Phillips

Biography

Harry Phillips founded Phillips in London in 1796. From its very start, Phillips distinguished itself in the auction world by holding sales for venerable collectors including Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Beau Brummel. By 1840, William Augustus inherited the legacy from his father, Harry Phillips. At that point, the company had become well-known for its strong regional salerooms scattered throughout the British Isles.

After Phillips was sold to Bernard Arnault, chairman of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH) in 1999, it operated under the control of Simon de Pury and shifted focus to solely sell its best works in Contemporary Art, Photography, Design, Jewellery, and Editions. In 2013, luxury retail company Mercury Group acquired the remaining of De Pury’s company shares.

Today, Phillips runs offices all around the world, with its headquarters in New York and London. The auction house provides an outstanding auction experience for art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Collections are separated into special departments including 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Latin America, Photographs, Editions, Design, Jewels, and Watches.

The auction house also provides private sales for clients who prefer to remain anonymous, as well as appraisals, financial services for their client’s prospective sales, museum services for artwork preservation, and collaboration with nonprofit organizations.