SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

The total was 3.3 billion pounds ($5.3 billion), up more than 50 percent from 2009, The Daily Telegraph reported. More than two-thirds of the highest-end artworks, those selling for more than $50 million, passed through Christie's.

Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" went for 70.3 million pounds ($112 million) in May. Alberto Giacometti's "Grande Tete Mince" sold for 35.2 million pounds ($56 million) on the same day.

Sotheby's, Christie's major competitor, also enjoyed a profitable year with sales of 2.7 billion pounds ($4.3 billion).

"This has been one of the greatest years ever for Christie's and the art market. The results of 2010 are the fruition of a decade of endeavour led by a strong and dedicated team", Steven Murphy, Christie's chief executive officer, said.

Christie's said buyers from Europe and the United States accounted for a majority of sales but the Asian market showed the most growth. Impressionist and modern art accounted for more than 20 percent of sales, followed by post-war and contemporary works.

 BREAKING STORIES

EU envoy: Political uproar threatens Haiti

Space Station supply mission readied

Loud traffic noise linked to stroke risk

Germany votes to extend Afghan presence

Smog may lead to Milan traffic shutdown

Italian autoworkers strike against Fiat

Christie's reports record sales in 2010

British unions discuss strategy

Team drills toward hidden Antarctic lake

French court upholds same-sex marriage ban

Medvedev: START could be in effect soon

Obama's Irish heritage celebrated

Russian icebreaker rescue near success

Cameron outlines vision for recovery

Environmental convictions to be reviewed

Britain unveils plan to lease public woods

Greenwich observatory sets admission fee

EU warns Britain on London air pollution

Critics: Shark fishing nations fail pledge

Date of humans out of Africa pushed back