Investors in fine art, jewellery and watches have beaten the returns achieved by the FTSE 100 and prime central London property over the past year.
The art market is roaring with record-breaking sales pushing up prices 30 per cent in the year to June, according to the Luxury Investment Index by the estate agency Knight Frank. Luxury watches and jewellery are up 10 per cent and rare coins 8 per cent.
Over the same period the FTSE 100 index climbed 5 per cent. Prime central London property was down 1 per cent.
Luxury goods can diversify an investment portfolio and are popular among the growing numbers of super-rich collectors in emerging markets such as China.
Gustav Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer (Lady with Fan) sold for