With ongoing global market volatility, individuals and investors increasingly turn to tangible assets to protect and diversify their capital. A review of recent auction data from leading houses highlights a clear trend: demand for artwork, antiquities, classic cars and vintage watches is rising. Below are several notable lots featured in upcoming sales that illustrate the breadth of interest across categories.
Phillips — Photographs
New York, Oct. 5–6
Herb Ritts, Versace Dress, Back View, El Mirage, 1990 — Estimate $100,000–150,000
Herb Ritts’ fashion photography remains highly sought after for its clean lines, dramatic compositions and timeless aesthetic. This striking image from his 1990 Versace shoot, featuring Christy Turlington against a spare desert landscape, exemplifies Ritts’ ability to blend abstraction with human form. Its simplicity and powerful silhouette continue to appeal to collectors and institutions, making it a highlight of the photographic offerings at Phillips.
Sotheby’s — Important Chinese Art Auction
New York, Sept. 13–14
Rare Turquoise-Ground Famille-Rose “The Hui Mountain Retreat” Teapot and Cover, Qianlong Seal Mark and Period (r. 1726–1795) — Estimate $300,000–500,000
The market for Chinese antiquities has shown remarkable strength, with high-quality Qianlong-period works frequently achieving strong prices. This rare famille-rose teapot features a turquoise ground and refined decoration that reflect the technical skill and aesthetic sensibility of imperial workshops. Tea wares from the period were produced to please sophisticated tastes, balancing utility with decorative artistry. Given recent record results for Qianlong pieces, this teapot is likely to attract significant attention from collectors and specialists.
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction
Las Vegas, Oct. 13–15
1950 Mercury “Wasabi” Custom Coupe
The collector car segment continues to perform well, with demand spanning concours-level exotics to well-executed customs and restomods. This 1950 Mercury, nicknamed “Wasabi,” was customized by the late Dick Dean, who worked closely with legendary customizer George Barris. Dean’s modifications and vision are preserved following a comprehensive 2005 restoration that honored the original custom work. The car represents the enduring appeal of mid-century custom culture and the market’s appetite for historically significant, well-restored examples.
Across art, antiques and motorcars, upcoming auctions demonstrate how collectors are allocating capital into tangible, culturally resonant assets. Each lot listed above highlights craftsmanship, provenance and market momentum—key factors that continue to drive interest and valuation in the hard-goods investment space.