The oldest auction house Dorotheum was founded in 1707 by order of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I as a state pawnshop for the needs of the population, caught in a difficult financial situation .  First, on the sale of things that have not been able to redeem their owners allowed only a narrow range of buyers .  In 1785, the pawnshop became an open institution for all who want to buy things laid .  80 years after its foundation, the pawnshop has moved to the center of Vienna, in a former monastery Saint Dorothea, after which it got its present name - the Dorotheum .  The company quickly gained momentum and grew rich, so in 1901 on the site of a former monastery was built magnificent elegant building designed by architect Ritter von Foerster .  The opening ceremony attended by the Emperor Dorotheum .  Updated premises fully meet the needs of a large auction house; in showrooms began to gather all the Viennese elite .

Since 1978, the Dorotheum opened rooms free sales, which led to even more potential buyers. The halls are exhibited works of art, antiques, jewelry. Trade in these halls is ongoing, without reference to the auctions. Today is the first place is occupied by auctions, which exhibited paintings of the XIX century, as well as works by contemporary artists. Traditionally, the big interest is glass, porcelain and sculptures of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Since 2001, the Dorotheum has passed into the hands of private owners who responsibly and lovingly continue the tradition of the auction house.

Currently, the Dorotheum has branches and representative offices, both in Austria and in other countries: in Italy, Japan, the Czech Republic and Germany. The record sales results for the Dorotheum began in 2007, when total sales amounted to 123 million euros.