Michael Lake

Michael Warwick Lake MIRCS is Head of Sculpture and Works of Art at Bonhams and is based in our Knightsbridge saleroom in London. Michael started his career in the auction world at Phillips Auctioneers in 1992 after completing a degree in Fine Art Valuation at Southampton Solent University. Following Phillips merger with Bonhams in 2002, Michael joined the works of art and sculpture department where his passion and expertise for the subject was honed.

With over thirty years in the business, Michale has played a key role in the growth of the department and has overseen many achievements, including the hugely successful sale of the bronze figure of St George by Sir Alfred Gilbert which sold for a world record price of £1,222,750 in 2020. Other highlights include the sale of a marble bust of 'The Ideal Christ' by the American sculptor Hiram Powers' which sold for a record figure of £247,000. Michael was also responsible for researching and cataloguing of the works of art and sculpture section in the Rau Sale of artworks which Bonhams sold held in aid of UNICEF in 2013.

Michael oversees seven specialist sales a year in London as well as advising Bonhams global network of salerooms in the US, Australia and Scotland and is a member of the Fine Art Division of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Michael not only has an enviable knowledge on the subject of European works of art and sculpture, but has connections with museums around the world and has worked on some of the most important collections both institutional and in private hands.