Cover Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 08, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q/A
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Entity File Number	1-9750
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-2478409
Entity Address, Address Line One	1334 York Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	New York,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10021
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	606-7000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		488,926
Entity Registrant Name	SOTHEBYS
Entity Central Index Key	0000823094
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	true
Amendment Description	Correct cover page