Verified as of 28 September 2026.
An auction estimate is neither the final price nor a guarantee of value. Before bidding, read the conditions of sale, work out all the costs and examine the work with the same diligence as in a private sale.
Catalogue and attribution
Read phrases such as 'by', 'attributed to', 'workshop of', 'circle of' or 'school of' literally. They do not carry the same degree of certainty. Check which statements are covered by the auction house's guarantee and how long you have to make a claim.
Condition
Ask for the condition report and examine the piece whenever possible. Photographs do not always show repairs, relief, reflections or the back. Ask whether the work has been restored and whether there are handling restrictions.
Total price
Work out:
- hammer price;
- buyer's premium;
- taxes;
- the resale right, where applicable;
- transport, packing and insurance;
- storage;
- export and import;
- currency conversion and bank charges.
The estimate may exclude several of these items.
Reserve and bidding
The reserve is the confidential minimum agreed with the seller. Check the rules on bids made on the seller's behalf, telephone bids, commission bids, increments and withdrawn lots. Set an overall limit in advance, not just a maximum hammer price.
Heritage and pre-emption
In Spain, certain auctions of items of Historical Heritage are subject to notification duties and may trigger the Administration's rights of pre-emption or redemption. A sale may be affected by these mechanisms. Whether they apply depends on the item and the transaction.
Payment and collection
Check the payment deadline, currency, accepted payment methods, collection deadline, storage and the point at which risk passes to you. Do not arrange export or transport before you know which permits the piece requires.
Afterwards
Keep the invoice, catalogue, condition report, photographs, result, correspondence and receipts. The invoice should make it possible to link the purchase to the exact lot.
On the open conversation
Each auction house's conditions form part of the transaction. Read them before bidding and take advice when protected heritage or a disputed attribution is involved.
If you spot an error, a broken link or a relevant change, write to me.