Bonhams acquires Scandinavian auction house Bukowskis

Bonhams, one of the oldest international auction houses, has acquired Bukowskis, the leading Scandinavian auction house, following its recent expansion into Paris. Founded in 1870 in Stockholm, Bukowskis sold 11 of the 15 most valuable artworks on the Swedish market last year and has strengthened its digital presence through its website and app. The acquisition is part of Bonhams' strategy to enhance its digital capabilities and European reach, according to a press release. Bonhams itself was acquired by the UK private equity fund Epiris Fund II in 2018 after a failed 2014 deal with China's Poly Culture Group. Alex Fortescue, Managing Partner of Epiris, stated that the acquisition of Bukowskis is a significant step in transforming Bonhams into a digitally enabled business through investments in people, technology, and M&A. Bruno Vinciguerra, CEO of Bonhams, emphasized that acquiring a renowned auction house like Bukowskis is key to Bonhams' digital leadership strategy. Louise Arén, CEO of Bukowskis, noted that with Bonhams' global reach, Bukowskis can strengthen its position as a leading auction house in the Nordic region.