Say the name Sotheby’s and most people picture a packed saleroom, a raised paddle and a painting selling for millions. It feels like a world reserved for billionaires and seasoned collectors. The reality is far more open. Anyone can create a Sotheby’s account, register to bid or submit an artwork for an estimate. You simply need to know how the process works before you step in.
This guide walks you through both sides of the auction house: how to buy and how to sell.
Why Sotheby’s Matters in the Art World
Founded in London in 1744, Sotheby’s is one of the oldest and most influential auction houses in the world. Its sales set price records, shape artist reputations and give the wider art market a public benchmark for value. Even if you never bid there, following its results teaches you a great deal about how art is priced and why certain works rise in value over time.
Part 1 — How to Buy at Sotheby’s
Step 1 — Create your account. Everything starts with a free client account on the Sotheby’s website or app. This is where you register for sales, place bids, receive invoices and pay.
Step 2 — Verify your identity. Sotheby’s asks new clients for government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, plus a separate proof of address. For higher-value sales they may also request a bank reference, a deposit or other financial security before approving you to bid.
Step 3 — Choose how you want to bid. You have several options:
- Online-only auctions — Timed sales where you bid directly on the website or app. The easiest place for beginners to start.
- Advance or absentee bids — You set your maximum before the live sale and Sotheby’s bids for you, never going above your limit.
- Live online bidding — Bid in real time from anywhere while the auction happens.
- Telephone bidding — A specialist bids on your behalf by phone. This must be arranged at least 24 hours before the sale.
- In person — Register for a paddle and bid in the saleroom.
Step 4 — Understand the real price. The hammer price is not what you pay. Sotheby’s adds a buyer’s premium on top. Under the rates introduced in February 2026, the premium is 28% on hammer prices up to $2 million, 22% between $2 million and $8 million and 15% above $8 million. Sales tax, import duties and shipping may also apply. Always check the current Conditions of Business before bidding, because rates can change.
Step 5 — Pay and collect. Payment is due right after the sale. Paying online through your account is the fastest option, and Sotheby’s no longer accepts checks. Arrange shipping or collection quickly, because lots left uncollected for more than 30 days start to incur storage fees.
Part 2 — How to Sell at Sotheby’s
Selling, known as consigning, is simpler than most people expect.
- Submit online — Use the “Sell” section of the Sotheby’s website. Upload a few clear photos and share whatever you know about the work, including its history, paperwork and where it came from. You do not need to know its value first.
- Receive an estimate — A specialist reviews your submission. If Sotheby’s can sell the piece, you receive a low-to-high estimate based on comparable sales and current demand.
- Agree the terms — You sign a consignment agreement. Seller commission is agreed case by case, so ask your specialist exactly what you will receive before committing.
- Set a reserve — This is a confidential minimum price. If bidding does not reach it, the work stays yours.
- Get paid — If the work sells, payment typically arrives about a month after the auction, once the buyer has settled.
Why Provenance Is Everything
Whether you buy at auction or from a studio, the most valuable thing you can own alongside a painting is its paper trail. Receipts, certificates and a clear record of who made the work and who owned it make a piece easier to insure, resell and pass on. That is why every painting we sell comes with an Authenticity Guarantee, giving you documented proof that your artwork is a genuine, one-of-a-kind original.
Start Your Collection Before the Auction Room
Most serious collectors did not begin at Sotheby’s. They began by buying original work they loved directly from artists and studios, learning what moved them and building a collection piece by piece. Auction-level prices come later, if at all.
If you are ready to own your first or next original, browse our Original Paintings collection. Every piece is hand-painted, one of a kind and shipped free across the USA.
Have a question about a painting, its provenance or a commission? Contact our team and we will be happy to help.
