What Does It Take to Be an Auctioneer at Sotheby’s? | Meet the Auctioneer: Phyllis Kao

Almost by definition, there is no role more central to an Auction House than that of an Auctioneer. Despite being the most publicly facing individuals at Sotheby’s, their jobs are often a bit of a mystery. How is it, for instance, that one becomes an auctioneer in the first place? What kind of education and training is required? How do auctioneers prepare for their auctions? In this video, Phyllis Kao takes us behind the rostrum to reveal what being an auctioneer at Sotheby’s is really like.
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[@bonwatcher]

I think this is why people gravitate to watch these auctions on video, it's an art form in itself. Little parts of a conductor, a performer, a psychologist, a businessman and even a comedian, but always to the point of getting that next higher bid. It is entertaining to watch the different auctioneers and their styles when they do their thing.

[@hetoako]

love how she commands the room with grace, elegance and quiet confidence that stems from a deep understanding and appreciation for her work ❤

[@clowicous]

I absolutely love videos about jobs just because coming from a regular middle class family who’ve all worked the same jobs over and over again from retail to fast food and even nannying I don’t realize how much other jobs there are out there in the world and how much work is out into it. I’ve heard of an auctioneer but not once thought how it works, pretty cool stuff~

[@LM-ch8rh]

i love your comment and share your curiosity about things.

[@saturnianali8r]

Something very interesting is to watch her running an auction and compare that to auctioneers from the channel- Great Big Story's "Perfect Your Speed Talking at This Auction School" or Vice News' "What The Hell Are Livestock Auctioneers Actually Saying?". Totally different atmosphere and way of talking. They have a rolling chant and she goes a lot slower and clearer.

[@cbh4166]

@@saturnianali8r yes! I was expecting her to speak quickly/rhythmically like the southern style, I had no idea about this style

[@4ever4given01]

@@saturnianali8rYeah, interesting to consider how different their target audience is.

[@user-yn4xc8kt3i]

Retail, fast food and nannying are all working class jobs? Unless you were working in management

[@JrsBoatRocker]

The hair thing for her was spot on 👏🏾 it’s become her uniform. She presents totally different off the clock with her hair down. This was very interesting to see.

[@STKTSTKT]

What an amazing speaker. She oozes with charisma, gravitas

[@msperkins8310]

The HAIR is EVERYTHING 💕

[@beckwilde]

Having her being Taiwanese is even more inspiring, she's so awesome

[@iliketowatch1978]

I had no idea! So illuminating for only 6 mins. PS: Phyllis you did that girl, continue to slay.

[@Foxinthetree]

I gotta say the team did a great job with this. Music, editing, everything.

[@chantalchar]

She is incredible. She inspires me with her composure, humor, and charisma

[@PodcastUFO]

I was there at the beginning with you, Phyllis! so happy to see things working out sway, you’re a gift to the auction world!

[@timuryorkart]

It's a joy to watch Phyllis Kao stir the energy in the room, she is among the best! Add to that, the art direction and production quality of the video is fantastic.

[@4ever4given01]

Wow, she is definitely charismatic. Loved this video because it reminds me that there really are a lot of interesting jobs out there beyond the standard set of healthcare and high-tech jobs my family recommends to me.

[@leminoade]

no idea what i'm doing here but this is lit. love her

[@silentstarr5]

Greetings from Toronto. Phyliss Kao and Helena Newman, her colleague at Sotheby's, are wonderful auctioneers. They add a sense of style, sophistication, gravitas and an added hint of levity at times. The one element of the video left out was the theatrical and dramatic art of the rostrum lean to each side. Oliver has that nailed to perfection. I just started watching the auction videos and appreciate the artist profiles which precede the auction. It helps to place context when the art arrives for its sale moment. Listening to Helena and the amazing international team discuss the art is bliss. I would love to be invited to be in the auction showroom just once. Add to bucket list.

[@regularlyirregular8876]

I loved this already and then I spotted her Kaweco fountain pen. She's pure class, what a talent!

[@LifeofGie_613]

She is so elegant. 🫶

[@sanchari.c]

What a wonderful personality.

[@musiclovingchick6]

What a fascinating human. Her way of talking just made me want to learn more

[@jujub4553]

Ooh loved this piece! So fascinating! I would love to attend an auction and just observe

[@cu7695]

The auctioneer is great and Sotheby's looks like great place to work if you're okay with ignoring how many of the artifacts get stolen from other countries to magically appear there. Sotheby's literally created a hidden industry of robbers who steal artifacts well after colonization

[@NoNameNumberTwo]

Cool story, bro.

[@MiniM69]

And, how much of the work of great masters will never see the light of day again.

[@andrearobinson7856]

Phyllis! I just came upon this by chance. I’m glad I could see you in your element. Stunning

[@ILoveWoolerbear]

Sounds and seems fascinating! What a lively and powerful position to have! I'd like to know how you deal with people who are difficult to work with.

