What are the two most famous auction houses of London?

When considering the most renowned auction houses in London, and indeed the world, two names consistently rise to the forefront: Sotheby's and Christie's. These venerable institutions have dominated the global art and luxury market for centuries, establishing themselves as arbiters of taste and value, and facilitating some of the most significant sales in history. Their deep roots in London's rich cultural landscape and their expansive international presence solidify their status as the preeminent players in the auction world.

Sotheby's, founded in London in 1744 by Samuel Baker, initially began as a book auctioneer, holding its first sale of "several Hundred scarce and valuable Books". Over the centuries, it expanded its offerings dramatically, transitioning to fine art, jewelry, and decorative arts, and eventually becoming one of the world's largest internationally recognized firms. Sotheby's pioneered innovations like the "Evening Sale" format in 1958 and was the first to use satellite transmission for simultaneous bidding between London and New York in the 1960s. Today, with offices in 40 countries, Sotheby's continues to be a global powerhouse, having achieved consolidated sales of $7 billion in 2025.

Not far behind, Christie's was established in London in 1766 by James Christie. It quickly became known for its prestigious fine art auctions, attracting a clientele of aristocrats, collectors, and connoisseurs. Christie's too expanded globally throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, opening salerooms in major cities worldwide, including New York, Paris, and Hong Kong. The firm has been responsible for numerous historic sales, including famously auctioning the contents of Sir Joshua Reynolds's studio in 1794. In 2017, Christie's set a record for the highest price ever paid for a work of art, selling Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi" for $450.3 million. In 2025, Christie's reported projected global sales of $6.2 billion.

Both Sotheby's and Christie's maintain their iconic headquarters in London, on Bond Street and King Street respectively, and continue to shape the international art market. Their long-standing rivalry, extensive histories, and consistent handling of the world's most valuable and sought-after artworks and luxury goods firmly establish them as the two most famous and influential auction houses emanating from London.