Auctions at Sotheby's New York are to be streamed live on eBay.

The new live auctions platform pairs Sotheby’s 270 years of experience selling art and antiques with eBay’s digital expertise and 155 million active users worldwide to meet the demand for online bidding.

Beginning April 1, the new section will stream live video of Sotheby’s New York art sales to prospective art buyers, who can participate in the auctions in real-time online.

However, evening sales of high-value artworks and other specialist items will not be included, Sotheby's said.

"What this partnership is about is leveraging eBay's audience and ability to target that audience and find clients that have the means to participate in a Sotheby's auction," Josh Pullan, senior vice-president, director of e-commerce at Sotheby's, said.

Sotheby's and its rival Christie's already conduct online art sales. But the link with eBay will bring the auctioneer's inventory to a potential new audience of more than 155 million active users worldwide.

Online sales of art and antiques are estimated to have reached $3.5bn, equivalent to around 6% of global sales in 2014.

While the partnership is between Sotheby's New York and eBay, it will also be available to bidders outside the US.

Most auctions will be streamed on the platform, except for high-priced sales of contemporary, modern and Impressionist art.

Source: BBC