HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s announced the promotion of Nicolas Chow to Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, who brings to the new role a unique combination of world-class expertise, exceptional client relationships and deep understanding of the market that will help drive Sotheby’s strategy in Asia.

Kevin Ching, CEO of Sotheby’s Asia, comments: “Nicolas, already our Worldwide Head of Chinese Works of Art has been exemplary in his leadership and expertise. Always a team player and never slow to offer his assistance to any colleague seeking his advice, Nicolas is also one of the most forward-looking and creative members of Sotheby’s. His promotion to Chairman, Asia is well deserved.”

Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, International Head and Chairman, Chinese Works of Art, expresses, “It has been my great privilege and joy to develop the Chinese art market at Sotheby’s for the last twenty years and I am excited to continue to work closely in my new role with Patti Wong and Kevin Ching and our extraordinary team here in Asia.”

Mr. Nicolas Chow first joined Sotheby’s in 1999 and has played a pivotal role in leading the Chinese art market in Asia since 2003. In 2006, he was appointed International Head and Chairman of the Chinese Works of Art Department and has since orchestrated many successful auctions across Sotheby’s four major salerooms, namely Hong Kong, London, New York and Paris. Under the leadership of Mr. Chow, Sotheby’s has consistently remained at the helm of the Chinese Works of Art market. In 2017, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Chinese Works of Art sales achieved a grand total of HK$1.93 billion, leading all auction houses in Asia for the 8th consecutive year.

Over the years, Mr. Chow has been the mastermind behind many record-breaking sales. Notable examples include a rare Ru Guanyao brush washer from Northern Song Dynasty, which fetched HK$290 million and set the world record for Chinese Ceramics (October 2017); as well as the Meiyintang “Chicken Cup” which sold for HK$280 million to Shanghai collector Liu Yiqian, establishing a world record for Chinese Porcelain (April 2014).

Over the years, Mr. Chow has introduced numerous prominent collections to the market, including Chinese Art through the Eye of Sakamoto Gorō (2013-2016), The Meiyintang Collection Parts I to V (2011 to 2013), The Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection (2009 –2017), and Song – Important Chinese Ceramics from the Le Cong Tang Collection (2017), among others. He is also the key figure behind many successful theme sales focusing on Imperial works of art, as well as the Curiosity sales developed since 2014 which are broadening the horizon of collectors here in Asia with a kaleidoscopic array of materials encompassing Western antiquities, tribal art, natural history and Old Master drawings.