Phillips is a global auction house founded in 1796 by Harry Phillips, a former senior clerk at James Christie's auction rooms, in London, England. The company operated under various names throughout its history, including Phillips Son & Neale, before being acquired by the LVMH Group and merged with the de Pury & Luxembourg dealership in the early 2000s. Following LVMH's exit, the company was reconstituted as Phillips de Pury & Company and later simplified to Phillips. The firm is currently owned by the Mercury Group, a Russian-backed private investment firm.

Phillips distinguishes itself from larger auction houses by focusing on contemporary art, design, photographs, editions, watches, and jewelry. The company has cultivated a reputation for specialization rather than breadth, concentrating on twentieth-century and contemporary categories rather than Old Masters or antiquities. Its watch auctions, in particular, have gained significant stature within the collector market, regularly achieving record prices for rare vintage and modern timepieces.

The auction house maintains principal salerooms in New York and London, with additional offices and exhibition spaces in Geneva, Hong Kong, and other major cities. Phillips conducts live auctions, online-only sales, and private sales throughout the year. The company publishes detailed catalogues for its auctions and provides condition reports, provenance research, and pre-sale estimates for prospective bidders.

Phillips positions itself as a specialist auctioneer catering to collectors of modern and contemporary works across multiple collecting categories. Buyer's premiums and seller's commissions apply to all transactions, with specific rates varying by sale total and location.

Luxury Auction Houses

Phillips conducts auctions specializing in contemporary art, design, photographs, watches, and jewelry. The house operates principal salerooms in New York, London, and Geneva, offering live, online, and private sales. Phillips has established particular authority in the watch auction segment, where its sales regularly set records for vintage and modern timepieces. The company also handles editions, prints, and twentieth-century design furniture and objects.