The Woman Who Sold the World’s Most Expensive Dinosaur
The New York Times
Phyllis Kao, an auctioneer at Sotheby’s, captivated audiences when she sold the fossil of a stegosaurus for $44.6 million.
The $44.6 million stegosaurus, the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction, wasn’t the only thing that caught the attention of viewers mesmerized by a 15-minute bidding war at Sotheby’s on Wednesday.
At the helm of the gripping sales battle was Phyllis Kao, a spirited auctioneer who appeared to delight in the volley, helping to draw in millions of curious online spectators.
Around 10 a.m., Ms. Kao, a vice president of client strategy for Sotheby’s, started the bidding at $3 million with a cool lean on the podium.
“Emily draws blood first,” Ms. Kao says of an early bid of $3.8 million in a captivating video.
Wearing a gray Armani jacket, with her dark hair twisted up and pinned back in a pony tail, Ms. Kao supported herself on her forearm and steadied her gaze toward the bidders like an opponent challenging a rival. Seven bidders held phones to their ears, relaying offers for the bones from buyers around the world.
“At $6 million, thank you, Simon Shaw,” she says, with no qualms about calling on bidders by name, making them feel seen, and special. “At $6 million, nice way to start.”
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