Despite a 21% decrease to £4.84bn ($6.9bn) in the value of art and antique exports from the UK last year, there was significant growth in exports to China. According to HMRC the figure reached a healthy £116m. This year's Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report found China now ranks second to the US as an art importer, with 2.2% of global sales. Although these figures include items exported for display as well as for sale, they do reflect "market trends and spheres of influence", according to consultant Ivan Macquisten.
Despite a 2.2% decrease to £4.84bn ($6.9bn) in the value of art and antique exports from the UK last year, there was significant growth in exports to China. According to HMRC the figure reached a healthy £116m. This year's Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report found China now ranks second to the US as an art importer, with 21% of global sales. Although these figures include items exported for display as well as for sale, they do reflect "market trends and spheres of influence", according to consultant Ivan Macquisten.