BONHAMS STRENGTHENS NORDIC BUSINESS AND COLLABORATION

As the leading auction houses in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, Bukowskis and Bruun Rasmussen combined to sell more than 140,000 unique lots yearly, achieving a total value of over €166 million (including buyer’s premium). The strategic shift in leadership shows Bonhams’ commitment to the region and the importance of a close cross-Nordic collaboration and digital mind-set.

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, Bonhams Executive Chairman, said: “This is an important part of our strategy to further the development of the Nordic region through closer collaboration and knowledge sharing. Bukowskis and Bruun Rasmussen are two iconic brands and by playing to their different strengths, Bonhams will be in a unique position to drive growth.”

As part of the restructuring Louise Arén is appointed CEO of Bonhams Nordics whilst remaining in her role as CEO of Bukowskis. She will report to Bonhams Executive Chairman Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard. Jakob Dupont, CEO and Managing Director of Bruun Rasmussen, is stepping down from his position, and Louise will be Interim Managing Director of Bruun Rasmussen during the hiring process for Jakob’s successor.

Louise Arén, CEO of Bukowskis and Bonhams Nordics, said: “With Bukowskis’ market-leading position in Sweden and Finland, and Bruun Rasmussen’s unrivalled position in Denmark, we see great potential for growing the Nordic market and finding synergies through collaboration. I very much look forward to working even more closely with the Bruun Rasmussen team, their longstanding clients and expertise.”

Bukowskis and Bruun Rasmussen will work together as one Nordic region within the Bonhams Network and remain two independent companies and brands. The new regional structure aims to strengthen Bukowskis’ and Bruun Rasmussen’s respective positions and facilitate digital transformation and development.

About Louise Arén

Louise Arén joined Bukowskis as digital and e-commerce director and was named CEO a little over a year later in the fall of 2016. Louise’s previous experience includes strategic business development, marketing and digital development in leading positions within, among others, The Absolut Company, 3 and MTG. Under Louise Aren’s leadership Bukowskis has grown its revenue and profitability and undergone a digital transformation to meet modern demands. In 2022 Bukowskis was acquired by Bonhams and integrated with the Bonhams Global Network.

Bukowskis

Established in 1870, Bukowskis is the leading auction house in the Nordic region, offering fine art and collectables from their salerooms in Stockholm and Helsinki, as well as online. During 2023 Bukowskis sold a majority of the most valuable artworks in Sweden and 59 lots above one million SEK - while their innovative digital presence attracts over one million web users every month and 200,000 app users overall. Bukowskis offer more than 70,000 lots each year across Art, Works of Art, Design, Jewellery, Watches, Asian Works of Art, Carpets, Glass & Ceramics, and Silver.

Bruun Rasmussen

Since 1948, Scandinavian auctioneers Bruun Rasmussen has sold art, antiques, design, jewellery, wristwatches, and collector’s items in the heart of Copenhagen. Every year, more than 75,000 unique works of art are sold at three types of auctions - traditional live auctions, online sales, and direct-to-buy. Bruun Rasmussen has achieved international success as a digital pioneer in the auction business. Significant sales over the years include: A Chinese early Ming "dragon-in-waves" porcelain dish, sold in 2021 for DKK 35.5 million; Vilhelm Hammershøi, Interior, Strandgade 30 (1900), sold in 2019 for a hammer price of DKK 31.5 million; Edvard Munch, La Promenade des Anglais, Nice (1891), sold in 2006 for a hammer price of DKK 6.9 million.

-ENDS-

NOTES FOR EDITORS

 
About The Bonhams Network  

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.   

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement. More information HERE

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15^th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914, also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE