The Best Online Auction Sites for Collectibles: Where to Buy and Sell Rare Treasures
Looking for the perfect place to buy or sell rare collectibles? Online auction platforms have revolutionized the art and collectibles market, providing access to thousands of rare and valuable items. From art to vintage watches, these sites offer reliable services for enthusiasts and investors alike. This guide explores the best online auction sites for collectibles, including their features, specialties, and tips for success.
Whilst the emotional connection may differ from the real life experience, online auctions really do hold many advantages. First and foremost it is cost and time effective! In the past you would have had to book a flight and travel to the location where the auction was held, loosing invaluable time and money. Today, you can easily bid from the comfort of your own home. Another key point to consider with online auctions is the global aspect and worldwide reach. An opportunity for collectors to reach and bid on products, which until now might have been unaccessible. This ripple effect caused by the pandemic has cemented online auctions as a staple of the current market. If we take a look at some of the leading online auctions houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips they reported a 524% increased in sales from 2019 to 2020. Demand and buyer confidence has also meant an increase in the number of online sales.
Top Online Auction Platforms for Collectibles
sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s largest, most trusted and dynamic marketplace for art and luxury. They empower their international community of collectors and connoisseurs to discover, acquire, finance and consign fine art and rare objects. Their reputation for trust and authenticity is backed by their unparalleled global network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 44 departments, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, jewellery, watches, wine and spirits, and interiors, among many others. Guided by their forward-thinking spirit of innovation, they host over 600 auctions annually and offer a cross-category selection of items available for immediate purchase via both digital and physical shopping experiences as well as private sales.
Best For: High-end art and luxury collectibles.
Features: Secure bidding, valuation services, global reach.
christie’s
Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.
Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries, with 12 sale rooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
Best For: Fine art, jewelry, and classic collectibles.
Features: Expert-curated auctions, real-time bidding.
artcurial
Artcurial was founded in 2002, just at the time the French auction market was opening up to competition, and quickly became the leading French auction house. Since then the firm has continually innovated, launching new specialties such as Design and Street Art, which are a major international success.
Today, as a multifaceted auction house, Artcurial enjoys international recognition and has earned its place at the forefront of the art market. With sales taking place mainly in Paris, Monaco and Marrakech, the auction house made close to 169 M€ of sales volume in 2021.
Conceived as a cultural venue, the passion for works of art and collectors’ items is expressed around a core of main specialities - from fine art to decorative art, collectors’ cars, jewellery, important clocks and watches, fine wines and spirits, etc., in fact more than 25 areas of expertise.
With a clear international focus, Artcurial’s expertise extends beyond the French borders, exporting its know-how through representative offices in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain, subsidiaries in Monte-Carlo and Morocco as well as having a presence in Beijing and Tel Aviv and holding annual exhibitions in New York.
In 2017, the Artcurial group acquires one of the greatest actors in the world of luxury real-estate, John Taylor. With this acquisition, Artcurial develops its international position in the intermediation and sale of exceptional goods.
Competent specialist, acknowledged and recognised in each area of expertise, the Group is now able to bring an international client base the best advice and service regarding exceptional goods altogether.
bonhams
Bonhams is a privately owned international auction house. Founded in 1793, it is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers of fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery.
Bonhams has a heritage and reputation for connoisseurship and bespoke service known throughout the world. Founded in London in 1793, we are the sole remaining international auction house that is privately owned and in British hands. They hold more than 400 specialist sales a year in 60 different categories at their flagship sale rooms with options to bid online in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.
The breadth of their reach means that Bonhams can offer items for sale wherever the works will attract the strongest interest and keenest bidding. Matching the item to the sale is an art in itself - and Bonhams has become a master at it.
With specialists in every major area of art, antiques, jewellery, motor cars and collectables, the depth of knowledge at Bonhams makes them a natural choice as the place to buy and sell.
Phillips
Phillips is the destination for international collectors to buy and sell the world’s most important twentieth-century and contemporary works of art, design, jewels, watches, photographs and editions. By focusing specifically on the defining aesthetic movements of the last century, they have set theirselves apart as the most dynamic and forward-thinking auction house in the world. Their global presence, seasoned expertise and individualised client service lead collectors to seek their guidance on market trends and insights.
The Phillips team is comprised of specialists from auction houses, museums, galleries and other leading arts institutions. In addition to conducting auctions in our New York, London, Hong Kong and Geneva sale rooms, they hold private sales and curated selling exhibitions around the world, many of which are available to bid online. Outside of the opportunities they provide to consign or buy through auctions and private sales, they consult with museums, advise private estates and corporate clients and offer appraisals, valuations and other financial services.