A Piece of the Auction: Behind the Scenes at the Auction House

Wednesday 2 September 2026 at 2.00 pm at the Lowther Pavilion. Guests may attend the lecture – £10 pp (pay on door)

Lecturer: Simon Cottle

Simon is a leading international specialist, author, auctioneer and lecturer in British and European Glass, now retired. Formerly he was Managing Director (Bonhams Europe) and Director of European Ceramics and Glass at Bonhams Auctioneers, London (2007-2023). He was also formerly Head of European Ceramics and Glass at Sotheby’s, where he was also a Director and auctioneer (1990 to 2007). He is responsible for numerous auctions of European Glass both at Sotheby’s and Bonhams. He began his career as a senior curator of ceramics, glass and silver at museums in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Glasgow (1979-1990). He is Hon. President of the Glass Society, Fellow of the Guild of Glass Engravers and a Fellow of the Corning Museum of Glass, New York.

The Lecture:

The international art market is today dominated by four British auction houses, all founded in the 18th century, their record prices sensationally reported by the world’s media. But what is it like behind the canvas? How do auction houses function? What goes on behind the scenes and what is required for a successful sale to take place? With an historical overview and the inside stories behind the rise of the four leading international salerooms, based particularly in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, this partly interactive lecture, given by an auctioneer and specialist with almost 40 years’ experience in Sotheby’s and Bonhams, reveals all.

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