An analysis of the price dynamics between the Turkish and the international paintings markets

Abstract

We examine the dynamics of the relationships between the prices in Turkish paintings auctions and international art markets during 1990-2005 using cointegration and Granger-causality tests. We also estimate the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) relationship between the Turkish and the global paintings markets. In our investigations, we employ a hedonic price index based on 1030 paintings by 13 Turkish painters and the global paintings market index as calculated by Artprice©. We find that the prices in the Turkish paintings market move in line with the international art markets in the long term. As expected, the direction of causality runs unilaterally from the international paintings market to the Turkish paintings market. The CAPM beta values were found to be unstable over time and not statistically significant at conventional levels. Hence, international art investors might be able to benefit from the higher returns in the Turkish paintings market while diversifying their art portfolios, especially in the short term. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.