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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
