Cornette de Saint Cyr

Cornette de Saint Cyr is one of the most respected names in the French auction world, a house with a distinguished history stretching back to 1973 when it was founded by Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr. Over five decades, the firm built a formidable reputation for handling important single-owner collections and for its deep expertise in Impressionist, modern, and contemporary art. In 2022, the house was acquired by Bonhams, the London-based international auction group, and now operates as Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, combining its French heritage with the global reach and resources of one of the world's largest auction houses. Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr was a charismatic figure in the Paris art scene who brought a personal touch and keen eye to the auction business. Under his leadership, the house became known for its ability to secure and sell prestigious private collections, a skill that remains central to its identity today. Among the most celebrated consignments in the house's history are the collection of abstract paintings belonging to French film icon Alain Delon, the estate of the Japanese-French painter Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, furniture from the legendary Hôtel Royal Monceau, and the couture collection of Hélène Rochas. These landmark sales established Cornette de Saint Cyr as a go-to destination for significant French and international collections. The house operates from two primary salerooms: a prestigious space on Avenue Hoche in Paris, near the Arc de Triomphe, and a saleroom in Brussels that serves the Belgian and wider European market. From these locations, Cornette de Saint Cyr holds auctions across more than sixteen departments, including Impressionist and modern art, post-war and contemporary art, Asian art, jewellery, watches, books and manuscripts, furniture and decorative arts, photographs, wine and spirits, and classic automobiles. The acquisition by Bonhams in 2022 was the fourth acquisition made by the Bonhams group that year, reflecting the London house's aggressive expansion strategy in the European market. For Cornette de Saint Cyr, the partnership brought access to Bonhams's global network of salerooms in London, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and elsewhere, as well as shared marketing, technology, and specialist resources. For consignors, this means that items sold through Cornette de Saint Cyr now benefit from exposure to Bonhams's worldwide collector base. Despite the acquisition, the house has maintained its distinct French identity and continues to be led by members of the Cornette de Saint Cyr family, including Dorothée and Sabine Cornette de Saint Cyr, who serve as specialists within the Bonhams network. This combination of family continuity and international backing is a significant competitive advantage. In terms of buyer's premiums, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr applies a tiered structure: 28 percent on the first 40,000 euros of the hammer price, 27 percent from 40,001 to 800,000 euros, 21 percent from 800,001 to 4,500,000 euros, and 14.5 percent on any amount exceeding 4,500,000 euros. An additional 4 percent platform fee applies for buyers using third-party bidding platforms such as Invaluable or LiveAuctioneers. French VAT at 20 percent is added to the buyer's premium. These rates are consistent with the Bonhams group structure and are competitive with other major international houses operating in France. Recent sale highlights reflect the breadth of the house's expertise. A post-war and contemporary art auction totalled over 4.12 million dollars in 2024, led by a work by Nicolas de Staël. A themed Surrealism sale achieved 1.14 million dollars. The house has also expanded into Vietnamese art, with an online sale in that category achieving 415,000 dollars, demonstrating the benefits of the Bonhams partnership in reaching Asian art collectors. For sellers wishing to consign, the process begins with a free valuation that can be arranged through the Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr website or by contacting the Paris or Brussels offices directly. The house's specialists provide expert assessment covering attribution, provenance, condition, and market value. Given the Bonhams connection, consignors also have the option of having their items offered in sales held in other Bonhams locations worldwide, depending on where the best market exists for a particular work or object. Online bidding is fully supported through the Bonhams website as well as through third-party platforms. All sales are accompanied by detailed online catalogues with high-resolution photography, and condition reports are available upon request. The house also accepts telephone bids and written absentee bids. For those considering Cornette de Saint Cyr, the key questions are well addressed. The house sells a wide range of fine art, decorative arts, jewellery, watches, automobiles, and wine across sixteen-plus departments. The fee structure follows Bonhams's tiered premium model, starting at 28 percent and decreasing at higher price levels. Consigning is straightforward, with free valuations available online or in person. Online bidding is well supported. What makes this house stand out is its unique combination of half a century of French auction heritage, expertise in high-profile single-owner sales, and the global infrastructure of the Bonhams network.