The first quarter of 2026 marked a significant rebound in the global auction market, pointing to renewed confidence after four years of decline. Total sales at Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips rose 64.3% year-on-year to $1.70 billion, making it the strongest first-quarter result since 2016. While the number of lots sold remained broadly stable, the sharp rise in value suggests stronger demand for higher-quality works and greater depth at the top end of the market.