Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits.
January 26th – London – Bonhams announces the appointment of Amayès Aouli as its Global Head of Wine and Spirits, based in France, with immediate effect. Amayès will lead a global team of experts located across the Americas, Asia, and Europe with an international network of offices and representatives in 22 countries. The new role, which unites wine and spirits, marks the company’s continued growth and global success.
Before joining Bonhams, Amayès was Head of Continental Europe & UK at Sotheby’s Wine where he successfully launched the Wine department in Continental Europe and managed more than 30 different auctions, breaking many records including the Biggest Charity Wine Sale in History ($32m), the 162nd Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction.
Prior to Sotheby’s, Amayès spent 10 years as an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan, where he played a key role in successfully developing the business across Europe. Amayès has also worked for various financial institutions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong.
In parallel to his business career, Amayès pursued his passion for wine, building his knowledge and relationships with collectors, producers, and merchants over a period of 20 years and graduated from WSET in both wines and spirits. A regular lecturer at conferences, Amayès speaks French, English, Spanish, and Italian. He has a master’s degree from EDHEC Business School, France and studied at Seoul National University, South Korea.
Richard Harvey MW, who established Bonhams Wine Department in 1997, will become Chairman of the department, ensuring continuity in Europe with long-standing clients. New senior roles in the United States, Europe and Asia will be announced in due course.
Bruno Vinciguerra, Bonhams Global CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome Amayès to Bonhams. His breadth of experience and wide range of relationships among collectors and producers will take the Wine and Spirits Department from strength to strength. The department is a strategic priority for us and Amayès will further our presence in the market with a global overview, establishing a new programme of wine and spirits sales around the world.”
Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits, commented: “I am honoured to join one of the most renowned auctioneers with its 230-year history and to be part of an unparalleled global network in the auction industry. In a fast-evolving market, I look forward to building on the success of Bonhams Wine & Spirits, one of the most trusted and reputable departments in the business and to further provide clients with access to the global market while providing the very best local support.”
About Bonhams Wine
Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine Department has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry and offers a wide range of fine wines. Auctions are held each year in United States, London, Hong Kong, France and Denmark.
About Bonhams Whisky and Spirits
Bonhams Whisky and Spirits Department pioneered whisky auctions and continues to offer rare and commemorative bottlings, ranging from Scotch whiskies including The Macallan, Glenfiddich and Bowmore to Japanese Whiskies such as Yamazaki, Karuizawa and Hanyu, as well as whiskies from Ireland and America. Bonhams holds multiple auctions a year in Edinburgh, Hong Kong, United States, France and London.
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement. More information here.
Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.
More information and highlights can be found HERE
For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