[@JS-te2vj]

That's the home tour that would make Millions on youtube!

[@Soulkal1979]

It’s crazy how much money people have and the ease in which they spend it… every aspect of their life is elevated

[@hasellnutt]

Loved this video, nicely done.

[@ANEWCreationLimited]

Very, very interesting. Now I'm going to see when the next auctions are at Sotheby's Hong Kong ❤

[@GabiMiko]

so inspiring!!! love it!!!

[@SabzeeS]

She’s so brilliant

[@Faze-2]

This was very well done

[@jarretyoshida883]

What an amazing video seeing a pro do what they love. Great insights to a usually secret world.

[@alfredwilkinson6024]

Loved this!

[@InspirationLabs-ff8vf]

So charming, graceful, and intelligent ❤

[@cherchang5191]

She’s so talented and charismatic

[@McKelT]

She’s very good at her job! You can tell she’s established the brand of who she is and has a certain charisma at what she does that is very engaging.

[@dougholliday467]

And with grace.

[@SUMLIGHTZ]

Nice to know about a world I’ll never be able to touch

[@jarodmoses1126]

@sotheby’s I pray and hope I can work for a prestige auction house such as yours! And I’ve been finding antiques with my family since 1993! Not terrific but giving a chance I can amazing you with what I was self taught!

[@SinKimishima]

She has class

[@annacanada1592]

Such a mesmerizing and intelligent woman. I am in awe!

[@zonuphaon]

Here I thought I was gonna hear people talking at a mile a minute.

[@MarkT1700]

That only happens at a low class auction lmao

[@nejafeja]

Really enjoyed the insights

[@ViyabiSirathanongsil]

She is so inspiring make me want to put in more work so I could one day become a successful person in my traits too

[@MelissaRae1975]

I wish there was more behind the scenes and info shared....While she is well spoken, educated and has a gorgeous presence about her it was a let down of a vid.

[@joannaoseguera5]

facts, i needed more of her!

[@rolandmosh5641]

Please post more of such videos

[@dougholliday467]

Thank you so much for your presentation. I have often wondered about this interesting topic for many years now. Sotheby's gives me the rush needed to keep me engaged. How shall I say it?, "others do not." (L0L) Sincerely and best, Mr. Holliday at 81+ years old. (Sentebay)

[@atty.fernandog.madarcos8724]

Good content 🔥

[@SaSa-fs8sb]

Communication skills , eloquence in English language. Linguistics of the highest calibre

[@KACDWFCD]

👑K👑A👑O👑

[@JustKiddingNYC]

I am most fascinated by the bay area accent that has just a little bit of RP in it

[@krystalh8372]

spot on!

[@5710fpilot]

She's amazing, having been to auctions, it's imperative to be personal. I'm shocked the amount of money in that room, on metal chairs. 😂😂😂

[@user-er6gk1wi8y]

are the transitions ai-generated?

[@sienabrown2612]

She is SO classy oh my gosh

[@Rantsack]

High end Auction: We have a stunning painting by Leonardo da Vinci for $3.5 million dollars. Price starts at $3 million, anyone? $3 million dollars. Oh! We have bidder! $3.5 million. (Then sip on tea with pinky out) We have $4 million. Going once, twice and we’re sold! Thank you good sir/maam! Normal Auction: We got this horse seat made by a famous horse breeder Sir Horse and the price starts at Shtfjejcrifgifr 200 dhibesgjjvd 250 gircbfscyjvd 275 SchtdvujgrDCJDHGUFDHX SOLD!

[@grokeffer6226]

That's a bargain for a da Vinci!! 😊

[@dennismorris7573]

Cool.

[@Tygearianus]

Don't ask where it came from.

[@s0kulite]

超讚

[@lyshai.1720]

I'm not sure about this

[@dongiogarciasantiago2864]

1520 Sat 11/05/24 excellent 👍🥳👌👏

[@dickiewongtk]

First of all, you have to love the smell of money. A lot of people don’t.

[@anthonyxibarrax]

😎

[@jordana5570]

Is this the modern day transatlantic accent

[@josiejung6751]

Taiwanese keep the thousands years of traditional Chinese culture, that is an internal strength people cannot see. That part of our cultura has been destroyed in mainland

[@SaSa-fs8sb]

There is a transaction taking place , a buyer and seller , so it's finance , investment decisions ,and the dynamic of a market . Musicians usually talk a lot of crap.

[@jane_doughnut]

What a stunning way to showcase how sad the world is. Millions for objects while millions starve to death.

[@MsPinkCrusader]

Stolen artifacts

[@SaSa-fs8sb]

Nah nothing to do with being a conductor, conductor is an insignificant job in the grand scheme of things .