Consolidating Heritage: The Merger of Two Historic Auction Houses

Two renowned Swedish auction houses have joined forces, establishing a new benchmark as a major player in the industry. At the same time, one of the most significant branches is being revitalised in its hometown of Uppsala.

At the end of June came the news that shook the auction world – a historic agreement had been reached between two of the Nordic region’s largest and most esteemed auction houses. The deal has now been finalised, with the world’s oldest auction house, Stockholms Auktionsverk, acquiring its former rival, Uppsala Auktionskammare – a landmark event in Swedish auction history and a milestone in the industry’s own chronicles.

Stockholms Auktionsverk was founded in 1674 by Claes Rålamb, which makes it the oldest auction house in the world.

Founded in 1731, Uppsala Auktionskammare has established itself as one of the Nordic region’s most distinguished and successful auction houses. Known for its high-quality Fine Art auctions and exceptional expertise, the house has maintained offices and showrooms in Stockholm, Uppsala, Gothenburg, and Malmö.

The roots of Stockholms Auktionsverk reach even further back, founded in 1674 – a legacy that has earned them the title of the world’s oldest auction house. Today, it holds a leading position in the market with a total of twelve branches across Sweden, Finland, and Germany. It is home to Sweden’s largest team of specialists and a wide range of curated auctions – held online and in the grand auction hall at Nybrogatan 32 in Stockholm. In 2024, Stockholms Auktionsverk reported a record 11 percent growth, and in 2025, the company continued to expand in both volume and profit.

When Long-Term Rivals Join Forces

The acquisition of Uppsala Auktionskammare was finalised at the end of August, bringing the two houses together under the name Stockholms Auktionsverk. Anticipating the merger, Cecilia Gave, CEO of Stockholms Auktionsverk Group, praised the compatibility of the two distinguished organisations:

Rivals Turned Colleagues. CEO of Stockholms Auktionsverk, Cecilia Gave, and Superintendent Knut Knutson.

“I am very pleased to welcome Uppsala Auktionskammare to our group. Their entrepreneurial drive, strong client relationships, and Fine Art expertise are important cornerstones as we now create the industry’s most attractive auction offering for both Swedish and international clients. At the same time, we retain the advantages of our extensive digital scale and benefit from having the largest network of branches in the country, with unrivalled expertise. This new era is not only a milestone for us, but for our entire industry.”

Beloved auction profile Knut Knutson – widely recognised as one of the original and most prominent experts on SVT’s Antikrundan – has been the principal owner of Uppsala Auktionskammare since 1996. With the merger, he now becomes Chief Curator of Stockholms Auktionsverk and co-owner in the parent company Auctionet.

A National Treasure. Beloved TV-personality Knut Knutson is now SuperIntendent at Stockholms Auktionsverk and a co-owner of Auctionet.

“Sweden’s two most illustrious auction houses are joining forces and writing history together – it’s truly fantastic! I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments that Uppsala Auktionskammare’s remarkable team has achieved over the years, and I look forward to reaching entirely new heights together with Stockholms Auktionsverk,” says Knut Knutson.

A New Chapter for a Historic Uppsala Institution

However, one exception was made in this historic acquisition: the local Uppsala branch of Uppsala Auktionskammare will continue to operate outside the Stockholms Auktionsverk organisation – under new ownership by Auctionet. Leading the way is Clara Kling, who has been appointed the CEO of the new Uppsala Auktionskammare in Uppsala. She began working at the company in 2011 and, for the past three years, has served as Curator and Head of the Uppsala office.

Clara Kling, CEO of Uppsala Auktionskammare

“Stepping into this position means taking on great responsibility. My former colleague, Magnus Bexhed, often compared Uppsala Auktionskammare itself to a sought-after antique – something you hold in trust for a time before passing it on to the next generation. Now it is my turn to carry the banner and take my place in a lineage that stretches all the way back to 1731 – it feels incredibly exciting,” says Clara Kling.

For the past four years, the Uppsala office on Östra Ågatan has only offered consignments, collections, and valuations – while the cataloguing and processing have been handled in Stockholm, where the major exhibitions and Fine Art auctions also were held. Now the people of Uppsala celebrate the return of their auction house, with all functions gathered in one place and a renewed focus on the local audience.

“Uppsala Auktionskammare is a cultural institution that means a great deal to the city, not least because of its long history. We have been here since the early 18th century, and today we are seen as an institution in our own right – something people are proud of and have built traditions around. Many start their weekends by meeting friends for coffee and attending a viewing. Uppsala is a deeply cultural city, and therefore culture is central to its residents’ lives. As an auction house, we have never truly disappeared – but from now on we will be present in a different way, and it is wonderful to see how much our clients appreciate that.”

On September 26, the revitalised Uppsala Auktionskammare will publish its Opening Aucition at Auctionet, with close to a hundred selected pieces, closing at October 6. Welcome to explore.