A bronze sculpture with roots stretching back to classical antiquity has rewritten the auction record books in London. The life-sized Hamilton Laocoön, a rare 19th-century bronze interpretation of one of the ancient world's most celebrated marble masterpieces, sold at Sotheby's for £13.6 million ($18.1 million), comfortably surpassing expectations before the sale. Its price established a new benchmark for a Neoclassical sculpture at auction and reflected the unusual combination of rarity, craftsmanship and documented ownership attached to the work. While collectors often compete fiercely for exceptional paintings, sculptures of this scale and historical importance appear on the market only rarely, making the sale a standout moment in this season's auctions.
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