Global and Chinese antique auction house ranking and market analysis
The ranking of antique auction houses not only reflects the market influence of enterprises, but also reflects the trends and changes in the art trading market. Based on authoritative lists and industry dynamics, this article sorts out the latest rankings of antique auction houses in the world and China, and explores the market logic behind it.
Head pattern of global auction houses: Sotheby’s and Christie’s leading
- Sotheby’s
Founded in 1744, it is one of the oldest auction houses in the world, famous for the auction of books, manuscripts and high-end art. Its business covers 40 countries around the world, with auction centers in New York, London, Hong Kong and other art towns. In 2021, Sotheby’s ranked first in the world with art auction revenue of about $4.4 billion. Although it has faced a decline in revenue (a year-on-year decrease of 22% in the first half of 2023) and executive changes in recent years, its international network and diversified business (such as luxury goods and real estate auctions) have maintained its leading position.
- Christie’s
Founded in 1766, it is known as “the two major photography companies in the world” together with Sotheby’s. Christie is famous for its high-priced lots, such as Da Vinci’s Savior ($450 million transaction) and Microsoft founder Paul Allen’s collection (1.62 billion US dollars transaction). In 2021, its global art auction revenue was about $4 billion, ranking second. In 2025, Christie’s attracted attention due to strategic adjustments (such as the opening of the new headquarters in Hong Kong) and the change of CEO, and the Americas contributed nearly half of its turnover.
- Poly Auction(Poly Auction)
As a representative of China’s auction industry, Poly was established in 2005 and belongs to Poly Cultural Group. Its core business is ancient Chinese calligraphy and painting, porcelain miscellaneous items, etc. It ranked third in the world in 2021 and ranked first in China in 2025. With its branches covering Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and other places, it has become an important force in the Asian market.
The rise of Chinese auction houses: the characteristics and advantages of local giants
- China Guardian
Founded in 1993, it is the first comprehensive auction company in China, with cultural relics and works of art as its main business, with a cumulative turnover of more than 450,000 pieces. Its “Jiade Four Seasons” auction will become the industry benchmark, ranking second in the Chinese list in 2025.
- Huayi International (Holly’s)
Headquartered in Guangzhou, it was established in 1994, featuring Chinese calligraphy and painting, modern and contemporary art. In recent years, it has expanded to the field of jewelry and watches, forming a radiation network of “Beijing-Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Shanghai”, ranking fifth in China in 2025.
- Xiling Printing Company Auction
Relying on the Xiling Printing Society, a century-old academic organization, it was established in 2004 and is famous for its special features such as seal engraving and good ancient books. Its founder, Lu Jingqing, promoted the Western Zhou Bronze Xijia Plate to sell for 210 million yuan, establishing its position in the field of gold and stone.
Market challenges and industry trends
- Economic and environmental impact
Since 2023, the revenue of the global auction industry has generally declined (the revenue of Sotheby’s and Christie’s has both decreased by 22%), some small and medium-sized auction houses (such as Chengxuan Auction) have closed down, and New York galleries and domestic institutions (such as Guanfu Culture) have laid off staff, reflecting the contraction of consumption of high-net-worth customers.
- Digital transformation and emerging fields
Christie’s tried NFT auction (such as Beeple’s $69.35 million transaction) and cryptocurrency payment. Sotheby’s acquired RM to enter the car auction, showing the industry’s transformation to diversification and technology.
- The potential and competition of the Chinese market
Chinese collectors (such as Liu Yiqian and Wang Jianlin) have promoted the boom of high-priced lots, but in recent years, the withdrawal of real estate developers and coal owners has caused the local market to cool down. Poly and Jiade maintain growth by laying out Hong Kong and overseas markets, while Xiling and other enterprises focus on cultural inheritance for differentiated competition.
Summary
In the global auction house ranking, Sotheby’s and Christie’s still dominate the high-end market, while China’s Poly and Jiade are at the forefront with local resources and international expansion. In the future, the industry may face more integration, and digitalization and subdivision fields (such as NFT and luxury goods) may become new growth points. For collectors and investors, choosing an auction house should comprehensively consider its professional field, historical reputation and market adaptability.
If you need to know the complete list or specific shooting business, you can refer to Maigoo Brand List or [Christ, Sotheby’s official website] (https:/ /Www.christies.com/).