World’s Oldest Auction House Stockholms Auktionsverk Acquires Uppsala Auktionskammare
Cecilia Gave and Knut Knutson
Stockholms Auktionsverk, founded in 1674, has announced the acquisition of Uppsala Auktionskammare, founded in 1731 with offices and showrooms in Stockholm, Uppsala, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Stockholms Auktionsverk, operating across 10 locations in Sweden, Finland and Germany, is the world’s oldest auction house and home to Sweden’s largest team of specialists.
“This is a historic day for the Swedish and Nordic auction market, and I’m thrilled to welcome Uppsala Auktionskammare to our group," said Cecilia Gave, CEO of Stockholms Auktionsverk. "Their entrepreneurial spirit, strong client relationships and top-tier Fine Art expertise will be key pillars as we build Sweden’s most attractive auction offering for local and international customers together."
Cecilia Gave will serve as CEO of both Stockholms Auktionsverk and Uppsala Auktionskammare which will merge under the Stockholms Auktionsverk name at the end of August. The Uppsala Auktionskammare brand will continue to live on in its hometown of Uppsala.
In connection with the transaction, Sofie Bexhed and Magnus Bexhed, both co-owners of Uppsala Auktionskammare, have decided to leave the company. Magnus Bexhed has been active in Uppsala Auktionskammare for 19 years and has been the company's CEO since 2011.
“This feels positive and completely logical and Uppsala Auktionskammare could not be in better hands," said Magnus Bexhed. "I’ve lived and breathed this company for many years and loved every minute of it, but I also want the chance to explore something new in life outside the auction world,” says Magnus Bexhed.
Auction personality Knut Knutson, majority owner of Uppsala Auktionskammare since 1996, will take on the role of Chief Curator in the new organization and shareholder in the group.
