Editor’s Note
This week’s auction calendar bridges major international sales with Italy’s own schedule, offering a diverse mix of design, books, and collectibles across multiple cities from January 15-21, 2026.
From January 15 to 21, 2026, Italian and international cities will host numerous auctions dedicated to design, books, frames, and collectibles. This week marks a transitional phase between the start of major international sales and the Italian calendar.
The historic Libreria Antiquaria Gonnelli in Florence kicks off the national scene. Starting Thursday, January 15, the Tuscan auction house opens its season with Time Auction No. 66 dedicated to books, autographs, and manuscripts. This online-only sale, running until Tuesday, January 20, features a refined selection of printed volumes and historical documents. Attention is also on Cambi Casa d’Aste in Genoa, which continues its general antiquities sale until January 22.
In chronological order, note the closing of a sale by Fabiani Arte. The Tuscan house is holding its first scheduled sale of modern and contemporary art for 2026, with the virtual gavel falling on Tuesday, January 20.
The Italian week culminates on Wednesday, January 21, with the return of in-person auctions: Il Ponte Casa d’Aste opens the doors of its Via Pitteri location in Milan for the first round of its furniture, paintings, objects, books, and Oriental art auction. This large-scale, three-day event starting on the 21st traditionally attracts a large audience due to the variety and quantity of lots, ranging from classical antiquities to eclectic collectibles.
Across the border, the schedule is equally packed, with industry giants alternating luxury sales and discovery sessions. In New York, Christie’s remains active with a series of online auctions. From December 19 to January 27: COLLECTOR/CONNOISSEUR: The Max N. Berry Collections American Art Online Sale and COLLECTOR/CONNOISSEUR: The Max N. Berry Collections Monotypes by Maurice Brazil Prendergast Online Sale. Two other auctions, The American Collector: Including Property of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd and Selections From The Collection of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter and Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Featuring a Library Collection of Screaming Eagle: New York Edition Online, begin on January 13 and end on January 27.
Sotheby’s, for its part, plays a leading role on three fronts: In New York, The Gem Drop: January, an online sale dedicated to jewelry and gemstones, ends on Thursday, January 15. From January 15 to 19 (also in New York), there is the NBA Auctions Weekly: 2026 NBA Cup. A day later, on Friday, January 16, the house’s London office launches Contemporary Discoveries, a week-long online auction featuring works by emerging and established artists.
On January 15, Dorotheum is active in Vienna with sales of Jugendstil and 20th Century Applied Art, as well as a second catalog of high jewelry.
Bonhams, which organizes a series of thematic auctions in several European cities, is also very active. Among the more curious sales is Layered Living: Textiles, Rugs and Objects on Thursday, January 15, organized by the Swedish office (Bukowskis), closing on Friday, January 16, with the Statement Pieces – Lighting sale dedicated to designer lighting.
Between January 18 and 21, Bonhams offers a rich series of auctions in Nordic countries, with objects of very different styles and types. On January 18, there will be sales of coins in Denmark, paintings and Japanese artworks – winter edition in Sweden, and Nordic design in Finland, including the lot dedicated to Paavo Tynell. On January 19, paintings, furniture, and various objects will be on offer in Denmark, while in Sweden, collecting enthusiasts can explore The Collector’s World – Part One.
For lovers of Scandinavian design and modern art, the date to remember is Tuesday, January 20, when the auction house will hold its modern art and design sale.
