Collecting Wealth

Collectors in Asia have become an increasingly important source of demand in the collectibles market over the past two years, according to Dr Nannette Hechler-Fayd’herbe, chief investment officer for EMEA and head of global economics and research at Credit Suisse. As in-person auctions were cancelled and marketplaces shifted online, Asia-based buyers embraced digital tools and started investing in almost all types of collectibles, becoming more influential than ever. “With digitalisation and the pandemic, demand from Asia has become a real driving force,” says Hechler-Fayd’herbe. “Collectors in Asia have an affinity with this important communication channel, which has developed into an important sales channel.” Collectibles are broadly seen as a good source of diversification away from traditional financial assets such as bonds and equities, but the effect varies. Wine is the…