Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Update, September 2026: The house is now part of Bonhams and trades as Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.

About Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Cornette de Saint Cyr is one of the most respected names in the French auction world, 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.

History

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 securing and selling prestigious private collections, a skill 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.

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. 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.

Locations and specialist departments

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 serving 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.

For consignors, the Bonhams 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, meaning items sold through Cornette de Saint Cyr now benefit from exposure to Bonhams's worldwide collector base.

Buying with Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr applies a tiered buyer's premium 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, and French VAT at 20 percent is added to the buyer's premium.

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; and an online sale of Vietnamese art achieved 415,000 dollars, demonstrating the benefits of the Bonhams partnership in reaching Asian art collectors.

Selling and online bidding

For sellers wishing to consign, the process begins with a free valuation arranged through the Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr website or by contacting the Paris or Brussels offices directly. Specialists provide expert assessment covering attribution, provenance, condition, and market value. Given the Bonhams connection, consignors also have the option of having items offered in sales held at other Bonhams locations worldwide, depending on where the best market exists.

Online bidding is fully supported through the Bonhams website as well as third-party platforms. All sales are accompanied by detailed online catalogues with high-resolution photography, condition reports are available on request, and the house also accepts telephone bids and written absentee bids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cornette de Saint Cyr sell?

A wide range of fine art, decorative arts, jewellery, watches, automobiles, and wine across sixteen-plus departments.

What is the buyer's premium structure?

A tiered Bonhams model starting at 28 percent and decreasing at higher price levels, plus a 4 percent platform fee for third-party bidding platforms and French VAT at 20 percent.

How can sellers consign items?

Free valuations are available online or in person at the Paris or Brussels offices.