Now, thanks to a robust economy and an influx of new companies in the region, the relocation market is thriving, despite the record-breaking high prices of houses.

Future Seen as Bright Some skeptics wondered just how much longer the record-breaking prices in the art market would continue to push Sotheby's sales.

It was auctioned by Christie's in New York on Tuesday 16/04/2013 for what was a record-breaking price and was expected to sell for more than 45 million dollars.

It has also paid often record-breaking prices at auction for artists like Rothko, Eva Hesse and Magritte.

Most collectors and dealers interviewed agreed, citing the chair's rarity, its pedigree and the quality of its carving as more than sufficient reason for the chair's record-breaking price.

And with each sale come more record-breaking prices.

Classic paintings, sculptures and drawings by masters like Rothko, Warhol and Jasper Johns were snapped up for hefty, often record-breaking prices.

It had been sold at Sotheby's New York in 1991 for $264,000, a record-breaking price for an American quilt sold at auction.

Mr. Lee bought the painting at a Philadelphia auction in 1980 for $210,000, a record-breaking price for both the artist and a folk art painting.

But while many works may have fallen short of the auction house's expectations, there were still several high, record-breaking prices.