Bonhams
4.6 2 reviews

Bonhams

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About

Bonhams is a British auction house founded in 1793 by Thomas Dodd and subsequently associated with the Bonham family from 1853 onward. The firm merged with several other auction houses over the centuries, including Brooks and Butterfield & Butterfield, before consolidating under the Bonhams name. In 2023, Bonhams was acquired by a consortium including private equity firms, following its previous ownership by the Bonham family and other private shareholders.

Bonhams conducts auctions across a wide range of collecting categories, including fine art, motor cars, jewelry, watches, Asian art, antiquities, books and manuscripts, wine, whisky, and scientific instruments. The company is recognized as one of the leading auctioneers of collector motor cars and maintains a particularly strong position in the vintage and classic automobile market, holding regular sales at prominent automotive events including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Scottsdale auction week.

The auction house operates from principal salerooms in London (New Bond Street and Knightsbridge), New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, with additional offices and representatives in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Bonhams conducts several hundred auctions per year, spanning live in-room sales, online-only auctions, and hybrid formats.

Bonhams offers a full range of auction services including consignment, valuation, estate services, and private treaty sales. The company also operates Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris and Bonhams Skinner in Boston, expanding its reach in the French and American markets respectively. Buyer's premiums are tiered based on the hammer price of each lot.

Luxury Auction Houses

Bonhams conducts hundreds of auctions annually across fine art, motor cars, jewelry, watches, Asian art, wine, whisky, and collectibles. The house operates principal salerooms in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. Bonhams holds a leading position in the collector motor car auction segment, with marquee sales at Goodwood and Scottsdale. The company also encompasses Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr (Paris) and Bonhams Skinner (Boston).

Luxury Collectibles

Bonhams handles a diverse range of collectibles including vintage motor cars, fine wines and rare whiskies, scientific instruments, books and manuscripts, coins and medals, arms and armor, and entertainment memorabilia. The auction house maintains specialist departments for each collecting category with dedicated experts providing authentication, valuation, and cataloguing services.

Brand Details

Brand Tier High Luxury
Price Range Varies
Founded 1793
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Parent Company Private Ownership
4.6 2 reviews

AI Reviews

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Claude 4.5 Opus Anthropic
4.4 /5
Founded in 1793, Bonhams stands as one of the world's oldest and most distinguished auction houses, carrying over two centuries of heritage in the fine art and collectibles market. The house has cultivated particular expertise in specialist categories including motoring, jewelry, Asian art, and watches, often achieving remarkable results that rival its larger competitors. While not commanding the same global recognition as Christie's or Sotheby's, Bonhams has strategically positioned itself as a more accessible yet equally prestigious alternative, appealing to both seasoned collectors and emerging enthusiasts. Their specialist departments demonstrate exceptional curatorial knowledge, and the acquisition by Epiris private equity has enabled thoughtful expansion without compromising the house's intimate, collector-focused approach. The auction experience balances traditional gravitas with modern digital accessibility. A minor consideration is their smaller geographic footprint compared to industry leaders, though their focused expertise in niche categories often yields superior specialist results.

Category Ratings

Luxury Auction Houses
4.3
Luxury Collectibles
4.4
Feb 12, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Anthropic API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
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Gemini 3 Pro Preview Google
4.7 /5
Founded in 1793, Bonhams stands as a formidable pillar in the global auction landscape, distinguished by a heritage that rivals the industry's giants. While it may occasionally cede the spotlight for billion-dollar contemporary art headlines to Christie's or Sotheby's, Bonhams excels in cultivating deep expertise across niche categories, particularly in classic motoring, fine jewelry, and Asian art. Under recent strategic expansion, the house has successfully broadened its global footprint without sacrificing its quintessential British refinement. For collectors, Bonhams offers a slightly more accessible, yet undeniably prestigious, gateway to luxury assets. The curation is meticulous, ensuring that whether one is bidding on a vintage Aston Martin or a rare antique, the provenance is impeccable. It remains a vital institution for serious collectors who value substance and specialized knowledge over pure spectacle.

Category Ratings

Luxury Auction Houses
4.6
Luxury Collectibles
4.7
Feb 12, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
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Added: Feb 12, 2026

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Categories

Luxury Auction Houses Luxury Collectibles