Christie’s 40 Years in Asia: connected through art, bound by trust

In 1986, the sound of a gavel in the ballroom of Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental marked Christie’s arrival in Asia. At the time, the team was small and the region’s art market still in its formative years. Four decades later, Asia has emerged as one of the most influential forces in the global art world, while Christie’s Asia has grown from a modest office into a 50,000-square-foot destination for art and luxury at The Henderson. As the market has matured and generations of collectors have evolved, extraordinary works of art have found new custodians, collector communities have become increasingly international and collecting horizons have expanded far beyond geographical and cultural boundaries. Along the way, connections first sparked by a shared love of art have blossomed into enduring friendships. These stories are rooted in expertise, nurtured by mutual trust, and united by a passion that continues to transcend time, distance and borders.

Trust in action: building relationships that endure

Kevin Ching, Chairman of Christie’s Asia, is not a conventional corporate leader. A passionate collector of jade, an admirer of poetry and calligraphy, and an enthusiastic treasure hunter, he brings a scholar’s curiosity and sensibility to everything he does. Conversations with collectors rarely stop at art and collecting; they often extend to life, family, and shared experiences. It is this genuine interest in people and culture that defines his approach.

‘You have to treat them as a friend.’ For Kevin, clients are not looking for a distant executive. They value authenticity, understanding and personal connection. On one occasion, he presented an important collector with a piece of his own calligraphy. The gift was neither extravagant nor ceremonial, yet the gesture resolved a misunderstanding and forged a deeper bond. For him, trust is often built through thoughtful acts that reveal sincerity and respect.

Kevin’s commitment to his clients extends well beyond the auction room. He takes a genuine interest in their families, often becoming a trusted sounding board on matters well outside the world of collecting. For many mainland Chinese collectors navigating overseas education opportunities for their children, Kevin has been generous in sharing his own experiences, offering introductions, insights and practical guidance drawn from his own knowledge.

Such conversations may have little to do with business, yet they often form the foundations for lasting trust. ‘At the end of the day, auctions are a people business,’ Kevin says. Collecting may be what brings people together, but it is sincerity, understanding and genuine human connection that transform professional relationships into lasting friendships.

Kindred spirits: growing through shared discovery

Many years ago, Chi Fan Tsang, International Director of the Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Department at Christie’s, visited the National Museum of Iran with the renowned collector Robert Chang. Thanks to Chang’s reputation and longstanding relationships, they were granted rare access to the museum’s storage vaults. As one exceptional Ming-dynasty porcelain after another revealed themselves, a palpable sense of excitement filled the room. For those present, it felt like stepping into a treasure trove, filled with discoveries seldom seen by the public.

What made the journey so memorable was not merely the privilege of encountering extraordinary works of art. Rather, it was a reflection of something built over decades: a shared journey of learning and discovery between specialist and collector. For Chi Fan, collecting begins with curiosity. The role of a specialist is not simply to advise, but to accompany collectors as their interests evolve and their knowledge deepens over time. Together, they have visited museums, explored historic sites, and exchanged countless conversations on art, history and culture. Along the way, knowledge was shared, perspectives expanded and enduring friendships formed, illustrating how the most meaningful collecting journeys are rarely undertaken alone.

Recalling Robert Chang, Chi Fan smiles and describes him less as a client than as an elder brother. When Chang celebrated his 80th birthday, friends from Christie’s travelled to Dubai to mark the occasion. At the height of the festivities, he delighted guests with an impromptu performance of Suzhou pingtan, filling the room with laughter. Beneath the Dubai night sky, conversations flowed beyond art to friendship, cherished memories and the many years they had shared together.

Moments as these have reinforced Chi Fan’s belief that the true value of collecting lies far beyond the objects themselves. Equally precious are the connections formed along the way. Over time, what begins as a shared passion for art can evolve into something far more enduring than a professional association, becoming a source of companionship and mutual support through every stage of life.

Following Robert Chang’s passing, his collection and estate were bequeathed to the Robert Chang Art Education Charitable Foundation. Today, Chi Fan serves as a director of the foundation, helping to carry forward Chang’s commitment to promoting Chinese art and culture for future generations. It is a responsibility grounded on trust, and a lasting tritube to a remarkable friendship.

Stories such as these challenge conventional perceptions of the auction world. Throughout decades of growth across Asia, Christie’s has become far more than a trading platform for artworks. It has evolved into a forum for ideas, knowledge and cultural exchange. As Chi Fan observes, collectors seek not only remarkable objects, but also a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship, histories and cultural contexts that shaped them. Specialists, in turn, continue to learn from the insights and perspectives their clients bring. The result is a journey of discovery that enriches both sides.

It is this spirit of exchange that has long defined Christie’s in Asia. Beyond the auctions, the records and the remarkable objects themselves lies something equally valuable: a community of collectors, scholars and specialists who continue to learn from one another. In this sense, every collecting journey becomes a shared one, shaped as much by human connection as by the art itself.

