Christie’s sold $1.8 billion (1.2 billion pounds) in artworks during the first six months of 2009, down 35 percent (in pounds) against year ago figures. The house had reported selling $3.5 billion (1.8 billion pounds)  in the first six months of 2008.

Christie’s private sales, combined with subsidiary gallery Haunch of Venison, tallied $199.7 million, down 13 percent over 2008.

The successful Yves Saint Laurent auction held in February in Paris totaled $484 million.

As a result of  lackluster spring auctions–and the difficulty in attracting prime material in a down market– far fewer high priced lots sold. Christie’s reports 221 artworks selling in excess of $1 million, compared with 457 selling above $1 million in the first six months of 2008.

Christie’s puts a positive spin on the figures, claiming 61 percent of the global art auction market share. The January to June numbers also reflect a five percent higher sell-thru rate than all of 2008, suggesting the auction house specialists are gauging buyer and seller appetite more accurately.