London's auction houses

London auction houses are much more than places to buy fine art and antiques, they're a great chance for you to view a treasure trove of items and experience the excitement of a bid.

Which are the main auction houses?

There are 3 main auction houses in London: Bonhams, Christie's and Sotheby's.

Christie's

How do I know what's on offer?

Before every sale there's a public viewing to give potential buyers an opportunity to examine the lots. And give the rest of us a chance to see things that might have been hidden from view for hundreds of years.

How do I attend an auction?

Unless otherwise stated, members of the public are free to attend auctions to see what's on sale and watch the bidding. You should check with the auction house to see if particular auctions are open to the public.

Sotheby's

What items should I look for?

All auction houses offer a variety of courses and programmes designed by antique specialists to help you recognise those priceless treasures. Please check individual websites for further information.

For further Information see auction house websites:

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