2011 Top Ten Prices: Fine Art

Webb's is pleased to announce that, in 2011, we sold more art by value through auction than did any of our competitive colleagues (refer Australian Art Sales Digest). Webb's also secured the highest number of sales of over $100,000. When compared with similar activity in 2010, a greater number of high-value art transactions have taken place in 2011. The auction market over the year was characterised by moderate but promising activity. One would have expected uncertain economic forecasts to curb investment in cultural assets such as art. In practice, collectors have continued to collect although buyers have become more discerning. Increased knowledge on the part of collectors has driven enthusiasm for the best of the best across all genres. Careful consideration of quality, condition and provenance has resulted in a more sophisticated, mature and stable market.