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.


Bonhams increase buyer’s premium thresholds

09 September 2016

Bonhams have followed Christie’s in increasing their buyer’s fees by adjusting their premium thresholds.

Still life 'Roses' by Henri Fantin-Latour

Still life painting once owned by Chelsea Flower Show founding father up for auction

08 September 2016

A painting once owned by Sir Harry Veitch, founder of the Chelsea Flower Show, will be offered for sale at Bonhams’ in London later this month.

First printing of Harry Potter

False friends: some early copies of Harry Potter may not be all that they appear

25 August 2016

Not all copies of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone that bear a tell-tale typo sometimes signifying the first edition, first run of the book are the real deal.

Rene Lalique car mascot Victoire

René Lalique motoring mascots head single-owner sale at Bonhams

17 August 2016

A collection of motoring mascots formed by Robert White, a leading UK camera retailer, will be offered at Bonhams next month. Offered in single-owner sale in London on September 19, the consignments include 37 examples by René Lalique.

Herbert George Ponting - Petty officer Evans and Crean mending sleeping bags.jpg

Golden Age of Polar exploration inspires at Bonhams exhibition and DNW auction

02 August 2016

The Golden Age of Polar exploration is a constant source of fascination. Essentially, this period is the first three decades of the 20th century, when names such as Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen and Peary came to fame.

Sputnik-1 model at Bonhams

Sputnik-1 model goes into orbit at New York auction selling at 15 times estimate

21 July 2016

A full-scale test model of the satellite Sputnik-1 sold at Bonhams New York yesterday for $220,000 (£167,012), outstripping a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

William Dobson self-portrait at Bonhams

Early William Dobson self-portrait takes £920,000 at Bonhams

06 July 2016

An early 17th century self-portrait by the English court painter William Dobson (1611-46) was knocked down at £920,000 at Bonhams’ Old Masters sale today.

1949 Aston Martin DB

Aston Martin takes top spot at Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction

28 June 2016

It was definitely a case of the ‘best of British’ this weekend as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Bentley went head-to-head at Bonhams classic car auction.

Hannah O’Leary of Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s launch specialist auctions in London of Modern and Contemporary African Art

21 June 2016

Sotheby’s will start dedicated sales of Modern and Contemporary African Art in London next year. The decision underlines the growing importance of a sector in which Bonhams have stolen a march in recent years.

Persian (Qajar) jambiyas

Wagner weapons sold after ivory elements surrendered to customs

25 May 2016

A series of antique weapons were sold by Bonhams earlier this month missing their ivory elements after the items had been surrendered to the UK’s Border Force.

Bonhams launch online-only auctions with single-owner watch sale

24 May 2016

Bonhams are launching into the internet-only auction arena with a timed sale of watches from a single-owner collection of a European nobleman.

18th century Imperial Famille Rose ‘Chilong’ bottle vase

Rare 18th century Qianlong vase highlight at Bonhams' Fine Chinese Art sale

16 May 2016

A porcelain vase thought to be from a Chinese Imperial palace over two centuries ago sells at Bonhams for £110,500

1938 Brough Superior 750cc BS4 sold at Bonhams

Record price for British motorcycle as Brough Superior makes £331,900

04 May 2016

Bonhams set a record auction price for any British motorcycle with the sale of a 1938 Brough Superior 750cc BS4 for £331,900.

Tudor oak panel Bonhams auction

Fine Tudor oak panel fetches king’s ransom

10 March 2016

Very much the pièce de résistance of Bonhams’ first oak interior sale held in their New Bond Street rooms was the final lot of the day, a 23 x 17in (58.5 x 44.5cm) Tudor oak panel carved in high relief with a portrait of a king holding an orb and sceptre, thought to represent King John.

Bonhams drop staff in Hong Kong

07 March 2016

Bonhams say they are “reorganising operations” after Magnus Renfrew, the company’s deputy chairman in Asia, was laid off along with seven other members of staff based in Hong Kong.

Bonhams Home and Interiors sales

Wilkinson repackages Bonhams’ sales in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh

19 February 2016

Bonhams are to launch a new range of monthly Home & Interiors auctions in both their Knightsbridge and Edinburgh rooms.

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Sandby tops Hooton Pagnell dispersal

10 December 2015

Topping Bonhams Knightsbridge’s marathon nine-hour sale of items from Hooton Pagnell Hall in South Yorkshire was this 20½in x 2ft 5in (52 x 76cm) watercolour and gouache work by Paul Sandby (1730-1809).

Like Day and Night – figures restored and sell at Bonhams

07 December 2015

A 21in (53cm) pair of late 19th century Meissen figures emblematic of Day and Night after the models by Heinrich Schwabe were sold by Bonhams in support of West Dean College’s full-time ceramics conservation programme.

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An £800,000 toast for Gujarati tray

16 October 2015

The highlight of Bonhams’ latest sale of Islamic and Indian art in London was this rare Gujarati mother-of-pearl artwork of early date and exceptional size.

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Bonhams: airing on a TV screen near you

08 October 2015

Bonhams have launched a new brand campaign centred on TV advertising. It is the first time that a major international auction house has advertised on TV.

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