Viewing, Bidder Registration & Other Considerations

• Our fully illustrated catalogue is available to view on our Website two weeks prior to each sale, with a live bidding facility.  It is also available to view with live bidding platforms The Saleroom and Easy Live Auction.

• Viewing in person is also available during the two weeks prior to the sale, by appointment at our offices. Please contact us if you wish to arrange to view items in the sale.  General browsing is not possible and we encourage potential buyers to view our catalogue online first in order to ascertain which lots they wish to see.  We do not hold a public view day.  This is done to reduce the risk of damage and theft, reduce costs, to allow people to visit us at times that are convenient to them, and to provide a quiet, well lit environment in which to view rather than the hustle and bustle experienced during a busy view day.  Our sales are held off-site, and therefore the viewing of items on sale day is not permissible. and lots are not available to view on the day of the auction. All lots are displayed on a screen during the auction.

• Bidding can take place online via our Website and with bidding platforms The Saleroom or Easy Live Auction.   There are associated and differing costs with each online bidding option (in addition to our buyer’s premium of 20%) which potential bidders should make themselves aware of and which are listed on our Bidding & Saleday page.  Registration will be required with all of them if you have not used them before, including proof of ID and the registration of a bank card.

• If you choose to bid directly with us and have not done so before two forms of proof of ID will be required including photographic ID such as a driver’s licence or passport which also features your full name and address and a household bill such a utility or Council tax bill also clearing featuring your name and address.  All personal data is handled in compliance with GDPR regulations.  Registering buyers is entirely at our discretion and we may ask you for further proof of ID or means of payment or request you bid online.

• The Data Protection Act 2018 and RICS regulations require us to uphold strict protocols regarding the information we hold on our clients including how it is obtained, stored, used and deleted.  Subject to any specific consents you may have given us, your information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy which can be found on our Terms of Business page.  Buyers should also familiarise themselves with our obligation to company with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, details of which can also be found on our Terms of Business page.

• Commission bids may be left with the auctioneer at our discretion and upon registration approval, and must be placed with us prior to the day of the auction.  We do not offer telephone bidding.

• Bidding can also take place in the room during the auction at our off-site venue.  If you wish to bid in person please ensure you have registered with us prior to the sale and that your registration has been confirmed as we may not be able to process your registration application during the sale and will therefore be unable to take your bids.

• Please be aware that payment is required by bank transfer.  We do not take cash or have the facility to take cards either in person or over the phone.  If you bid via our Website or with The Saleroom and have registered a debit card as your means of payment then we are able, at our discretion, to send you an electronic payment request.  This facility is not available to Easy Live Auction bidders who must pay by bank transfer.  If you are unable to pay by these methods then please do not bid with us.

• Our Buyer’s Premium is 20% inclusive.  We are not registered for VAT.

• Reserves figures are not disclosed, however the reserve will never exceed the lower estimate. Estimates do not include our buyer’s premium of 20% of the hammer price, and are only there are a guide.

• Catalogue descriptions do not generally include information on condition, restoration or damage. Condition reports, additional images and further information will be provided upon request. All lots are ‘sold as seen’ and viewing in person or requesting a condition report is strongly encouraged.

• All items offered for sale involving endangered species including ivory adhere to the UK and European laws and CITES regulations, and the UK Ivory Act.  It is the buyer’s responsibility to make sure that they are aware of the current laws and regulations regarding the importation and sale of any item containing ivory or any other endangered or listed species in relation to their own country, circumstances and requirements.

• Droit de Suite is a royalty payable by the buyer to a qualifying artist or the artist’s heirs each time a work is re-sold. This is applicable during the artist’s lifetime and for a period up to 70 years following the artist’s death.  Royalties are calculated using a sliding scale of percentages of the sale price, but are only imposed upon items selling for in excess of 1,000 Euros (converted at the current rate of exchange on the day of the sale).

Royalties are charged as follows, but are limited to 12,500 Euros:

4% Up to €50,000
3% €50,000.01 – 200,000
1% €200,000.01 – 350,000

For example, if a painting sells for £1,500 (hammer price), it will be subject to our usual Buyer’s Premium of 20%, and an additional charge of £60 as the royalty rate being 4% of £1,500.

For more information please contact the office. Alternatively visit either DACS or ACS for more information.  Lots which may potentially be liable for Droit de Suite will be identified in the catalogue.

• It is important that potential buyers are aware that gemstones are regularly exposed to a variety of treatments which can improve their appearance and colour.   Many of these treatments can only be identified in a laboratory environment. We therefore stress that unless we specifically state that a gemstone is untreated we assume that treatment may have taken place at some point and that it may not necessarily be permanent. We are always happy to discuss any concerns a potential buyer may have and will attempt to provide them with as much information as possible.

• We strongly recommend potential buyers consider the cost of collection and shipping prior to bidding. We do not have an in-house postage and packaging facility and therefore recommend out local branch of Mail Boxes Etc for all collection, packaging and shipping requirements. They are happy to provide quotes prior to an auction to enable buyers to add this expense into their spending budget.  For more information on collection please go to our Payments and Collections page.

• Please familiarise yourself with our full Information for Buyers on our Terms of Business page.