Asian appetite for luxury boosts global art and jewel auctions

Asian millionaires and billionaires have this week discretely stolen the show at a range of auctions, dishing out record sums for works of art and precious gemstones put on the block. Auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's say the spectacular sales are part of a wider trend in which their business is increasingly turning towards Asia. Christie's Asia chief Francois Curiel told AFP that the auction house had quadrupled its Asia-based staff since 2010 to 220 to keep up with the demand.