Name:	bid_AdvancedAmountRecordedAsNotesReceivableAndConsignorAdvances
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Represents the amount of guarantees advanced to a consignor prior to the sale date as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	bid_AuctionGuaranteeAdvancesOutstanding
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Term loans allow the Company to establish or enhance mutually beneficial relationships with borrowers and may generate future auction or private sale consignments and/or purchases. Term loans normally have initial maturities of up to two years and typically carry a variable market rate of interest.

No definition available.

Name:	bid_TermLoans
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Represents the entity's total notes receivable balance in its Agency segment.

No definition available.

Name:	bid_TotalAgencySegmentLoans
Namespace Prefix:	bid_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the aggregate value of notes receivable, collateralized by works of art, to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among myriad other features and characteristics.

No definition available.

Name:	bid_TotalSecuredLoans
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker, not collateralized by works of art, to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the debt. The debt also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among myriad other features and characteristics.

No definition available.

Name:	bid_UnsecuredLoans
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

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Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bid_FinanceMember
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