Sotheby’s Reports Record $4.4 Billion First Half for 2026

Sotheby’s reported a record first half of 2026, with consolidated sales reaching $4.4 billion.

The auction house said the total represents a 58 percent increase from the first half of 2025 and marks an all-time high for the company. Auction sales reached $3.4 billion, up 59 percent year over year, while private sales reached $826 million, up 52 percent and also an all-time high.

Sotheby’s also reported a 90 percent sell-through rate, which it said was its strongest since at least 2010. The company said it saw 4.9 bidders per lot sold, a 6 percent increase from the first half of 2025 and an all-time high. Bidding came from 119 countries across 170 auctions.

CEO Charles F. Stewart said Sotheby’s record first half continued the momentum from the second half of 2025. He pointed to broad buyer demand across categories and global locations, landmark single-owner sales in fine art and luxury, and growth in private sales.

The company’s fine art highlights included $908.6 million in sales during the New York Marquee season, with a 92.5 percent sell-through rate. Sotheby’s said that was the highest combined sell-through rate for a marquee sales series at Sotheby’s New York. The Robert Mnuchin: Collector at Heart sale brought $173 million, while the London June Marquee sales totaled $556.5 million, the highest total for any season of sales Sotheby’s has staged in Europe.

The Lewis Collection led the London season, realizing $406.2 million. Sotheby’s said it was the highest-value single-owner sale ever staged in the United Kingdom and the highest-value Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary art sale ever staged in Europe.

Design also delivered a major result. The Collection of Jean & Terry de Gunzburg, Sotheby’s first single-owner Design sale at the Breuer, totaled $96 million in a white-glove sale. Sotheby’s said it became the most valuable design auction in United States auction history. Claude Lalanne’s ensemble of fifteen mirrors brought $33.5 million, setting a new auction record for the artist and the highest price ever achieved for a work of design at auction.

Luxury categories were another major part of the first-half results. RM Sotheby’s posted record first-half sales, up 61 percent from the first half of 2025. The division was led in part by the sale of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider for €16.7 million at the €87 million Monaco sale, which Sotheby’s said became the highest-grossing collector car auction ever held in Europe.

Watches were up 64 percent globally from the first half of 2025, with a 90 percent sell-through rate. Sotheby’s Hong Kong Important Watches sale totaled $52.9 million, which the company said was the highest total ever for a watch sale at Sotheby’s and the most valuable watch auction ever held in Asia across all auction houses. The Shapes of Cartier, described as the largest and most comprehensive collection of vintage Cartier watches in auction history, was 100 percent sold and totaled $17.2 million, with more sales to come this year.

Jewelry sales rose 13 percent globally, also with a 90 percent sell-through rate. A 10.02-carat Fancy Intense Blue diamond sold for $8.7 million, which Sotheby’s said was the top jewel sold across all auction houses in New York this year.

Wine and spirits also saw strong results, with a combined 94 percent sell-through rate. Immortal Vintages | 200 Years of Bordeaux totaled $2.1 million, more than double its presale estimate, and set 10 world records. Sotheby’s also reported a record for the most valuable American whiskey collection, with The Great American Whiskey Collection bringing $2.5 million. An Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” bottle from 1982 sold for $162,500, setting a record for the most valuable bottle of American whiskey ever sold at auction.

Looking ahead, Sotheby’s said its New York summer season includes 250 Years of American Art & Culture, on view through August 16. Beginning July 22, the auction house will present Botero In New York, a selling exhibition created in partnership with The Fernando Botero Foundation.

The company also pointed to several major upcoming sales and exhibitions, including RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction in August, which Sotheby’s said is the largest ever for RM Sotheby’s, with a low estimate of $314 million and 75 cars carrying low estimates above $1 million. In October, Sotheby’s will present Magnum Opus: A Private Collection of Exceptional Art and Objects Through the Ages, with more than 900 works across more than 25 categories.

Sotheby’s first-half report shows strength across several major categories, from fine art and design to cars, watches, jewelry, wine and spirits. The company’s record sales total, high sell-through rate and growing private sales business point to continued demand for rare, high-end items across the global collectibles market.