Auction House Profile
Phillips
International · Founded 1796 · London, United Kingdom
Phillips is an international auction house founded in London in 1796, specialising in Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches and Jewels.
Auction Highlight
Jean-Michel Basquiat — Untitled
Jean-Michel Basquiat's Untitled, executed in 1982, is one of the artist's most ambitious and important paintings. Created during the breakthrough year that established Basquiat as a major international figure, the monumental canvas combines street-derived imagery, raw painterly energy and a powerful self-referential figure. Offered by Phillips from the collection of Yusaku Maezawa, the work sold for US$85 million and stands as a defining example of Phillips' strength in the global market for Modern and Contemporary Art.
View the Phillips lot ↗Current sales
0
Upcoming sales
8
Founded
1796
Last sync
20 Oct, 10:56 am
Overview
Founded in Westminster, London, in 1796 by Harry Phillips, Phillips is one of the world's longest-established auction houses. Its early reputation was shaped by prominent estate and royal sales, as well as Harry Phillips' theatrical evening receptions before major auctions. Today, Phillips focuses primarily on art and collecting categories from the 20th and 21st centuries. The auction house conducts sales and exhibitions in London, New York, Geneva and Hong Kong, supported by representative offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Phillips also operates private sales, valuation and advisory services, and has developed digital initiatives including Dropshop.
Specialties & Departments
Specialties
Departments
Recent Featured Lot
21 Oct 2026
Marc Chagall
Le cheval à la lune
Estimate: EUR450,000–650,000
Vente Art Moderne & Contemporain et Design · Lot 21
Auction Calendar
north americaGCR monitors public auction calendars and documented auction catalogues published by this auction house. Current and upcoming sales are presented chronologically, with their market categories shown for context.
Upcoming Sales (8)
Auction Archive
Past Sales
Recently completed auctions from Phillips. When available, GCR displays the official sale cover or a representative documented lot.
21 Oct 2026
Results processingVente Art Moderne & Contemporain et Design
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Marc Chagall · Lot 21
View auction
17 Oct 2026
Results processingModern & Contemporary Art
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Antony Gormley · Lot 142
View auction
15 Oct 2026
Results processingModern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Gerhard Richter · Lot 8
View auction
Recently Closed
Photographs
08 Oct 2026
Results processingPhotographs
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
View auction
02 Oct 2026
Results processingExposure: Photographs Online Auction
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Vik Muniz · Lot 376
View auction
Recently Closed
Phillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions Fall 2026
01 Oct 2026
Results processingPhillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions Fall 2026
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
View auction
Saleroom
Locations
London
United Kingdom
Historic headquarters and principal European saleroom
New York
United States
Americas headquarters and major auction galleries
Geneva
Switzerland
Important centre for international watch and jewellery auctions
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Asia headquarters and purpose-built auction space in West Kowloon
Timeline
Harry Phillips establishes the auction house in Westminster, London.
Phillips handles the sale of paintings from the collection of Marie Antoinette, helping establish the house internationally.
Phillips holds a sale inside Buckingham Palace, a distinction the auction house says remains unique in its history.
Bernard Arnault of LVMH acquires Phillips and subsequently brings the business together with art dealers Simon de Pury and Daniela Luxembourg.
Simon de Pury acquires a majority stake in the company.
The owners of luxury retail group Mercury acquire a majority stake in Phillips.
Mercury completes its acquisition of the business.
Phillips opens its London headquarters at 30 Berkeley Square and launches Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo for collectors watches.
Phillips holds its first auctions in Hong Kong as part of its expansion in Asia.
Phillips relocates its New York headquarters to galleries at 432 Park Avenue.
Phillips opens its purpose-built Asia headquarters and auction space in West Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Market Notes
Sale formats
References
Explore Other Major Auction Houses
Discover other leading auction houses monitored by GCR.
Bukowskis
Stockholm, Sweden
Bukowskis is a leading Nordic auction house founded in Stockholm in 1870, specialising in fine art, design, antiques and collectables.
View profile →
Christie's
London, United Kingdom
Christie's is an international auction house founded in London in 1766, offering live and online auctions across fine art, decorative arts and luxury collecting categories.
View profile →
Deutscher and Hackett
Melbourne, Australia
Deutscher and Hackett is a leading Australian fine art auction house established in 2007, specialising in Australian, Indigenous Australian and international art and operating galleries in Melbourne and Sydney.
View profile →
Explore the Art Market
Continue exploring auction houses, upcoming sales and the global art market through GCR.