Top 12 Best Online Art Auction Sites In 2023

Internet-based art auction houses allow art merchants, collectors, and aficionados to sell and buy pieces of art from across the world. Artworks from various time periods, schools of thought, and mediums, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs, are typically on display.

Some online art auction sites feature works by well-known artists and are affiliated with traditional brick-and-mortar auction houses, while others focus on newer or lesser-known artists. Let's check out a few of the best online auction houses in the world that sell a wide range of art forms internationally.

Listed below are the most prominent businesses that specialize in selling artwork via auction:

1. Bonhams

Bonhams is a worldwide auction house for fine art that features pieces from a wide range of time periods, artistic movements, and mediums. They stock a wide variety of expensive artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, pictures, decorative arts, jewelry, watches, and more.

The company was established in 1793 and now has branches in several major cities around the globe, including London, New York, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.

In addition to their regular art auctions in these cities, Bonhams also hosts online-only auctions, which are open to bidders from anywhere in the globe. Picasso, Monet, and Warhol are just a few of the famous artists whose works have been sold at Bonhams in the past. Jewelry, pottery from the United Kingdom and Europe, and other works of Asian art are also hot sellers there.

It's a good idea to look through the catalogs for their future auctions to get a sense of the kinds of artworks that will be out for bid.

2. Christie's

Christie's has been around since 1766, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious auction houses in the world. They sell a variety of expensive art forms such as paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, decorative arts, jewelry, watches, and more.

Their salerooms are located all over the world, including in major cities like London, New York, Hong Kong, and Paris, where they regularly conduct auctions. Also, you can participate in online-only auctions and private sales.

The markets for Impressionist and Modern Art, Postwar and Contemporary Art, Old Masters, and Asian Art are all particularly well served by them. In addition, their jewelry and timepieces are well-regarded in the market. Collectors, museums, and other establishments from all over the world make up Christie's clientele.

3. Sotheby's

Since its founding in 1744, Sotheby's has grown to become one of the most prestigious art auction companies in the world. Sotheby's continuing expansion can be attributed to the high caliber of clientele it serves at its original location in London, England.

It was founded in 1744 as a London art auction house and eventually moved to New York City. Private individuals, public museums, and other cultural organizations all make up Sotheby's international clientele. In addition to appraisals, they also provide consultation services.

They stream their auctions live for potential buyers who can't make it to the physical location, and they also provide an online viewing room where potential buyers can examine the artworks for sale in advance of the auction.

4. Phillips de Pury & Company

Contemporary art, design, and photography are Phillips de Pury & Company's (Phillips) areas of expertise, and they are a top auction house in the world. They focus on selling works by American artists. The auctions are held in New York, Geneva, and Zurich.

5. Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA)

If you are looking to buy or sell modern and contemporary art and design, look no further than Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA).

They routinely auction off works by established and up-and-coming artists. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Los Angeles, LAMA serves the global media and entertainment industries. They also do appraisals and consignments for private clients and public agencies.

6. Heritage Auctions

Art, comics, coins, sports memorabilia, historical artifacts, and more are just some of the many categories that Heritage Auctions specializes in. It has been around since 1976 and has its headquarters in Dallas.

Heritage Auctions conducts auctions both online and in person, and it has various locations in the United States and abroad. They have broken many records for highest auction prices ever achieved and are among the world's largest auction houses. Heritage Auctions provides valuation and consignment services for private clients and public institutions alike.

7. Grisebach

The German auction house Grisebach offers a wide variety of artworks for sale, including paintings, sculptures, and even furniture and decorative accessories.

They often host auctions of works from a wide range of time periods, with a particular emphasis on 19th- and 20th-century German and international art. They are also well-known for their knowledge and skill in dealing with Old Masters and Asian art. Their main office is in the German capital of Berlin.

8. Dorotheum

Since its founding in 1707 in Vienna, Austria, Dorotheum has grown to become one of the oldest and largest auction houses in Europe. Their areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, fine art, antiques, jewels, timepieces, and other luxury items.

They have salerooms in Vienna and Salzburg and a presence in other European cities like Prague and Milan, where they host regular auctions. In addition to serving a global clientele, they also host regular online auctions. Their specialties include works by Old Masters, Austrian art, and decorative arts.

9. Phillips

Phillips is a worldwide leader in the auction of modern and contemporary artwork, furniture, lighting, timepieces and fine jewelry. The company, which began in London in 1796, now has has offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Geneva, where pieces can be purchased.

They host regular auctions there, in addition to online-only sales, and frequently collaborate with artists, designers, and other institutions to host unique exhibitions and auctions.

Phillips is well-known for its promotion and selling of high-end timepieces and jewelry created by both up-and-coming and well-established modern artists and designers. It's one of the most exciting and cutting-edge auction houses available today.

10. Rago Auctions

Fine art, decorative art, furniture, and jewelry are just some of the items that Rago Auctions specializes in selling. The company was established in 1994 and has offices in both Lambertville and Manhattan.

Frequent auctions are held in both locations, and they also have an online store. Rago Auctions is well-known for its knowledge of 20th-century Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern.

11. Doyle New York

The organization has been around since 1962, and it has become an expert in art fields, such as fine art, furniture, decorative arts, jewelry, watches, books, and manuscripts. Consistent auctions are held in their saleroom in Manhattan, and they also have a physical presence in other cities.

In addition to serving a global clientele, they also host regular online auctions. You can trust the knowledgeable staff at Doyle New York to help you find the perfect piece, whether it be a painting, piece of furniture, or piece of decorative art from the United States or Europe, or even China. They've been around for a long time and have earned a reputation as one of the best auction houses in the country.

12. Barnebys

Barnebys is an online auction platform where users may browse and bid on works of art, antiques, and collectibles listed by a number of different auction houses and dealers.

It started in Stockholm, Sweden in 2011, and now it has branches all around the world, including the UK, the US, Germany, France, and more. Barnebys is a search engine that aggregates forthcoming auctions and available items from numerous auction houses and merchants, allowing users to place bids either through the hosting auction house or on the item directly.

For those interested in the value of art, antiques, and other collectibles, Barnebys provides a pricing guide, appraisals, and other resources. Buyers and collectors can find a wide variety of things for sale and keep tabs on market prices and trends with this helpful resource.

In conclusion

Art auctions serve as a crucial marketplace for the exchange of works of art. They provide a platform for creatives and art enthusiasts to meet and negotiate prices for artwork transactions.

Art auctions are also a great way for museums and other institutions to add significant pieces to their collections. Art collectors, historians, and the general public all benefit from the openness, historical records, and price points that auctions offer.