The Sotheby's Holiday Gift Guide

F or those looking to travel in style, Sotheby’s sales have the perfect gifts, including a Louis Vuitton wardrobe, Gucci saddle and Leica x Hermès MP Camera. Items range from small – the first book on surfing – to large – a Rolls-Royce Phantom that will be custom wrapped by Contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas – to the purely experiential – an exclusive stay at Belmond le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, one of the UK’s most cherished manor house hotels.

A ll the top designers feature in Sotheby’s auctions of handbags, accessories, jewelry and watches, but if Chanel and René Boivin aren’t for you, perhaps items with exceptional star-studded provenance are. On offer are Carrie Fisher’s watch, John Lennon’s sunglasses and even a fan gifted to Queen Marie-Antoinette.

F or those who find joy in curating their own domestic sanctuary, examples of exquisite 19th and 20th century design will prove the perfect gift. Sculptural masterpieces from Alberto Giacometti, François-Xavier Lalanne and others are not only sought-after by collectors – these works are the key to transforming any abode into a welcome home.

D espite being small in scale, miniature items are known to bring a wealth of happiness and delight. Whether gifting a gilded compact, a gem-set lipstick holder or Charles Dickens’s personal mother-of-pearl fruit knife – these small but precious cadeaux will be treasured for years to come.

I n the Baroque era, cabinets of curiosities (or Kunstkammers) were ubiquitous across Europe. Rulers, artists and nobility alike delighted in exotic discoveries – and accumulated wondrous objects to revere at home. The Kunstkammer of artist Albrecht Dürer displayed an assortment of exotica, including animal horns, coral, artworks and other scientific curiosities. Follow Dürer’s lead and accumulate your very own cabinet of wonders.

I n search of a manageable menagerie? Here, find a panoply of animals to suit your every zoological desire – from Audubon fauna that rule the sky – to towering bears that make your heart beat a bit faster; no matter the species – the below creatures will enliven your habitat. So, step out into the great outdoors and uncover the world’s most extraordinary wildlife with these natural selections.

D iscover the ideal gifts for that one person on your list who always plays to win. Odes to the history of sport, rare modern design works and coveted pop culture memorabilia – including select works from a galaxy far, far away – will bring any game room to the next level.

T oast to the new year with a case of wine from Sotheby’s Own Label Collection, or chic champagne that lasts forever, courtesy Anne-Marie of France. Further impress guests with coasters and a François-Xavier Lalanne rhinoceros condiment holder, both from the collection of Marc Jacobs, or take your party on the go with a Louis Vuitton cocktail bar and humidor customized trunk.