HONG KONG, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Sotheby's Spring 2018 Hong Kong auction series has concluded, netting a total sales volume of 3.64 billion HK dollars (466.5 million U.S. dollars) in sales, the second highest in the company's history.

Tad Smith, Sotheby's CEO, said Thursday that outstanding prices across different categories indicate that clients throughout Asia are engaged at every level and the past week of auctions, exhibitions and art fairs has left no doubt of Asia's central position in the art market.

"With an overall total that is second only to our 40th anniversary celebrations back in 2013, this is an historic result for both Sotheby's and the art market in Asia," said Kevin Ching, CEO of Sotheby's Asia.

Sales of modern and contemporary art totaled 1.28 billion HK dollars.

Modern art auction was robust, with Zao Wouki's work 26.04.62 being the top lot of the evening sales. Southeast Asian art works were all sold in the evening sales.

Sales of Chinese works of art totaled 1.08 billion HK dollars.

Two sets of Ming dynasty imperial sutras were sold for 239 million HK dollars, an auction record for a buddhist manuscript.

The auction series run between March 30 and April 3. (1 U.S. dollars equals 7.85 Hong Kong dollars)