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Bonhams Group
Bonhams Group is the 230-year-old London auction house, acquired and restructured under CEO Bruno Vinciguerra, competing globally in fine art and...
Bonhams Group
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
1793
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
City
London
Corporate office
London, United Kingdom
Additional offices
New York · Los Angeles · Paris · Hong Kong · Sydney · Geneva
Principals
Bruno Vinciguerra
Group CEO
Ralph Taylor
Global Head of Post-War & Contemporary Art
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who controls investment decisions at Bonhams Group?
CEO Bruno Vinciguerra oversees strategic and operational decisions, reporting to the board of the holding company that acquired Bonhams in 2020. The ownership structure is not publicly disclosed as a single family office or public entity, so investment governance remains opaque.
Is Bonhams Group structured as a family office?
No. Bonhams Group is a privately held auction house. It is not a family office or asset manager, though it is owned by EP Wealth Advisors (a financial planning and investment firm that may manage family-office capital) and other investors.
How does Bonhams generate revenue?
Bonhams generates revenue primarily through commissions on consigned items sold at auction, typically ranging between 15% and 25% of hammer price, plus buyer's premium. It also operates a private sales desk for direct transactions outside auction.
What asset categories does Bonhams specialize in?
Bonhams covers fine art (modern, contemporary, Impressionist), watches, wine, jewelry, motor cars, rare books, and collectibles. Its specialist departments are organized around these categories.
How has Bonhams expanded geographically under new ownership?
New offices in Asia and a series of acquisitions — including Skinner in the US in 2023 — reflect a strategy of globalizing the brand. Hong Kong and Sydney serve as hubs for Asian-Pacific clients.
What distinguishes Bonhams from Sotheby's and Christie's?
Bonhams has historically focused on mid-market auctions and regional collecting, rather than the high-end sales that define its two largest competitors. Its private ownership allows some operational flexibility, but it has smaller market share in high-value single lots.
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