Bonhams
Bonhams is a privately-owned British auction house founded in 1793. It is the third largest auctioneer after Sotheby's and Christie's, and conducts around 700 auctions per year.
The firm has London salerooms in New Bond Street and Knightsbridge. It operates in the USA as Bonhams & Butterfields and in Australia as Bonhams & Goodmans.
In 2001 Bonhams took over and rebranded the UK operations of auctioneer Phillips -- the remains of that company now operates as Phillips de Pury & Company, mainly in the USA. However, Phillips de Pury & Company will soon make another foray into the UK market when it holds its first London sale of Contemporary art at its new Victoria premises (9 Howick Place) on October 14, 2006.
In October 2005, Bonhams gained full independence after buying back a 49.9% stake held by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. It is a privately owned company.