Integrity first: safeguarding what clients entrust to us

After more than three decades in the world of jewellery, Vickie Sek, Chairman of Jewellery Department at Christie’s Asia Pacific, believes there is no secret to earning trust. ‘Put yourself in the client’s shoes and truly understand their needs, concerns and aspirations.’ It is a principle that has guided her throughout her career. In Vickie’s view, a specialist’s responsibility is to safeguard a client’s interests with expertise, honesty and sound judgement. If a piece is priced beyond what she believes is justified, she would rather advise patience than encourage a purchase. Equally, when she encounters a truly exceptional jewel, her recommendation comes from genuine conviction. Whether or not there is immediate business to be done, she is always willing to share her expertise and perspective to help clients make informed decisions. Over the years, this unwavering commitment to putting clients first has earned her the trust of collectors who regard her as a long-term adviser.

Trust often reveals itself in the quietest ways. One collector, lacking suitable facilities to house a significant jewellery collection at home, has entrusted their most valuable pieces to Christie’s care for many years. Whenever a jewel is needed for a special occasion, or returned for safekeeping afterwards, the collector contacts Vickie directly. ‘When a client is willing to place their most treasured possessions in your care, that trust speaks louder than words.’ Vickie reflects. For her, the jewellery business is ultimately built on something far more valuable than gemstones: confidence earned over time, and relationships that endure across decades.

Throughout her career, Vickie has maintained a close view of the global jewellery market, travelling regularly between New York, Geneva and cities across Asia. One observation, in particular, has shaped her understanding of the region. In Europe and North America, a significant proportion of buyers are professional dealers. In Asia, however, the market is driven predominantly by private collectors, many of whom are still building and refining their collections. As a result, their expectations for guidance, expertise and personal service are often considerably higher. For this reason, Vickie believes every client interaction matters. She encourages specialists to remain personally engaged throughout the entire client journey, including meeting collectors in person when they collect their purchases after a sale. ‘It is the most effective way to truly understand your clients.’ Vickie emphasizes.

This client-first philosophy also informs the way she leads her team. Vickie is known for generously sharing her knowledge and experience, mentoring younger colleagues across every aspect of the business, from sourcing and visiting clients to welcoming collectors and cultivating relationships. She believes empowering the next generation of specialists is essential to long-term success, and that the strongest teams are built on confidence, knowledge and mutual support. By leading through example and sharing her expertise with openness, Vickie has helped foster a culture built on professionalism, collaboration and trust, enabling Christie’s jewellery team to serve clients with the same care and commitment that have defined her own career of more than three decades.

Across generations: carrying forward stories and legacies

Having spent more than fifteen years in Christie’s, Carmen Shek Cerne, Head of Chinese Paintings Department, believes there is no single formula for building trust with collectors. Every collector brings a unique background, personality, perspective and their own way of engaging with art. What matters most, she believes, is the ability to listen: to understand why someone collects, why they choose to part with a work, and what that object has come to represent within the story of their life.

This understanding becomes especially meaningful when collections pass from one generation to the next. Many of Asia’s most important collections of Chinese paintings were assembled decades ago by visionary collectors. Yet their children may not fully understand why their parents were drawn to a particular artist, subject matter or moment in history. ‘We become storytellers, helping the next generation understand the intentions and significance behind a family’s collection.’ It is not uncommon, Carmen notes, for collectors to introduce their children to Christie’s specialists, hoping that expert insight can help illuminate the personal histories and cultural values embedded within the works they inherit. In these moments, paintings become more than objects of appreciation. They become vessels of memory, carrying stories, values and aspirations across generations, ensuring that a family’s legacy continues to resonate long into the future.

For Carmen, the enduring appeal of Chinese paintings lies precisely in their ability to reveal unexpected connections across time. A collector may acquire a work on instinct, captivated at first sight, or perhaps through a recommendation from a trusted friend. Years later, a specialist may uncover the artist’s travels, exhibition history and the broader cultural currents of the time, revealing how and why the work became connected to a particular place, person or historical moment. While books chart the major movements of art history, it is often the journeys of individual works, the passions of their collectors and the serendipitous encounters along the way that bring the past most vividly to life.

Forty years: a milestone, and a new beginning

Over the past four decades, Christie’s has witnessed the extraordinary transformation of the Asian art market while accompanying generations of collectors on their collecting journeys. Through trust earned over time, insights shaped by expertise, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding what clients entrust to us, we have helped build collections, shape legacies, and foster enduring relationships. Together, these countless moments and connections form the foundation of Christie’s forty-year story in Asia.

As we look ahead, Christie’s remains deeply rooted in Asia while continuing to connect the region with the world, creating new opportunities for discovery, dialogue and cultural exchange. Every connection forged through collecting has the power to become something greater: a shared journey built on trust, enriched by knowledge and sustained across generations, these bonds continue to define who we are and what we do. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to writing the next chapter of Christie’s story in Asia together.