AuctionsJun 23, 2022
Auction House Freeman’s Appoints First Rep in Florida AuctionsJun 29, 2022
Bonhams Expands Again with Purchase of Paris Auction House
It is the fifth acquisition under the ownership of private equity firm Epiris, which bought Bonhams in 2018.
The inside of Cornette de Saint Cyr auction house in Paris. Bonhams just bought the company, marking its fourth acquisition of 2022 and its fifth since being purchased by a private equity firm in 2018. (© Fatima Jellaoui)
London—Bonhams has acquired another auction house, this time picking up Paris-based Cornette de Saint Cyr.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr established the auction house that bears his name in 1973.
Today, his sons Arnaud Cornette de Saint Cyr and Bertrand Cornette de Saint Cyr run the business as CEO and head of valuations and collections, respectively.
Bonhams said Arnaud and Bertrand will remain with the company after the acquisition, and the auction house will operate as Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.
The acquisition of Cornette de Saint Cyr gives Bonhams a second location in Paris in addition to the salesroom it opened in September 2021, and more of a foothold in Europe. In addition to its flagship on Avenue Hoche in Paris, Cornette de Saint Cyr has a saleroom in Brussels, Belgium.
Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra said the acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to develop into a global player with a balanced presence across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Arnaud remarked on the “wonderful synergy” between Bonhams and his family’s business.
“This new adventure will help the auction house my father founded go from strength to strength,” he said.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved and much look forward to working with Bonhams to further our goals and our international reach.”
Cornette de Saint Cyr has 16 departments including Jewelry and Collection Clocks, Haute-Couture, Comics & Illustrations, Books & Manuscripts, and Natural History.
It is known for its high-profile single-owner sales, including Alain Delon’s abstract art (2007); the estate of the Franco-Japanese painter Foujita (2011); furniture and fittings from the Hotel Royal Monceau (2008); and the couture collection belonging to Hélène Rochas, the former CEO of French fashion house Rochas. (2016).
In October, the auction house is slated to sell Asian art from the personal collections of members of the Rousset family.
The purchase of Cornette de Saint Cyr marks Bonhams fourth acquisition this year and fifth since U.K. private equity firm Epiris bought it in 2018.
Bonhams bought Stockholm-based Bukowskis, an auction house that dates to 1870, in January, as well as Boston-based Skinner, and Bruun Rasmussen in Denmark in the same week in March.
Prior to that, Bonhams picked up The Market, an online platform for classic cars and motorcycles, in April 2021.
“This acquisition represents a huge step forward for our ambitions in an important market and cements Bonhams’ position as the world’s leading core-market auction house,” Epiris partner Alex Fortescue said of the purchase of Cornette de Saint Cyr.
“Well-planned and well-executed mergers and acquisitions are a key part of our strategy to add scale, strategic position, and growth to the companies that Epiris invests in. Bonhams really embodies this.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
