Bonhams

Bonhams is an auction house with headquarters in the UK. It operates two London salerooms as well as others in Edinburgh, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. 

In 2000, Bonhams was merged with Brooks, a specialist Classic Car auctioneer, and Phillips Son & Neale not long after. US auctioneers Butterfields joined the group in 2002.

In September 2018, chairman Robert Brooks stepped down after selling the company to private equity group Epiris. In 2022, the firm went on a buying spree purchasing US auction house Skinner, Swedish saleroom Bukowskis, Danish saleroom Bruun Rasmussen and then French outfit Cornette de Saint Cyr.


Meissen5

Merkle's Meissen figures show strength in Paris

18 April 2024

The first part of one of the finest assemblages of 18th century Meissen porcelain figures still in private hands generated a premium-inclusive €948,450 at Bonhams in Paris on April 17.

Danzig Harbour

Painting taken from Jewish family’s Berlin home restituted with help of The Art Loss Register

16 April 2024

A painting belonging to a Jewish family who were forced to flea Germany under the Nazi’s has been returned to the family’s remaining heir with the help of The Art Loss Register.

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Previews: issue 2639

15 April 2024

Our selection of lots from 13 upcoming auctions

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Medieval astrolabe finds its way to a London saleroom

15 April 2024

The astrolabe was used for not only telling the time, but mapping one’s location, tracking the stars, and even as an astrological tool for decision-making.

Bonhams Nelson Horatia Teapot

Bonhams expects as best of Nelson-themed ceramics come to auction

12 April 2024

A single-owner collection of Nelson-themed ceramics and glass will be offered at Bonhams later this month.

Henri Doucet

Dedicated Bloomsbury set auction comes to Bonhams

04 April 2024

An auction dedicated solely to the Bloomsbury set of artists and thinkers will be held at Bonhams for the first time this spring.

Merkle Meissen Masonic

Outstanding Meissen figure collection comes to auction in Paris

01 April 2024

The first part of one of the finest collections of 18th century Meissen figures still in private hands will be offered at Bonhams in Paris on April 17.

Géricault study

Three rediscovered early 19th century French drawings soar above estimates at Paris auction

26 March 2024

Three unpublished drawings by the French artist Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault (1791-1824) have sold at auction in Paris.

Napkin

Napkin contract that signed a 13-year-old Lionel Messi to Barcelona FC comes to auction

20 March 2024

What is probably the world’s most famous napkin – the document that secured the services of a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona FC – comes to auction at Bonhams.

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Simple style but 1950s watches can be high tech

11 March 2024

Beneath the simple ‘1950s dress watch’ styling, the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic hides a lot of post-war tech.

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Name recognition builds brand awareness when it comes to watches

11 March 2024

Brand names are everything in watch collecting.

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Watches: How military precision massively influenced design

11 March 2024

The wristwatch, which began to replace the pocket watch in the First World War, really came into its own with the production of bespoke ‘tool’ watches for submariners and airmen later in the century

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Auctions and dealer shows aplenty at Asia Week New York

04 March 2024

Fifteeth year of the New York event involves 28 dealers and 12 salerooms taking part

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Brooches concealing watches make striking auction prices

04 March 2024

Two fine Art Deco jewelled pendant brooches featuring miniature fob watches achieved strong results at Bonhams’ (28% buyer’s premium) London Jewels sale.

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Dazzling results for de Beaumont library at Bonhams

26 February 2024

Impressive library of renowned collector and expert includes sought-after designs by women binders

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Monumental trophy races to £19,000

26 February 2024

Silverware was a major component of Bonhams’ (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) Knightsbridge auction titled The Connoisseur’s Library on February 13-14.

State coach replica

A Jaguar car and life-size Coronation carriage replica lead auction of Netflix’s The Crown props

08 February 2024

Bonhams' sale of 473 props from Netflix’s The Crown raises a hammer total of more than £1m in a white glove sale.

Mahogany bureau cabinet

Props from Netflix’s The Crown are among five lots to watch

05 February 2024

With estimates from £3000, here are five previews of upcoming items.

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A taste of rare colour combinations at Bonhams

05 February 2024

The Durrington Collection of Glass, a select 60-lot auction which Bonhams (28/27/21/14.4% buyer’s premium) offered for sale last year, featured some of the best examples of 18th century British glassmaking across a number of collectable categories.

New recruits

New faces at auction houses in the UK and overseas

25 January 2024

A new director at a West Sussex firm and expansion in Sheffield are among the latest Movers & Shakers across the world of art and antiques.

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