Phillips
An auction house focused on 20th-century and contemporary art, design, photographs, editions, jewels and watches, with salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, Hong Kong and Paris. What it sells, how buying works and what it costs, with a straight link to the house.
- Founded
- 1796
- Based in
- New York & London
- Salerooms
- 5 cities
- Buyer's premium
- 29%
Go to Phillips →How buying worksFees
About Phillips
Harry Phillips, who had been a clerk to James Christie, opened his own London auction rooms in 1796, and 2026 marks the house's 230th year. Phillips is now owned by the Mercury Group and runs New York and London as twin headquarters, with its Asian base in Hong Kong.
Phillips concentrates on the newer end of the market: modern and contemporary art, design, photographs, prints and multiples, jewels, and watches, which it sells with Bacs & Russo. Its spring 2026 season totaled $507 million. It also runs Dropshop, an online platform for limited-edition releases.
What Phillips sells
How buying works at Phillips
- Register with IDRegistration needs government photo ID and a signature, and Phillips may ask for a bank reference. New in-person bidders should register at least 48 hours ahead.
- Choose how to bidBid online in Phillips's digital saleroom, in its app for iPhone and Android, by telephone (lots estimated at $1,000 or more), with a written absentee bid, or in the room.
- Consider Priority BiddingFor live auctions, a binding bid at or above the low estimate placed at least 48 hours before the sale gets a lower buyer's premium.
- PayPayment is due right after the auction unless agreed otherwise, by wire or, in New York, by card for invoices up to $30,000.
- Collect or shipPhillips offers in-house packing and shipping or works with your shipper. New York purchases are collected from its Long Island City warehouse.
What it costs
Phillips's buyer's premium since April 12, 2026. Priority Bidding (a binding bid at or above the low estimate, 48 hours before a live sale) gets the lower rate in brackets:
| Where and how much | Premium (Priority) |
|---|---|
| New York: up to $2M / $2M–$8M / over $8M | 29% / 22% / 15% (25% / 20% / 14%) |
| London: up to £1.5M / to £6M / above | 29% / 22% / 15% (25% / 20% / 14%) |
| London with VAT on the premium | 34.8% / 26.4% / 18% (30% / 24% / 16.8%) |
| Paris: up to €1.75M / to €7M / above | 29% / 22% / 15% |
| Geneva jewels: up to CHF 1.6M / to CHF 7M / above | 29% / 22% / 15% |
| Hong Kong: up to HK$15M / to HK$60M / above | 29% / 22% / 15% |
| Watches (live and online, no Priority rate) | 27% / 21% / 14.5% |
| Online-only sales | Standard rates; no Priority Bidding |
A $10,000 lot costs $12,900 before tax, or $12,500 with Priority Bidding.
Paying, pickup and storage
| When to pay | Right after the auction |
| Late payment interest | 12% a year (London and Hong Kong) |
| Cards, London | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UK debit up to £30,000 per auction |
| Cards, Hong Kong | Up to HK$800,000 per auction; no cash or checks |
| Cards, New York | Amex, Visa, Mastercard (a 2.5% fee and limits apply) |
| Storage, New York | $10 per lot per day from 30 days after the sale (Long Island City) |
| Storage, London | £4 per lot per day from 30 days after the sale |
| Storage, Hong Kong | Free 30 days, then daily fees by size |
| Registration | Photo ID and a signature; a bank reference may be asked; phone and absentee bids 24 hours ahead |
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UX Search is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Phillips. Bidding, payment and delivery all happen on the house's own site under its own terms. Information checked October 21, 2026 from Phillips buyer's premium schedule (April 2026) and Phillips New York buying guide and Phillips press, July 2026; fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the sale page.