Bonhams Skinner

Update, September 2026: Skinner was acquired by Bonhams in 2022 and now trades as Bonhams Skinner from its gallery in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

About Skinner Auctioneers

Skinner Auctioneers is one of the most respected auction institutions in the northeastern United States, combining a half-century of New England expertise with the global reach of its parent company, Bonhams. The firm was founded in 1971 by Robert W. Skinner Jr. in Bolton, Massachusetts, on the belief that New England's deep roots in the arts, antiques trade, and centuries of collecting history deserved a world-class auction house of its own.

History

Robert Skinner was a passionate dealer and auctioneer who began conducting sales in the 1960s before formally incorporating the business in 1971. He believed the extraordinary concentration of early American furniture, decorative arts, folk art, and fine paintings held in New England estates represented a collecting heritage rivaled by few places on earth. Under his leadership the firm grew quickly into one of the most active auction houses on the East Coast, and by 1978 it had opened a prominent Boston gallery.

Following Robert Skinner's death in 1984, the firm continued to flourish under successive leadership, expanding its specialist departments and broadening its collector base well beyond New England. Today Skinner holds over sixty auctions per year across more than twenty collecting categories, making it one of the most prolific auction houses in North America by volume. In March 2022, Skinner was acquired by the London-based Bonhams and now operates as Bonhams Skinner, marrying Skinner's regional expertise and consignor relationships with Bonhams' worldwide client network and marketing infrastructure.

Specialist departments

Skinner's departments span a wide array of collecting areas:

• American Furniture and Decorative Arts — museum-quality Colonial, Federal, and Victorian pieces, New England painted furniture, silver by Paul Revere and other early American silversmiths, and important folk art
• Fine Jewelry — signed pieces by Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels, plus important gemstones and estate collections
• Fine Art — American and European paintings, prints, and sculpture, with depth in Boston School painters, American Impressionists, and marine art
• Asian Art — a landmark 2014 sale of an Imperial Qing dynasty fencai vase realized $24.7 million, at the time the highest price ever achieved for a Chinese artwork at auction in the United States
• Oriental Rugs and Carpets, European Furniture and Decorative Arts, Clocks, Watches, and Scientific Instruments, Toys and Dolls, and Fine Musical Instruments including rare violins

Selling with Skinner

Prospective sellers can submit items for evaluation through the website, by visiting one of the galleries, or by scheduling an in-home appointment for larger collections and estates. Specialists provide complimentary auction estimates and advise on sale placement, working with individual collectors, estate attorneys, trust officers, and institutions alike. Seller commissions are negotiated case by case depending on the value and nature of the consignment.

Buying and bidding

Buyers pay a tiered buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, consistent with Bonhams' global schedule; it typically starts at 27.5 percent on the first portion of the hammer price and steps down on higher amounts. All lots can be previewed in person at the gallery and online, with high-resolution photography and condition reports.

Online bidding is integrated into every sale through the Bonhams platform as well as third-party services such as Invaluable and Bidsquare, and absentee and telephone bidding are also available for all catalogued sales.

Locations

Skinner's gallery and saleroom are located in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, at 236 Clarendon Street. The firm also maintains facilities in Marlborough, Massachusetts, for storage, shipping coordination, and additional sale events. The firm employs specialists with advanced degrees and decades of market experience; detailed cataloguing, thorough provenance research, and transparent condition reporting distinguish Skinner among regional auction houses.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Skinner Auctioneers founded?

Skinner was founded in 1971 by Robert W. Skinner Jr. in Bolton, Massachusetts, building on sales he had already been conducting since the 1960s.

What does Skinner specialize in?

Skinner holds more than sixty auctions a year across over twenty collecting categories, including American furniture and decorative arts, fine jewelry, fine art, Asian art, oriental rugs, clocks and scientific instruments, toys and dolls, and musical instruments.

Can I bid online at Skinner?

Yes. Bidders can take part in real time through the Bonhams online platform as well as third-party services such as Invaluable and Bidsquare, and absentee and telephone bidding are available for every catalogued sale.