Koller Auctions

About Koller Auctions

Koller Auctions is Switzerland's foremost auction house and one of the most important independent auction firms in Europe. Founded in 1958 by Pierre Koller, a Zurich attorney with a passion for fine art and antiques, the firm has evolved over six decades from a gallery dealing in paintings and decorative arts into a full-service auction house with global reach, conducting approximately 80 saleroom and online auctions annually across 20 distinct collecting categories.

History

Pierre Koller established the Galerie Koller in Zurich in 1958, initially dealing in fine arts and antiques through private sales and gallery exhibitions. Over time, the business shifted increasingly toward auction sales, and by 2008 the firm formally rebranded as Koller Auctions Ltd. (Koller Auktionen AG) to reflect the primacy of the auction business. Today, the company remains family-managed, preserving the personal commitment and long-term perspective that distinguish independent firms from corporate competitors.

Specialist departments

From its Zurich headquarters, Koller conducts a comprehensive program of specialist auctions spanning:

• Old Master and Nineteenth-Century Paintings and Drawings
• Modern and Contemporary Art, Swiss Art, Photography
• Furniture, Silver, Porcelain
• Books and Autographs
• Art Nouveau and Art Deco, Design
• Wine, Vintage, Jewelry, Watches, and Asian Art

Each department is overseen by a dedicated team of specialists. The Swiss Art department is a particular strength, reflecting Koller's position as the dominant domestic auction house, regularly handling works by leading Swiss artists from the Old Masters through to contemporary practitioners. The Old Master and Modern Art departments draw international consignments and attract bidders from more than 50 countries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Sales calendar and locations

The auction calendar is anchored by major catalogued sales held in spring and autumn, multi-day events bringing together the finest consignments across all departments, supplemented by a busy schedule of online-only auctions, specialist sales, and themed events throughout the year. Koller maintains an international network of representative offices in Germany, Italy, and other markets, plus connections in China and Russia, facilitating consignment sourcing and client service across an increasingly global buyer base.

Selling with Koller

Valuations are available at the Zurich premises, at representative offices, or through online submission. The specialist team provides estimates based on current market conditions and art-historical research, and handles all cataloguing, photography, condition reporting, and marketing, presenting consignments in high-quality printed and online catalogues with a comprehensive results archive. Commission rates are discussed at the time of consignment and may vary depending on the value, category, and nature of the property. Ancillary services include insurance and estate valuations, collection consulting, and private sale brokerage.

Buying and bidding

Buyers can participate in person at Zurich, by telephone, by absentee bid, or through the online platform. For live online bidding in classic auctions, an additional fee of 3 percent of the hammer price applies. A buyer's premium is charged on all purchases, and Swiss VAT is applied to the premium, with the specific rate published in the conditions of sale for each auction.

Why Zurich

Koller's position in Switzerland is strategically significant. Zurich is one of the world's major financial centers, with a concentration of high-net-worth individuals and institutional collectors that supports a vibrant art market, and Switzerland's favorable regulatory and tax environment for art transactions adds to the appeal, with the country's central European location making Zurich accessible to buyers and sellers across the continent. The firm's catalogues are a particular point of pride, produced to a high standard of scholarship and design, with detailed descriptions, provenance histories, and condition information supported by professional photography, and the website provides a comprehensive results archive that is a valuable research tool for collectors and the trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Koller Auctions and when?

Koller Auctions was founded in 1958 by Pierre Koller, a Zurich attorney, as the Galerie Koller; it formally rebranded as Koller Auctions Ltd. in 2008.

How many auctions does Koller hold each year?

Koller conducts approximately 80 saleroom and online auctions annually across 20 distinct collecting categories.

Is there an extra fee for live online bidding?

Yes, live online bidding in classic auctions carries an additional fee of 3 percent of the hammer price, on top of the buyer's premium and Swiss VAT.