UCL Institute of Archaeology

History, structure and operation of auction houses in China

There is a tremendous growth in the burgeoning art auction industry across Greater China (China, Hong Kong and Taiwan), but the sector is on the whole poorly managed, little understood and faces a challenging future especially entering this new period of economic uncertainty.

This special research project includes an in-depth investigation into the history, structure and operation of the majority of the 200-plus auction houses in China.

The research questions cover three main aspects

• The current economic environment and its impact on the art market
• Governmental Regulations and policies of antique trade and the current problems both from the market and the government legislations
• The training needs of the auction business and the development trend in next 5 years

The findings of this research are based on a large quantity of interview results and desk research. The samples of the interviews covered some key sectors in art industry in the Greater China (China, Hong Kong and Taiwan), including auction houses, government officials, museums, research institutes, private collectors and relevant media. Therefore, the situation, the perception and the requirement from these sectors have been collected as critical materials to support the findings.

Related outputs

• 2009: “Chinese art auctions: Current trends and the future”, report to Creative Connexions

• “Chinese art in western art market, an interview with Wang Tao”, Shanghai Book Review, May 16 2010

• Workshop organised: International Forum on Chinese Art Auction, London, June, 2009. (reported in Art and Collection, no 203 (August 2009). pp. 50-51.

• 2010:“Chinese art in international auctions”, in Chinese Association of Auctioneers, ed., Opinion Collection: 2009 International Forum on Chinese Antiques & Artworks Auction, The Culture and Art Publishing House, pp. 68-75

Funding

• Creative Connexions