AuctionsMar 03, 2022
Michael Caine’s Rolex Sells for $133K at AuctionAuctionsMar 23, 2022
Auction House Bonhams Announces Second Acquisition in a Week
The company recently scooped up Boston-based Skinner and Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, a Danish auction house.
Skinner headquarters in Boston, left, and an auction in progress at Bruun Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bonhams recently acquired both companies for undisclosed amounts, marking the second and third auction houses it’s bought this year.
London—Bonhams has announced two acquisitions this month, bringing its year-to-date total to three following January’s purchase of Bukowskis in Stockholm, Sweden.
On March 16, the London-based private equity-owned auction house announced the acquisition of American auction house Skinner, which is based in Boston, has a saleroom in Marlborough, Massachusetts and conducts online sales.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Robert W. Skinner Jr. opened Skinner in 1962. His first employee, Stephen Fletcher, is now executive vice president and chief auctioneer, and owns the company alongside CEO Karen Keane.
Skinner holds about 80 sales a year across 20 categories, including jewelry and gemstones.
Notable sales include a Qing Dynasty vase that set a record when it sold for $24.7 million in 2014, the $5.5 million sale of the painting “Manchester Harbor” by Fitz Henry Lane, and what is believed to the oldest known bottle of whisky (c. 1860s), which sold for $137,500 in June 2021.
Bonhams said Fletcher, Keane and the entire Skinner staff will be joining Bonhams, and the auction house will operate as Bonhams Skinner.
Bonhams, which already has salesrooms in New York and Los Angeles, said buying Skinner will give it greater access to the North American market.
“Skinner is such an iconic presence in New England, and much-loved and celebrated for the rich treasures it offers,” Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra said.
“It also has a well-established digital footprint throughout North America that complements Bonhams’ presence, which will allow both companies to reach more consignors and buyers.”
Related stories will be right here …
On March 16, the London-based private equity-owned auction house announced the acquisition of American auction house Skinner, which is based in Boston, has a saleroom in Marlborough, Massachusetts and conducts online sales.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Robert W. Skinner Jr. opened Skinner in 1962. His first employee, Stephen Fletcher, is now executive vice president and chief auctioneer, and owns the company alongside CEO Karen Keane.
Skinner holds about 80 sales a year across 20 categories, including jewelry and gemstones.
Notable sales include a Qing Dynasty vase that set a record when it sold for $24.7 million in 2014, the $5.5 million sale of the painting “Manchester Harbor” by Fitz Henry Lane, and what is believed to the oldest known bottle of whisky (c. 1860s), which sold for $137,500 in June 2021.
Bonhams said Fletcher, Keane and the entire Skinner staff will be joining Bonhams, and the auction house will operate as Bonhams Skinner.
Bonhams, which already has salesrooms in New York and Los Angeles, said buying Skinner will give it greater access to the North American market.
“Skinner is such an iconic presence in New England, and much-loved and celebrated for the rich treasures it offers,” Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra said.
“It also has a well-established digital footprint throughout North America that complements Bonhams’ presence, which will allow both companies to reach more consignors and buyers.”
Bonhams followed the Skinner news with Tuesday’s announcement that it has purchased Bruun Rasmussen, the leading auction house in Denmark.
Financial terms of that deal were not disclosed either.
Bruun Rasmussen is headquartered in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, selling live via its salesrooms in the city center as well as online. The company is also the subject of a documentary series that has aired on Danish TV since 2013, “Auktionshuset.”
It sells more than 75,000 lots each year across a wide variety of categories, including jewelry as well as watches and clocks.
Established in 1948 by Arne Bruun Rasmussen, the auction house is currently chaired by the founder’s son, Jesper Bruun Rasmussen, who has headed the company since 1985.
Following the acquisition, Jesper will stay on as chairman emeritus, and Jakob Dupont will remain CEO.
In addition, Bonhams will retain the entire Bruun Rasmussen staff and the auction house will be known as Bruun Rasmussen—part of the Bonhams Network.
“This is Bonhams’ third recent acquisition and its fourth under the ownership of Epiris,” said Owen Wilson, a partner at Epiris.
“Bruun Rasmussen is a highly complementary addition to the Bonhams family, building on its presence in the important Nordic market and offering plentiful opportunities to develop synergies between the two auction houses’ networks and brands.”
Epiris is the private equity firm that purchased Bonhams, which was founded in London in 1793, in 2018.
Since then, the company has been sinking money into expanding Bonhams’ digital capabilities, marketing, new hires and acquisitions.
In addition to Bukowskis, Skinner and Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams bought The Market in April 2021, an online platform for classic cars and motorcycles.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
