Barnebys, the world’s largest search engine for fine art and antiques auctions, launches in China this week.
The Arrival of Barnebys in China means that western world buyers will now be able to access Chinese auction house archives when searching for an object, it also means that millions of Chinese buyers will be able to look through the western catalogues for valuable items. In short terms, Barnebys is a Google but for treasured items. It will give you a list of who is selling the item, where it is and how much for. Globally the company and sellers will have access to over 1000 auction houses and around 500 art dealers.
As marketplace trading is becoming increasingly popular in the world, Barnebys is taking the first step into introducing the Asian market to the rest of the world. Just behind the U.S, the Chinese market accounts to 30.19% of the market total in 2015. In between 2000 and 2014 more museums were opened than the previous two centuries! The Asian market had majority share of the 700 new museums that opened.
The new launch of Barnebys in Hong Kong will include a website in Chinese, dedicated newsletter and social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Weibo.
Founder of Barnebys, Pontus Silverstolpe says, “’The auction market is global and Barnebys intends to be a pioneer of new markets. So we believe that it is time to focus on China, as it is one of the world’s largest markets for art and antiques. Our experience of entry into other markets in Europe and the USA tells us that we can expect to have 20 to 25 million Chinese buyers and sellers within the first five years. It is time for Barnebys to feed the Chinese dragon with the worlds collated art, design, antiques and collectibles.”
”China has enormous purchasing power. In recent years, Chinese buyers have been behind many of the American and European auction houses’ most successful sales. This can be said, in particular, about the most expensive objects, but also objects from the lower price segment. In the beginning, the Chinese were mainly buying back their heritage, but in recent years we have seen more and more buying of ever wider categories, for example: Rolex watches, handbags, chandeliers, silver and 18th century painting.’’
Young Chinese artists are starting to emerge into the art capitals of the world such as London, New York and even Paris. Chinese art is being bought into Western societies in the same way that you’ll find Chinese and European goods are in high demand in the Eastern world. Recently Louis Vuitton exhibited art work from many contemporary Chinese artists, in fact this season the term “Chinioserie”, meaning the Chinese influence on arts and textiles on Western culture, has been popping up all over the place, including Spring/ Summer catwalk show reports.
Christopher Barnekow, CEO and Co- founder says, “Our future is written in Chinese. So, as a natural step in Barnebys mission to open up the global art, antiques and design market, we are now expanding our operations to the East, beginning with Hong Kong. South Asia’s middle classes are at a turning point, ready to explore the West’s art and antiques market. Barnebys offers a fantastic opportunity as a mechanism of discovery. From top notch high end items from Europe, to Chinese antiquities and fine Danish designed furniture at a bargain price, this marketplace is accessible and transparent thanks to Barnebys.’’
The reason for the launch in Hong Kong is to increase diversity amongst the European market, in the past five years Chinese collectors have grown in their buying and their presence outside of Asia. The launch will feed high demands of Chinese antiques rising in Europe and vice versa.
*Figures according to Artprice market report for 2015