The art market 2025 closed with surprising results for Bonhams, one of the most active and dynamic international auction houses. With record sales, new locations, and strong expansion in emerging markets, Bonhams confirms its key role for collectors and investors in art and luxury collectibles.
Bonhams 2025: a record year for luxury collecting
In 2025 Bonhams successfully managed over 60 auction categories, ranging from contemporary art to historic jewelry, from collector cars to design. Some of the most striking results:
- The Tiara in turquoise and diamonds of Nancy Astor, signed by Cartier, sold for £889,400 ($1,206,737), exceeding the initial estimate by three times.
- Léonard Foujita dominated the London scene with Chien savants, sold for £3.9 million.
- The work NOV. 27, 1984 by On Kawara reached HKD 8.5 million during the auction in Hong Kong, marking a milestone for contemporary Japanese art.
These results highlight a growing attention towards iconic works and prestigious provenances, key elements for investments in art with high yield.
New markets for Bonhams auctions: focus on Middle East and USA
Steinway Hall: the new headquarters of Bonhams in New York
The year 2025 was marked by the opening of the new global headquarters of Bonhams at 111 West 57th Street, Manhattan, within the historic Steinway Hall. This prestigious architectural space, next to MoMA and Carnegie Hall, strengthens Bonhams’ presence in the cultural heart of New York.
Objective: offer clients an exclusive auction experience and become a point of reference for international collecting and primary markets.
Expansion in the Middle East
The year 2025 saw Bonhams strengthen its presence in the Middle Eastern art market:
- Partnership with Dubai Watch Week for auctions of watches, jewelry, art, and haute couture.
- First presentation in Riyadh with Judhoor: Roots of Saudi Modernism, culminating with the absolute record in Middle Eastern art sales in London.
- A rare complete series of lithographs by Safeya Binzagr, a pioneer of modern Saudi art, is up for auction.
With events like Frieze Abu Dhabi, Art Basel Doha, Design Miami, 2026 is shaping up to be a strategic year for attracting new collectors and private capital in art collecting.
Pop culture and emotional collecting: the example of Downton Abbey
Bonhams continues to focus on thematic auctions with high cultural impact, such as the event dedicated to Downton Abbey, which combined exhibition and immersive experience. These formats create an emotional connection with the objects, making them collectible assets with strong symbolic value.
Even the celebrity collections, such as those of Gene Hackman and Gary Moore, have achieved excellent results, confirming the appeal of collecting linked to well-known names for a global audience.
Trust & Estates: inheritance, private collections, and long-term value
The Trusts & Estates department of Bonhams has managed important private collections with significant results throughout 2025:
- Works by David Hockney, a Bugatti Devo, precious diamonds, and a Roman bust of Aphrodite.
- Collaboration between global teams and specialists to maximize sales performance.
- Services of wealth advisory and long-term collection management for families, trusts, and foundations.
For gli investitori in arte, this service represents a guarantee of professionalism and strategic enhancement.
Japanese art and diaspora: a new chapter in the global market
The year 2025 marked the definitive rise of Japanese art in the contemporary art market:
- NOV. 27, 1984 by On Kawara has become a symbol, auctioned on the exact day of its creation, 40 years later.
- Foujita confirmed the interest in the Japanese diaspora with a record sale.
- The coincidence with the retrospective on Kawara at Tai Kwun Contemporary (Hong Kong) has increased global attention.
This trend opens new opportunities for investment in Asian art, which is experiencing strong growth in international salons.
What to expect from the art market in 2026?
The art market 2025 has proven to be solid, competitive, and continuously expanding. Bonhams has been able to grasp the new trends in international collecting, consolidating its leadership among luxury auctions, modern art, jewelry, and memorabilia.
The 2026 will be marked by:
- New bull and global bear partnerships
- Investments in technology and digital platforms
- An increasing focus on emerging markets and on thematic collections of cultural value
For expert collectors and investors in search of alternative assets, Bonhams confirms itself as a solid and strategic partner, capable of maximizing the value of each work to its fullest potential.
IMAGE: On Kawara, NOV. 27, 1984. Sold for HK$8,513,000 inc. premium.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
