About Sotheby's Auction House

Since the founding of the Sotheby's auction house in 1744, the Sotheby's name has earned renown as a marketer of the world's most valuable and prestigious possessions.



Follow any of these links to learn about Sotheby's and the way our business works. Sotheby's: A History Masters at auction since 1744. Buying at Sotheby's The ins and outs of auction, from picking up your paddle to picking up your purchase. Selling at Sotheby's From evaluation through final payment, everything you need to know about offering your property at Sotheby's. Glossary of Auction Terms Beyond Auctions Real estate, financial services, press releases, Sotheby's Institute of Art, and more.