Over the last 12 months, the global art market has softened as the world continues to feel the effects of global conflict, increased regulation on the import of art into Europe, and, recently, the threat of Trump’s imposed tariffs on imported goods, which could affect art and cultural property. There are encouraging signs that the market is starting to rebound as conditions stabilise. To celebrate the season and spread some much-needed holiday cheer, we have curated a list of beautiful, unique and luxurious items that have sold this year. We hope this inspires your Christmas wish list for 2025!
Over the last 12 months the global art market has softened as the world continues to feel the effects of global conflict, increased regulation around imports of art into Europe and recently the threat of Trump’s tariffs imposed on imported goods, which could affect art and cultural property. Total auction house lots decreased by 2.4% and sales by 8.8% but there are signs that the market is beginning to rebound as things settle down. So, to engender some seasonal spirit and remind us that is has not all been doom and gloom (for some) for the last 12 months, we have compiled a list of beautiful, unusual and very expensive items that have sold this year. We hope this inspires your 2025 Christmas wish list…;
The 12 sales of Christmas future
- Old bangers (and not so old) - If you want to manifest Lady Crawley, Bonhams sold a 1925 Sunbeam Saloon Classic as part of its Downton Abbey props and costumes auction for £172,500. Bonhams Cars : 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp Saloon Chassis no. 1033E Engine no. 1032E. If you fancy something a bit more contemporary, then you could have picked up a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R “Streamliner” in February for 51.15 million euros at Sotheby’s in Stuttgart, making it the second most expensive car ever sold at auction! 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen | W 196 R: The Monza Streamliner | RM Sotheby's
- Something for over the mantelpiece? – In May 2025, Christies New York sold Piet Mondrian’s composition with large red plane, bluish grey, yellow, black and blue (1922) for 47.56 million dollars, one of the most expensive items sold this year. $47.5 million Mondrian painting leads Christie’s New York sale. | Artsy
- A Christmas jewel? – In May 2025 Sotheby’s sold “The Mediterranean Blue”, a 10.3-carat fancy vivid blue diamond for 21.5 million dollars within two and a half minutes of bidding. It was crafted from a 31.94 carat rough diamond; not bad for an offcut, referred to as the “defining stone of the season”. It would brighten up anyone’s season if found it at the bottom of their stocking. The 10.3-Carat ‘Mediterranean Blue’ Diamond Fetches $21.5 Million
- For the children. How about an original Superman comic? Rummage through your attic and you might find something to match this Christmas cracker…Up, up and away: Superman comic found in attic sells for $9.12m to become most expensive ever sold | Comics and graphic novels | The Guardian
- Bags – Looking for a bag in which to keep your tiara? Then you could have snapped up the original Jane Birkin bag sold by Sotheby’s in July 2025 for seven and a half million pounds (£7.4 million); the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction. The original Birkin prototype was sketched out on an aeroplane sick bag in 1985 and owned by the actress for a decade before it was donated to charity. World Record Hermès Birkin Sale — Jane Birkin’s Original Birkin (2025) | Handbags & Fashion | Sotheby’s
- Watch this space - In December, Francis Ford Coppola’s unique collection of watches comes up for auction at Phillips in New York. All still to play for just before Christmas, with estimates at just over £1 million pounds each. The 5 Best Watches in Phillips's Two-Day December Auction
- Baubles – On 4 June 2025, Bonhams sold the Astor turquoise and diamond tiara, which had come on the market for the first time since it was sold to Lord Astor by Cartier in 1930. A snip at £889,400 inc premium.. Bonhams : Nancy Astor's Rare Cartier Turquoise and Diamond Tiara Sells for Over Three Times its Pre-sale Estimate at Bonhams London Jewels Sale for US$1.2M
- A Christmas crossword or quiz and for the budding genius in the family? – Lyon and Turnbull recently sold the archived collection of leading C18 mathematician James Stirling. The Library of James Stirling, Mathematician comprised a collection of manuscript notes, calculus and calculations which gave the name to “Stirling numbers” and “Stirling’s formula”. Impressive homework for almost £820,000. James Stirling: Mathematician of the Newtonian Age
- A wee dram – You could have picked up a bottle of The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 year old 1965 for a mere £650,000 at a charity auction in October, the most expensive whisky sold in 2025. A Charity purchase means you can spend exorbitant sums of money on a bottle of whisky without guilt. What’s not to like? Distillers One of One: The Glenlivet and Port Ellen bottles smash records
- Gift for a gardener? In May 2025, a five needle pine Bonsai tree sold at auction for £535,000. Truly a present for someone with green fingers. Most Expensive Bonsai Trees in the World | Bonsai2U Blog
- A collectible – In November the original lightning bolt portrait of Davie Bowie used for his Aladdin Sane album cover sold at auction for nearly half a million dollars, a record for album artwork. Not bad for a print, but you are buying a piece of rock and roll history at the same time. This Iconic David Bowie Album Cover Just Made Auction History
- For the home? A rare Lalique “Tete de Poissons Multiples” vase depicting 36 fish heads by Rene Lalique sold at Lyon and Turnbull in October for £81,450 inc of premium. Past auction: RENÉ LALIQUE (1860-1945) TÊTES DE POISSONS MULTIPLES VASE, CP554 | 30 October 2025
