with Watches, Jewelry, and Chinese Works of Art being the three most active categories by bidding volume. Sotheby’s hosted two single-owner sales, Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Okada Museum of Art and The Ise Collection, which together garnered approximately HK$1.05 billion (around US$134 million), illustrating the region’s burgeoning interest in art collecting.
For the first time, Sotheby’s held auctions in Abu Dhabi, marking a monumental step in expanding its footprint in the Middle East. During this inaugural Collectors’ Week, bidders from 35 countries participated, of which 23% were from the UAE, highlighting the region’s growing significance in the global art market.
Key Global Sales Metrics
Sotheby’s reported several noteworthy metrics for 2025:
- Total global sales: US$7 billion (+17%)
- Auction sales: US$5.7 billion (+26%)
- Private sales: US$1.2 billion (slightly down by <1%)
- Fine Art sales: US$4.3 billion (+15%)
- Luxury sales: US$2.7 billion (+22%)
The company conducted over 450 auctions across nine countries, attracting bidders from 123 nations, with a remarkable auction sell-through rate of 88%—up from 85% the previous year. On average, 4.5 bidders competed for each lot, and 35% of all participants were first-time bidders, signaling a fresh surge of interest in art and collectible investments.
Top-Tier Artworks and Achievements
2025 also saw several extraordinary sales. Klimt dominated the top tiers, with his artwork Blumenwiese (Blooming Meadow) selling for US$86.9 million, alongside Waldabhang bei Unterach am Attersee fetching US$68.3 million. Other highlights included:
- Vincent van Gogh, Piles de romans parisiens et roses dans une verre (Romans parisiens): US$62.7 million
- Frida Kahlo, El sueño (La cama): US$54.7 million
- 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen: €51.15 million (approx. US$53.9 million)
These figures attest not only to the exceptional quality of works available but also the willingness of buyers to invest premium sums for pieces that carry rich historical and cultural significance.
Dominance in Fine Art
Sotheby’s retained its market leadership across various categories, including Old Masters, Impressionist & Modern, Surrealist Art, and Chinese Works of Art. Remarkably, over the past seven years, Sotheby’s has sold the most valuable collection of the year six times; in 2025, this accolade belonged to the Leonard A. Lauder Collection, with sales totaling US$531 million.
In a notable achievement, Sotheby’s inaugurated its global headquarters at The Breuer Building in New York, launching with six fully sold auctions that reached a total of US$1.17 billion. This event not only marked a new era for the auction house but also demonstrated the strength and resilience of the art market.
Further Highlights in Luxury Sales
The surge in the Luxury division’s performance was underscored by some impressive records:
- December’s Important Watches sale in New York achieved an impressive near-100% sell-out, totaling nearly US$42.8 million.
- Jane Birkin’s iconic Hermès Birkin bag achieved €8.58 million (US$10.1 million), setting a new record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.
- RM Sotheby’s surpassed US$1 billion in annual sales for the first time, led by competitive bidding for rare automobiles.
Asia’s Unique Auction Landscape
By bidding volume, the leading categories in Asia reflected a keen interest in Watches, Jewelry, and Chinese Works of Art, with substantial growth across each category. Rao Jie’s Calligraphy in Cursive Script sold for HK$250 million, setting a new auction record for calligraphy at Sotheby’s. As the demand for art grows, Sotheby’s has reported that over 70% of new buyers in Asia engaged through private sales, showcasing a nuanced approach to cultivated relationships in the art world.
With dynamic growth across various segments and a renewed passion for collectible luxury items, Sotheby’s continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in the global marketplace, adapting to evolving trends and customer interests while capturing record-breaking sales.