# Sotheby’s auction market performance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sothebys-auction-market-performance
> Updated: 2026-10-15T21:57:24.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Sotheby’s has reported varying results across recent major auctions in Hong Kong and London.

In late September, the Hong Kong Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction raised approximately $85.59 million, driven by high-performing sales from Yoshitomo Nara and Yayoi Kusama. Simultaneously, a South Asian art auction in London achieved its highest-ever sale for the category, totaling £19.8 million and setting nine new artist records.

By mid-October, a contemporary art auction in London showed signs of a more cautious market. While the sale was led by a Willem de Kooning painting selling for £9.8 million, the total hammer price of £36.9 million fell below the initial low-end estimate. The auction also saw several notable works go unsold or be withdrawn prior to the sale.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Sotheby’s London contemporary art sale reaches $61.1 million

Sotheby’s London contemporary art sale reached $61.1 million, led by a $12.9 million Willem de Kooning painting, amid a cautious market where several high-profile works went unsold.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sothebys-london-contemporary-art-sale-reaches-611-million

### 2026-09-28: Sotheby’s reports major auction results in Hong Kong and London

Sotheby’s achieved major auction successes in Hong Kong and London, with the Hong Kong contemporary sale reaching $85.59 million and the London South Asian art sale setting record totals.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sothebys-reports-major-auction-results-in-hong-kong-and-london

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Cite as: Sotheby’s auction market performance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sothebys-auction-market-performance