"We're a little disappointed with what happened with the sculpture, " Bonhams Maritime Art Department sales specialist Gregg K. Dietrich said.

WSJ: Original Iwo Jima monument unsold at NYC auction

Refreshingly, the book expands its focus beyond the U.S. and U.K., giving similar weight to such lesser-known art markets as Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Israel.

WSJ: Book Is a Collector's Item

Our hotel, Klaus K (klauskhotel.com), is modern and chic, peppered with intriguing art and full of people who look like famous architects.

BBC: Postcard from Helsinki, Finland

Yet resilience in U.S. and U.K. markets, along with the potential inherent in a Chinese turnaround, suggest the art market presents an opportunity.

FORBES: China Brings Down Global Art Market In Q1 But U.S. And Europe Feed The Bulls