Hokusai's "The Great Wave" Smashes Record, Selling for $2.8 Million USD at Sotheby's Hong Kong
As a part of the artist’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series.
Summary
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Sotheby’s Hong Kong achieved a record-breaking, “white-glove result” at its Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Okada Museum of Art Auction
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Total sales for the auction reached an astonishing $88 million USD, setting a new benchmark for Asian art.
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The star lot was Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print, ‘The Great Wave: Under the Wave off Kanagawa’, which sold for a record price of $2.8 million USD
The global art market continues its momentum, following last week’s successes in New York with a record-shattering result in Asia. Sotheby’s Hong Kong, operating under its prestigious Maison banner, recently hosted the Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Okada Museum of Art Auction, an event that achieved a remarkable “white-glove result” (100% sold). This particular piece of highly recognizable work sold for $21.7 million HKD ($2.8 million USD). The total sales for the evening reached an astonishing $688 million HKD ($88 million USD), establishing a new benchmark for Asian art auctions.
The undisputed highlight of the sale, and the piece driving much of the market excitement, was Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print, “The Great Wave: Under the Wave off Kanagawa.” This celebrated work, instantly recognizable as a masterpiece of Japanese art, captivated bidders and sold for a price that significantly exceeded expectations, contributing massively to the night’s final tally. The print is part of Hokusai’s famous Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series and is highly sought after for its exceptional condition, powerful composition, and historical significance.
This record sale underscores the robust health of the high-end art market and confirms Hong Kong’s critical role as a global center for luxury and investment-grade Asian masterpieces. The demand shown for works of this caliber, particularly those with such widespread cultural resonance, demonstrates a strong and deep-pocketed collector base worldwide.
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