In global auction sales, China trailed New York and London, but eclipsed France last year, according to Artprice. Fine art sales in China reached $830 million, 17.33% of the market worldwide, up from 7.83% a year earlier.

Poly International, China Guardian and Beijing Council transacted nearly half of the sales while Christie's and Sotheby's branches in Hong Kong brought in about $200 million.

Chinese buyers have been aggresively repatriating art and antiques. Momentum is also gaining in new categories for Chinese collectors such as wine, jewelry, and French Impressionist painting.