CHRISTIE 2008 GLOBAL ART SALES TOTAL 2.8 BILLION/$5.1 BILLION

London New York Hong Kong - Christie's International, the worlds leading art business, today
announced 2008 art sales totals of 2.8 billion-$5.1 billion. The results reflect an 11% decrease in
19% decrease in $ over 2007 sales against the difficult global economic backdrop. The results
were achieved through more than 600 sales in 14 saleroom locations worldwide and include auction
premiums as well as private sales of £267.6 million-$487.0 million. For the year, Christie's sold a
total of 629 works of art at auction for over $1 million each.
Despite the economic turmoil in the second half of 2008, Christies completed the year with 2.8
billion in sales, continued profitability, and a record of offering great quality works to clients around
the world, said Edward Dolman, Chief Executive Officer of Christies International. Christies
continues to lead in key markets across the globe and in the high-end auction sales of Impressionist
and Modern Art, Asian Art, and Jewellery due to our ability to offer the best expert advice to our
clients and market their property globally, employing the most sophisticated, innovative and
compelling strategies. The diversity of our auction business across regions as well as in other areas
such as private sales, Christies Education and Christies Great Estates, continued to introduce an
unprecedented number of collectors to Christies and contributed significantly to Group profit in
difficult economic times.
As we move into 2009, recent results and forthcoming consignments give good reason to remain
positive about the global art market where demand remains strong for well-estimated, unique and
sought after works of art. In addition, and in line with other leading businesses, we have also
implemented significant cost efficiencies and will continue to refine our operating plans to stay at
the forefront of the art market. Following the solid results of our recent sales of Old Master
Pictures in New York and Impressionist and Modern and Post War and Contemporary Art in
London, we are also delighted to present the magnificent Collection of Yves Saint Laurent and
Pierre Bergin Paris at the Grand Palais, one of the most important single owner sales in auction
history.