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Catalogues include thorough descriptions, provenance, exhibition history, literary reference notes, and estimated selling prices for each lot. In addition, every catalogue tells you whom to contact for advice and information on the particular auction, viewing dates and times, and instructions on bidding if you cannot attend the auction in person. Respective terms and conditions for each auction are also printed in the backs of catalogues, along with Absentee Bid forms.
Sotheby's puts the lots from each of its sales on public display for approximately one week before the actual auction of those lots. Sotheby's exhibitions are open to the public and are an excellent opportunity to learn and examine fine art and antiques first-hand. Sotheby's specialists are on hand at these exhibitions to answer any questions you may have about the lots. |
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Sotheby's worldwide reputation for covering the vast range of antiques and decorative arts is unparalleled. Sotheby's collecting categories range from cutting-edge Contemporary Art and Old Master paintings to cinema posters, carpets, musical instruments, ceramics, glass, silver, furniture, Oriental art and textiles, to name but a few. Before you can consign property to Sotheby's, Sotheby's must make a preliminary auction estimate (see below.) If your property is of a type that Sotheby's handles, Sotheby's will indicate to you where the property should be delivered for auction. Please note that items should never be sent to Sotheby's without these preliminary communications. Consignors pay a selling commission that is deducted, along with any agreed upon expenses, from the hammer price. Sotheby's charges a commission based on the total hammer prices of all property sold by you at Sotheby's auctions. |
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| An auction estimate is a range of prices (e.g. $1,500-2,000) that Sotheby's specialists believe a piece might bring at auction. Appraisals and valuations are formal documents to be used for estate tax and planning, insurance, charitable contribution and collateral loan purposes. |
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| All of Sotheby's auctions are free and open to the public. There is no obligation to bid. Sotheby's auctions are an excellent opportunity to observe and familiarize yourself with the bidding process before you begin to buy. Most auctions are held during the day, although some Impressionist, Contemporary, and special sales are held in the evening and may require tickets. If so, this will be noted in the catalogue. |
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There are two means by which an individual can place a bid for a live auction: by attending the sale, or by submitting an absentee bid form. Absentee bidding is available by printing a form and faxing it to Sotheby's, by mailing the form from the back of any Sotheby's catalogue, or by online absentee bidding through My Sothebys.
In certain cases, Sotheby's will accept bids from a potential buyer by telephone. An auctioneer's assistant in the sales room will relay the bidding information. At major sales, Sotheby's has had more than 20 telephone lines available. Telephone bidding is generally an option for lots of substantial value only. |
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| Sotheby's charges a fee known as a Buyer's Premium. This is added to the winning bid (also known as the "hammer price") and is payable as part of the total purchase price. In many cases a single winning bid may have two different rates applied to different portions of the price. Before bidding in any Sotheby's auction, contact the appropriate Sotheby’s office or specialist department to confirm the applicable rate. |
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| There are a number of ways to obtain auction results: Auction results are available on the Auction Results page. Results generally become available immediately after the close of an auction. Results may also be heard by calling 212-606-7901. |
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Sotheby's accepts check or wire transfer, Visa, MasterCard and American Express, and cash (subject to certain restrictions). NOTE: Credit cards are not accepted in all locations, and not all cards are accepted in every location. Contact the Sotheby's location conducting the auction in which you are interested to determine payment methods.
Sotheby's US locations will collect the appropriate sales tax for lots picked up or shipped to any of the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington state and Washington, DC. For tax information in other locations, please contact your local Sotheby's office. |
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Following the UK's implementation of the EU Artist's Resale Right Directive, living artists are entitled to receive a resale royalty each time their art work is sold in the UK by an art market professional, subject to certain conditions. Sotheby's will collect the resale royalty due to the artists from buyers of lots with a hammer price (excluding buyer's premium and excluding VAT) in excess of €1000. Any purchaser of a lot to which Artist's Resale Right applies will be charged an amount equal to the applicable resale royalty, which will be added to the relevant invoice.
You may pick up your property at the selling location or have it shipped. If you wish, Sotheby's can arrange for the shipment of your purchase. Alternately, you may arrange to have your own shipper pick up your purchase. For further purchase, tax, shipping and other related information, please visit the Buying at Sotheby's page. |
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