World's oldest auction house celebrates 350 years

On February 27, Stockholms Auktionsverk celebrates 350 years, a historic anniversary for the world's oldest auction house. Established on the initiative of Baron Claes Rålamb – the Chief Justice of Stockholm and a pioneer in the auction world – who issued the founding auction chamber order in 1674.

“Over the years, Stockholms Auktionsverk has been a central marketplace, but also a meeting place, for the people of Stockholm and, more recently, for the rest of the world. We have made sure to find new owners for old things for 350 years and watched someone's unwanted possessions become someone else's beloved treasures. We have sold some of the country's finest art treasures, which not only represent great values in monetary terms but are valued even more highly in terms of cultural history. Works of art that manage to capture the soul of the Swedish people, art that it is an honor to spend time with. But it is also an equally important responsibility for us to manage for future generations,” says Victoria Svederberg, Senior Art Specialist at Stockholms Auktionsverk.

For three and a half centuries, Stockholms Auktionsverk has been a rallying point for extraordinary works of art and antiques – which in themselves constitute small pieces of history. When the auction house sold Anders Zorn's 'Omnibus' to the National Museum for 1.2 million SEK in 1981, it was the most expensive Swedish painting ever to go under the hammer. But by far, the most famous painting sold at the Stockholms Auktionsverk is Rembrandt's 'Kökspigan' from 1651. During the 18th century, it was owned by Eva Bielke, but after her death, it was sold at the Stockholms Auktionsverk in 1779, along with several other works of art, to a new famous owner – King Gustav III. Who was given the royal privilege of the first choice, selecting his purchases from the private art collection. In 1866, the painting 'Kökspigan' was transferred to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm where it remains today.

On December 17, 1733, Stockholms Auktionsverk itself was up for auction. The highest bid was made by Prime Minister Lukas Lutkens, an annual fee of 4 502 silver coins. The agreement signed between the state and the city of Stockholm included a provision that prohibited others from holding auctions in Stockholm; all private auctions had to be reported to the city's auction house. They could then issue permits and ensure that their staff were in place to conduct the auction. Anyone who violated this was punished with a fine of 100 silver coins – half of which was donated to the informer as a reward and the other half to the city’s less fortunate. The standard commission was also to be paid to the auction house. This auction monopoly was not abolished until 1972, and until then, all auctions within the city limits were conducted by Stockholms Auktionsverk.

Inside the doors at Nybrogatan 32 today, you can find the bell that has been ringing for auctions at Stockholms Auktionsverk for 310 years. From 1727, the bell was used to summon the public to the auction twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. After 1858, the number of days was doubled, and during the high season – now known as the spring and fall auction seasons – the hammer auctions could take place six days a week. The state ran the auction house between 1674 and 1790 from Själagårdsgatan 19 in the Old Town. In 1790, it moved to Polusska huset on Myntgatan and in 1836 to Birger Jarls torg on Riddarholmen, where it remained for over a century. In 1949, it moved to Bonnierhuset on Torsgatan, ten years later to Norrtullsgatan 6, and in 1977 to Stockholm city and Beridarebansgatan in the premises under Gallerian. In 2002, it moved into its current premises at Nybrogatan 32.

“Having been a vibrant marketplace for such a long time is not a small thing. With us, anyone can access history in a very unique way and even buy parts of it to take with you. This ancient sales method is characterized by its sincere validity, where objects change hands with full transparency, and the bidding is open to all. As specialists, we can estimate an item's value based on our knowledge and experience, but the market always decides. An item is not worth more than what the highest bidder is willing to pay for it, there and then. This is the nature of the auction,” concludes Victoria Svederberg.

All objects acquired at Stockholms Auktionsverk carry their own story, and to celebrate their 350 years in business, the auction house is bringing together some of the most influential objects that have passed through the auction halls since 1674. This is done in the form of an anniversary exhibition at Nybrogatan 32 from June 4-13 – with a carefully selected collection of artworks and objects ever sold by Stockholms Auktionsverk. To celebrate their common history, share the objects with the public and enjoy the cultural history they have helped to preserve.