In the auction world, a white glove auction represents the ultimate achievement, a perfect sale where every single lot finds a buyer. The milestone is traditionally celebrated by gifting the auctioneer a pair of white gloves. In 2023, that rare honor was awarded to Phyllis Kao following her debut evening auction at Sotheby’s New York.⁠ ⁠ Kao has become one of Sotheby’s most recognizable and charismatic auctioneers, known for her natural, unscripted style and ability to read the room. She connects with bidders in real time, shapes the energy of the sale, and transforms the bidding process into a dynamic performance rather than a routine transaction. Her confidence and presence have helped define some of the auction house’s most memorable moments.⁠ ⁠ One of her most headline-making achievements came when she successfully auctioned a dinosaur skeleton for $44.6 million, a feat few auctioneers could pull off with such ease. From historic sales to record-breaking results, Kao’s rise highlig...