In 2008, Jeffrey Lee joined the Contemporary Asian Art Department in Sotheby’s New York headquarters. At the same time, Lily Lee joined Sotheby’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong as Board Director of Sotheby’s China, Southeast Asia, and Head of 20th Century Chinese Art Department.
That fall, following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the ensuing financial crisis, Jeffrey Lee transferred to Hong Kong Sotheby’s 20th Century Chinese Art department. After the spring sale of 2010, Lily and Jeffrey made the decision to leave the auction business and re-establish their independent, family-owned and operated fine art gallery in Shanghai.