Mission
Auctionet was founded in 2011 with the mission of helping auction houses adjust to the digital climate, transitioning from local hammer auctions to online auctions with global reach. Our new auction system enabled auction houses of all sizes to focus on their core mission, while we supported tasks like logistics, customer service, marketing, and finance. The online marketplace quickly became a hub for enthusiasts worldwide, bridging local auction houses with global buyers and combining the charm of physical auctions with online convenience.
Auctionet was born
Our journey began in Stockholm, Sweden, in the early 2000s when IT entrepreneur Niklas Söderholm met senior auctioneer Tom Österman. Their partnership combined a deep understanding of the traditional auction industry with expertise in Fine Art as well as digital ventures and online payments. Both shared a strong passion for art and antiques, understanding both the collectors' mindset and the auctioneers. The conditions were ideal for an innovative auction system as the digital shift pressured auction houses to adapt.
Expansion and Innovation
Starting on familiar ground in Sweden, Auctionet quickly expanded across Europe. Within its first decade, auction houses from the UK, Germany, and Spain were actively using our system, listing over 20,000 items daily for a growing community of 500,000 members. By 2024, these numbers had nearly doubled.
Acquisition of Stockholms Auktionsverk
In 2021, Auctionet acquired Stockholms Auktionsverk, the oldest auction house in the world, founded in 1674. This acquisition marked a significant step, providing our network with deep roots in the cultural heritage, while also gaining prominent buyers. Stockholms Auktionsverk, as well as several other auction houses on Auctionet, established the platform as a forum for worldwide Fine Art buyers.
Not only a marketplace
In 2020 we launched Auctionet Academy. Committed to educating the public, an initiative aimed at informing visitors about auction practices, item valuation, and art history. Housing a wide range of talent and knowledge from an esteemed set of specialists, Auctionet Academy has since arranged digital courses as well as physical events and loyalty programs, providing a meeting place for like-minded enthusiasts.
We’re also dedicated to sharing knowledge and inspiration through Auctionet Magazine, offering our customers insights on art, design, collecting, and trends in the global auction market.
Looking forward with the “Continuous Online” Model
We continually innovate our platform, welcoming more auction houses to expand with our "Continuous Online" model and traditional hammer auctions. This approach enables seamless, uninterrupted bidding, enhancing the buyer experience and helping auction houses adopt modern practices while preserving their traditional roots.
Looking forward, Auctionet continues to expand our offerings across more markets, remaining focused on combining heritage with technology.
Are you an auction house that wants to know more? Read more about our auction system on Auctionet Growth.
Unique Sales and Milestones
Auctionet has hosted a variety of notable auctions since 2011. These are some of our proud moments:
A world record for Alvar Aalto’s designs was set at Stockholms Auktionsverk in Helsinki in 2022, with a remarkable sale price of €121,000.
The record price for an IKEA piece was set in 2021 when Stadsauktion Sundsvall sold Bengt Ruda’s “Cavelli”-armchair for €13,219.
In 2024, a 1962 edition of Marvel Comics' 'The Incredible Hulk sold for €39,857 at Stockholms Auktionsverk in Helsingborg, setting a new record for comic books in the Swedish market.
A Vietnamese Mandarin cap from the Nguyễn Dynasty found a new home with an avid collector in 2021 via Balclis in Barcelona. The auction ended at €600,000 and the hat was delivered with extra care to a home far away from Spain.
In 2022, landscape artist Helmer Osslund set a new personal record at Stockholms Auktionsverk Nybrogatan, with one of his works achieving a remarkable hammer price of €700,313, marking a world record for his art.
The Avicii Collection. In October 2024, Stockholms Auktionsverk Nybrogatan held "The Avicii Collection – A Charity Auction," featuring 267 personal items from the late DJ Tim "Avicii" Bergling. All items were donated by his family, with all proceeds going to The Tim Bergling Foundation, which supports youth mental health and suicide prevention.
Ceramics by Hans Coper and Lucie Rie far exceeded expectations at a successful auction at Lawrences Auctioneers in 2022, fetching several times their estimated value.
A Zündapp KS750 motorcycle reached over €59,590 at Sajab Auctions in 2023.
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran donated personal items to support St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest in Suffolk, UK. Bishop & Miller Auctioneers had the honour of hosting the charity auction in 2024, raising over £50,000 for the two organisations.
A new world record for Halmstadgruppen’s Stellan Mörner made headlines when a piece achieved a hammer price of €122,993 at Halmstads Auktionskammare.