The year 2015 witnessed some inspiring moments on the auction market, with several items breaking records. It's hard to say whether the art market is hot or cold this year, but it seems obvious that Chinese buyers are increasingly standing out in the world art market. Let's review the highest priced arts sold this year, some of which shocked us.

Ming Dynasty horseshoe-back chairs from the Robert Ellsworth collection, one of the most valuable collections of Asian art in the West. [Photo/Artron.net]

1. Ming Dynasty huanghuali chairs, $9.7 million, March 17

A set of rare Ming Dynasty horseshoe-back chairs, expected in pre-sale to fetch between $800,000 to $1.2 million, ended up going for $9.7 million.

The chairs, from the Robert Ellsworth collection of Asian art at Christie's auction house, were purchased by a private Asian buyer in March, and the price set a world auction record for huanghuali (traditional wooden Chinese) furniture.