{{Short description|Scandinavian fine art and antique auction house}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox company |name = Bukowskis |logo = Bukowskis logo.svg |caption = |type = |genre = |fate = |predecessor = |successor = |foundation = Stockholm, Sweden ({{Start date|1870}}) |founder = Henryk Bukowski |defunct = |location_city = |location_country = |location = |locations = |area_served = |key_people = |industry = Auctioneering |products = |production = |services = |revenue = |operating_income = |net_income = |aum = |assets = |equity = |owner = |num_employees = |parent = |divisions = |subsid = |homepage = http://www.bukowskis.com/ |footnotes = |intl = }} '''Bukowskis''' is a Nordic fine art and antique auction house established in 1870 by the Lithuanian nobleman Henryk Bukowski in Stockholm, Sweden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bukowskis.com/en/about|title=Bukowskis celebrates 150 years in 2020|website=Bukowskis|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> In 1979, an office was opened in Helsinki, Finland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bukowskis.com/en/150years|title=Bukowskis celebrates 150 years|website=Bukowskis|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> In 1991, Göran Gustafsson Kapital AB bought Bukowskis. The auction firm was sold 16 years later to the Lundin family in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|date=2007-03-17|last=Braconier|first=Fredrik|access-date=2020-09-28|issn=1101-2412|title=Lundin köper anrika Bukowskis|language=sv|newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet|url=https://www.svd.se/lundin-koper-anrika-bukowskis}}</ref>
The first major sale took place in 1873 and included one of King Karl XV's collections. One of the auction house's most spectacular auctions in the early 20th century was held after the great collector Christian Hammer, when parts of his collection were sold in five auctions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Svenska Dagbladets historiska arkiv |language=sv |work=Svenska Dagbladet |url=https://www.svd.se/arkiv/1905-08-31/6 |access-date=2023-03-07 |issn=1101-2412}}</ref>
In January 2022, Bukowskis was acquired by Bonhams for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-11 |title=Bonhams buys Nordic auction house Bukowskis |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/01/11/bonhams-buys-nordic-auction-house-bukowskis |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events}}</ref>
== History == Bukowskis was founded in Stockholm in 1870 by Henryk Bukowski, a Lithuanian nobleman and political émigré who had established his reputation in Sweden through his expertise in the art market and his connections with high-profile collectors and the royal family. The company quickly gained prominence, with its breakthrough in 1873 when it conducted the auction of King Karl XV's collection, a sale that created Bukowskis' status among Sweden's elite.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Auctions Bidding for Trade|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-08-tr-1356-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=1990-04-08|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en-US|first=Jennifer|last=Merin}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dom Aukcyjny Bukowskis {{!}} Instytut POLONIKA|url=https://polonika.pl/en/polonik-tygodnia/dom-aukcyjny-bukowskis|website=POLONIKA|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en}}</ref> Queen Josephine, the mother of King Charles XV, provided critical financial support in the early years, which contributed to the firm's growth and credibility.<ref name=":0" />
Throughout its early decades, Bukowskis developed close relationships with Swedish royalty, the aristocracy, and influential cultural patrons, and was appointed Purveyor to the Royal Court of Sweden, a distinction that reflected its reputation for quality and trustworthiness.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Bukowskis {{!}} Barnebys|url=https://www.barnebys.com/auctionhouses/29/bukowskis|website=Barnebys.com|date=2025-12-03|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en-US}}</ref> The company's operations were extended beyond paintings to include coins, books, and decorative arts.<ref name=":0" /> Bukowskis became a trusted intermediary in the dispersal of high-value collections and was well known for its role in selling royal estates, including items from Queen Dowager Josefina and Princess Eugénie.<ref>{{Cite web|title=News - Bukowskis presents a Section of Royal Provenance at Important Spring Sale|url=https://www.bukowskis.com/en/news/2552|website=Bukowskis|date=2025-11-21|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en}}</ref>
The auction house also made significant contributions to Sweden’s cultural life through its connections with major museums and cultural institutions. The 1920s saw Bukowskis secure exclusive rights to auction the celebrated etchings of Anders Zorn.<ref name=":1" />
Bukowskis has undergone several changes in ownership and leadership over its long history. After being sold by the Bukowski family at the turn of the 20th century, the company maintained continuous operations under various private owners. Notable transitions include its acquisition by Göran Gustafsson Kapital AB in 1991, the purchase by the Lundin family in 2007. In 2022, Bukowskis was acquired by Bonhams, integrating it into a global network of auction houses.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonhams Acquires Nordic Auction House Bukowskis|url=https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/10517-bonhams-acquires-nordic-auction-house-bukowskis|website=nationaljeweler.com|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonhams's big buying spree continue with acquisition of US auction house Skinner|url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/16/bonhamss-big-buying-spree-continue-with-acquisition-of-us-auction-house-skinner|website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events|date=2022-03-16|access-date=2025-11-27|language=en|first=Georgina|last=Adam}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.bukowskis.com/ Bukowskis] *[http://www.bukowskismarket.com/ Bukowskis Market]
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Category:Swedish auction houses Category:Companies based in Stockholm Category:Retail companies established in 1870 Category:Purveyors to the Court of Sweden Category:Swedish companies established in 1870 Category:19th-century establishments in Stockholm
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