Phillips is a leading global auction house renowned for its focus on contemporary art, design, watches, and jewellery. Founded in London in 1796 by Harry Phillips, a former senior clerk to James Christie, the auction house initially specialised in books and fine art. Over time, Phillips evolved into a modern powerhouse in the art world, known for its innovative approach and expertise in 20th and 21st-century works. With flagship locations in London, New York, and Hong Kong, Phillips hosts auctions, private sales, and exhibitions, catering to a discerning international clientele. Its commitment to fostering emerging artists and engaging with contemporary culture has solidified its reputation as a forward-thinking and dynamic force in the global art market.

Sales coming up:

March 2025

Phillips is set to host its Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 30 Berkeley Square, London. The auction feature an impressive selection of works from renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Anselm Kiefer, and Yayoi Kusama. Highlights include Picasso's "Nu debout et nu assis," estimated at £400,000–£600,000; Banksy's "Kids on Guns," estimated at £400,000–£600,000; Hirst's "Ascent," estimated at £500,000–£700,000; Basquiat's "Pattya," estimated at £2,000,000–£3,000,000; Kiefer's "Für Gérard de Nerval," estimated at £600,000–£800,000; and Kusama's "Pumpkin," estimated at £400,000–£600,000. “Pumpkins have been a great comfort to me since my childhood. They speak to me of the joy of living. They are humble and amusing at the same time, and I have and always will celebrate them in my art.” —Yayoi Kusama.

Yayoi Kusama’s bright yellow pumpkin has become her most iconic motif, deeply rooted in both her artistic practice and personal history. Growing up on her family’s seed farm in Matsumoto, Japan, she experienced vivid hallucinations from a young age, often overwhelmed by visions of accumulating flowers and talking plants. However, unlike these unsettling encounters, a childhood interaction with a pumpkin brought her comfort, speaking to her in an animated manner. This formative experience shaped her lifelong fascination with the gourd, now a symbol inseparable from her artistic identity.

Phillips Auction House has an exciting lineup of sales in the coming months. On April 2, 2025, the New York Photographs Auction will take place at 432 Park Avenue, featuring two sessions at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM EDT. Later in the month, on April 30, the Design Auction is scheduled in London at 30 Berkeley Square, commencing at 2:00 PM BST, with viewings available from April 24 to 30. In May, Phillips will host several notable events in Geneva, including the Geneva Jewels: Online Auction from May 7 to 15, The Geneva Watch Auction: XXI on May 10 and 11, and The Geneva Jewels Auction: IV on May 12 at 3:00 PM CET. Additionally, The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XX is set for May 24 and 25. For collectors in New York, The New York Watch Auction: XII is planned for June 7 and 8 at 432 Park Avenue. 

January 2025

Phillips London is set to host its Evening & Day Editions auction on 23–24 January 2025, featuring a selection of works by Andy Warhol and other notable artists. Highlights include Warhol's Mao (1972), a screenprint in colours on Beckett High White paper, and New York Post (Judge Blasts Lynch) (1983), a screenprint on Stonehenge Grey paper. The auction will also showcase works by artists such as Jasper Johns, Gerhard Richter, Ed Ruscha, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.