Millon

Millon is one of the most storied independent auction houses in France, tracing its origins back to 1928 when it was founded in Paris. The house began under the name Robert, initially making a mark in the French auction world before joining forces with the Millon family of auctioneers who helped shape the operations at the Hôtel Drouot, Paris's historic auction complex. Over the decades, Millon has grown from a regional Parisian operation into a truly international enterprise, with salerooms in Paris, Nice, Brussels, Milan, and Ho Chi Minh City, along with appraisal offices in over 35 cities worldwide. What sets Millon apart from its competitors is the extraordinary breadth of its expertise. The house operates 49 specialist departments covering 5,000 years of art, design, craftsmanship, and lifestyle history. These departments range from Old Master paintings, modern art, and Art Nouveau to Asian art, African and Oceanic art, historical memorabilia, militaria, jewellery, watches, wine and spirits, vintage automobiles, and even comic strip art. This remarkable diversity means that Millon can handle virtually any category of collectible or fine art, making it a one-stop destination for both sellers looking to consign and buyers seeking unusual or niche categories that larger international houses may not cover as thoroughly. Millon organizes over 350 auctions per year across its various locations, a volume that rivals or exceeds many of the larger international houses. The company reported total sales of approximately 94 million euros in 2023, representing a 200 percent increase compared to 2020, a growth trajectory that underscores its rising prominence in the global auction market. This surge has been driven in part by the house's aggressive expansion into new markets and its embrace of digital technology, including robust online bidding capabilities. The auction house's Paris headquarters remains its primary hub, with major sales held at several prestigious venues in the French capital. The Nice operation, known as Millon Riviera, caters specifically to collectors and consignors in the south of France, a region with deep roots in art collecting. The Brussels saleroom serves the Benelux market, while the Milan office represents Millon's push into the Italian art market. The Vietnamese operation reflects the house's interest in Southeast Asian art and the growing collector base in that region. For buyers, Millon offers several auction formats including traditional live auctions, online-only sales, and hybrid events that combine physical and digital bidding. The house is notable for applying degressive buyer's premium rates, meaning fees decrease as the hammer price increases. Buyer's premiums typically range from approximately 11.90 percent to 29.17 percent excluding tax, depending on the sale category and lot value. This tiered approach is designed to be more equitable for buyers of higher-value lots and is one of the few such structures among French auction houses. For sellers, the consignment process begins with a free appraisal, which can be conducted in person at any of the house's offices, at dedicated valuation days held throughout France, or through an online submission form on the Millon website. The house's 49 departments mean that virtually any item can find a specialist who understands its market and provenance. Seller commissions are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, as is standard in the French auction market, and depend on the value and nature of the consignment. Millon's areas of particular strength include several categories where it has built an especially strong reputation. The Asian art department is one of the most active in France, regularly offering Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Southeast Asian works. The historical memorabilia and militaria department is another standout, attracting collectors of Napoleonic-era items, royal ephemera, and military artifacts. The modern art department handles works by major twentieth-century artists, while the furniture and decorative arts departments cover everything from Louis XV commodes to Art Deco design. The house has also developed a notable presence in what might be called lifestyle auctions, including wine and spirits, luxury goods, vintage fashion, and classic automobiles. These categories have grown significantly in recent years and attract a younger, more diverse collector base than traditional fine art auctions. Online bidding at Millon is available through the house's own platform as well as through major aggregators such as Invaluable and Drouot Live. All lots are catalogued with detailed descriptions and high-resolution photographs, and condition reports are available upon request. The house also offers telephone bidding and absentee bids for those who cannot participate in real time. For those considering whether Millon is the right auction house for their needs, several factors stand out. The breadth of departments means exceptional specialist knowledge across an unusually wide range of categories. The degressive premium structure offers a cost advantage for higher-value purchases. The international network of offices and appraisal locations makes consigning convenient for sellers across Europe and beyond. And the sheer volume of sales, over 350 per year, means regular selling opportunities and a steady flow of fresh material for buyers. Frequently asked questions about Millon include what they sell, which encompasses virtually every category of fine art, decorative art, and collectible across 49 departments. Their fee structure features degressive buyer's premiums ranging from about 12 to 29 percent depending on lot value and category. To consign, sellers can request a free appraisal online, in person, or at one of many regional valuation days. Online bidding is fully supported through Millon's website and third-party platforms. What makes Millon stand out is its combination of nearly a century of heritage, unmatched departmental breadth among French independents, and a strong international expansion strategy.