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Segment Reporting (Schedule of Revenues by Geographic Region) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues $ 351,224us-gaap_Revenues $ 94,201us-gaap_Revenues $ 335,817us-gaap_Revenues $ 156,811us-gaap_Revenues $ 339,201us-gaap_Revenues $ 107,864us-gaap_Revenues $ 304,868us-gaap_Revenues $ 101,745us-gaap_Revenues $ 938,053us-gaap_Revenues $ 853,678us-gaap_Revenues $ 768,492us-gaap_Revenues
UNITED STATES                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 397,113us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
352,450us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
338,162us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
UNITED KINGDOM                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 271,505us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB
230,304us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB
221,716us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB
CHINA                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 165,066us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CN
153,909us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CN
108,399us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CN
FRANCE                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 48,032us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_FR
46,891us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_FR
40,972us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_FR
SWITZERLAND                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 46,226us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CH
41,150us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CH
41,061us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CH
Other Countries - Revenue [Member]                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 19,116us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_OtherCountriesRevenueMember
39,465us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_OtherCountriesRevenueMember
25,961us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_OtherCountriesRevenueMember
Reconciling Items Member                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]                      
Total Agency segment revenues                 $ 9,005us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_ReconcilingItemsMember
$ 10,491us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_ReconcilingItemsMember
$ 7,779us-gaap_Revenues
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= bid_ReconcilingItemsMember