Charles O'Brien
Director, Head of Department
Charles O'Brien graduated from St Andrews University with a Masters degree in the History of Art in 1982. He worked for Sotheby's for nine years and then joined Bonhams as Head of the 19th century pai…
19th Century & Orientalist Paintings
Bonhams 19th Century & Orientalist Paintings auctions offer a range of pictures by important 19th and early 20th century British and European artists. We hold six auctions a year in London, including an annual sale of Orientalist Art in October. In addition, we participate in numerous multi-category themed sales in London, Paris and Los Angeles.
The market for 19th century art has performed consistently well in recent years, with Orientalist art in particular seeing significant growth. Our carefully curated auctions bring together leading artists alongside lesser-seen names, attracting global interest from private collectors, trade clients and institutions. We enjoy a higher sell-through rate than our major competitors and our sales often achieve world auction record prices, a recent example being Osman Hamdi Bey's Young Woman Reading.
Buying and selling 19th century and Orientalist paintings at Bonhams
Bonhams 19th Century & Orientalist Paintings department has specialists and representatives across the UK, Europe and the United States. Our experienced, friendly and approachable team are on hand to assist you with all aspects of buying and selling at auction, or offer a tailored service to meet your particular requirements through Bonhams Private Sales.
With offices and representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams gives buyers and sellers access to a global network of collectors and unparalleled marketing resources to achieve the highest price and level of client satisfaction possible. Contact a specialist directly for more information or submit your item online for a free auction estimate.
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Thinking of selling? Get a free auction estimate by submitting your item online or contacting your local Bonhams. With specialists based in towns and cities worldwide, we are your local auction house.
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View profile of Charles O'Brien
Peter Rees
Director, Head of Sales
Peter Rees is a Director and Head of Sale for Bonhams Victorian and 19th Century European Art Department, which sells a rich and diverse range of paintings by the leading British and European artists …
Thomas Seaman
Specialist
Thomas Seaman is a Specialist for 19th Century Paintings at Bonhams New Bond Street in London, working on the twice yearly 19th Century Paintings sale and the annual Orientalist Art sale. After studyi…
Veronique Scorer
Head of Department
Veronique Scorer was appointed Head of Pictures, Knightsbridge, in 2009 and loves the diversity of this busy, vibrant saleroom. Sales of Modern British & Irish Art, Prints & Multiples, British & Europ…
Robin Starr
Vice President | American & European Works of Art
Robin S.R. Starr is Vice President and Director of American & European Works of Art at Bonhams Skinner, one of the company's most important departments. She manages a staff of specialists who appraise…
Alistair Laird
Department Director
Alistair Laird is Director of 19th Century Pictures and consults for the Marine Pictures auctions. The highlight of his career was discovering a lost painting of Richmond Hill by the American artist J…
Richard Hopkinson
Head of Department
Richard Hopkinson is Northern region valuer of paintings, prints and maps. Richard has worked in the art world since 1980 and joined the picture department of Phillips North West in 1994. In 2001, Ric…
May Matthews
Managing Director, Scotland
May Matthews is Specialist and Head of Sale for Scottish Art and Managing Director of Bonhams Scotland. She has a particular interest in East Lothian artists, such as W.D. McKay, Robert Noble, Sir Wil…
Robert Smith
Regional Director, South East
View profile of Robert Smith
Emma Sykes
Regional Manager, West of England
View profile of Emma Sykes
Emma Dalla Libera
Head of Italy
View profile of Emma Dalla Libera
Stefania Lumetta
Associate Specialist
View profile of Stefania Lumetta
Kieran O'Boyle
Representative
View profile of Kieran O'Boyle
Johann Leibbrandt
Representative
Johann Leibbrandt, Bonhams Senior Representative in Madrid, has been with the company since 2004. He read Art History followed by an MA in Restoration and Rehabilitation of Spanish Patrimony at Complu…
Morgan Martin
Head of Department
Morgan Martin is Head of Department for American Art at Bonhams in New York. Joining Bonhams in 2021, Morgan has over a decade of auction experience, with an emphasis in 19th and 20th century American…
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Upcoming auctions
19th Century and British Impressionist Art
27 September, 14:00 BST | London, New Bond Street
Open for bidding
View 110 lotsBritish and European Art Online
18 – 28 September | London, Knightsbridge
Open for bidding
View 125 lots
British and European Art
15 November | London, Knightsbridge
Coming soon
Auction detailsCornelis Paulus van Pauwvliet: An Important Dutch Collection
21 November | London, New Bond Street
Open for bidding
View 211 lots
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