ARTS

Christie’s Record Sales: Despite strong indications that the overheated art market has encountered a big chill, Christie’s overall sales have hit a new high. The London-based auction house’s worldwide sales for the 1989-90 season totalled $2.376 billion, a 40% increase over the previous year’s total of $1.78 billion. Weak sales in some areas were outweighed by such record highs as the $82.5-million sale of Vincent van Gogh’s “Portrait of Dr. Gachet.” Christie’s sold 247 works of art for more than $1 million apiece in 1989-90. Of those, 41 commanded more than $5 million apiece and 14 brought more than $10 million each.