Description of the attraction
The oldest auction house, Dorotheum, was founded in 1707 by order of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I as a state pawnshop for the needs of the population in a difficult financial situation. At first, only a narrow circle of buyers was allowed to sell things that their owners could not redeem. In 1785, the pawnshop became an open institution for everyone to buy pledged items. 80 years after its foundation, the pawnshop moved to the center of Vienna, to the building of the former monastery of St. Dorothea, after which it received its current name - Dorotheum. The company quickly gained momentum and grew rich, so in 1901 a magnificent elegant building was built on the site of the former monastery, designed by the architect Ritter von Förster. The inauguration ceremony of the Dorotheum was attended by the emperor himself. The renovated premises fully met the needs of a large auction house; the entire Viennese elite began to gather in the exhibition halls.
Since 1978, Dorotheum has opened free sales areas, bringing in even more potential buyers. The halls display objects of art, antiques, jewelry. Trading in these halls is ongoing, without reference to auctions. Today, the first place is occupied by auctions at which paintings of the 19th century are exhibited, as well as works of contemporary artists. Traditionally, glass, porcelain and sculptures of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy are of great interest.
Since 2001, Dorotheum has passed into the hands of private owners who, with all responsibility and love, continue the traditions of the auction house.
Currently, Dorotheum has branches and representative offices, both in Austria and in other countries of the world: in Italy, Japan, Czech Republic, Germany. The record for the Dorotheum sales results was 2007, when total sales amounted to 123 million euros.
