EP. 136 [EN] Mastering the Auction World: Phyllis Kao on Selling Dinosaurs, Commanding the Room, and Female Artists to Watch

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Phyllis Kao｜Vice President in Client Strategy at Sotheby’s New York

Phyllis Kao has been an auctioneer for 15 years. Currently gracing the roster at Sotheby’s New York, Phyllis oversees a broad array of sales each season. From high profile Marquee Modern and Contemporary Evening Auctions to the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese Art and antiquities sales, to the diverse fields of Wine, Modern Design, Jewelry, Watches, and Natural History – she navigates the nuances of each category. Formerly at the helm as the Head of Auctioneers for a prestigious London auction house, Phyllis has not only orchestrated sales of global significance but has also imparted her knowledge by training auctioneers on an international scale.

Phyllis’s skills also find purpose in the nonprofit sector. Outside of Sotheby’s, she dedicates her time and craft to overseeing sales that benefit various philanthropic organizations globally. What sets her apart is not just her remarkable career, but her ability to seamlessly conduct auctions in multiple languages. Whether in English, Mandarin, or French, Phyllis’s multilingual prowess adds an international flair to the world of auctions, making her a standout figure in the industry. Phyllis is Taiwanese-American and holds a degree from Columbia University.

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Growing up in a multicultural Taiwanese-American family, Phyllis’s fluency in both English and Mandarin opened doors early in her career as the Chinese art market began to thrive. Having studied history at Columbia with a focus on modern China, Phyllis’s deep knowledge paved the way for her specialization in Chinese antiquities, particularly with Buddhist art. This expertise allowed her to carve out a successful path in the intricate world of auctions, where her knowledge of both culture and art played a pivotal role.

In addition to her knowledge of art and history, Phyllis emphasized the importance of stage presence when commanding an auction room. Drawing from her early aspirations of becoming a violinist, her performance experience helped her develop the ability to control a room’s energy and captivate her audience. But it’s more than just a presence – she explained that all auctioneers should possess an innate understanding of how bidding numbers and increments flow, and be able to adjust them seamlessly in real time.

For any budding collectors, Phyllis’s advice? Visit local museums to find what resonates with you! Let your interests guide you, she said, and use that as the foundation for building your collection.

【In this episode】