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This guide takes you from catalogue research to registration, bidding, payment and delivery. Auction-house rules, fees, deadlines, taxes, permits and destination coverage change by sale and location, so use the specific lot page, buyer conditions, invoice and written shipping quote as the controlling documents.
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Understand what you are actually buying
An auction lot is a particular object offered under a particular sale’s terms. The catalogue entry, not a general description of the artist or medium, controls what is being sold. Read the complete lot page, including symbols, footnotes, amendments and saleroom notices. Confirm the maker or attribution, title, date, material, dimensions, provenance, exhibition or publication history, and any restrictions or special handling notes supplied by the auction house.
Condition is equally important. Auction houses commonly sell works in their existing state rather than with a retail-style warranty. Sotheby’s buyer guide states: All lots are offered for sale ‘AS IS’ and in the condition which they are in at the time of sale.
Its guide recommends investigating each lot and inspecting it where possible; it describes a condition report as a convenience, not a substitute for your own assessment. Read the report, ask questions in writing and arrange an in-person viewing when practical. Sotheby’s global buyer guide
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Read the catalogue entry as a specification
- Attribution and date: Distinguish an identified artist from “attributed to,” “workshop of,” “circle of,” “after,” or an anonymous maker. Check whether the date is exact, approximate or a range.
- Material and construction: Note bronze, stone, wood, resin, mixed media, found objects or other materials, plus casting information or edition details when supplied. Material affects condition risk, packing and customs treatment.
- Measurements and weight: Record height, width, depth, base dimensions and stated weight. Ask whether measurements include the plinth, mount or packing frame.
- Provenance and documentation: Review ownership history, invoices, certificates, exhibition records and publication references. Treat an undocumented claim as unverified rather than filling gaps with assumptions.
- Symbols and notices: Look for symbols indicating import restrictions, artist resale royalty, guaranteed lots, reserves, endangered materials or other special terms. Read every linked notice.
Use estimates correctly
The low and high estimates are the auction house’s view of likely bidding, not a promise, valuation certificate or all-in budget. Christie’s glossary says estimates reflect factors such as condition, rarity, quality, provenance and recent comparable auction prices, and may be revised. The hammer price is the final bid when the auctioneer closes the lot; it excludes the buyer’s premium. Christie’s glossary
A sculpture estimated at a modest level can sell above the high estimate, while a work can also pass unsold if its reserve is not met. Check the estimate’s currency and whether it was updated after publication. If the lot has a reserve, the sale conditions should explain how that affects bidding; do not assume the low estimate equals the reserve.
Calculate the all-in cost before you bid
Set a maximum total spend first, then work backward to a maximum hammer bid. The governing relationship is:
Total cost = hammer price + buyer’s premium + applicable tax or duties + shipping and insurance + other lot or sale charges.
Christie’s explains that the buyer’s premium is charged as a percentage of the winning bid and is often tiered by price band. Its fee explainer states: The total cost to the buyer is the hammer price + buyer’s premium + any applicable taxes or shipping charges.
Rates, tiers, currencies and additional charges vary by auction house, sale and location; use the current fee schedule attached to the sale rather than an old percentage. Christie’s, Understanding auction fees
Build a personal budget worksheet
| Line item | What to enter | Where to verify it |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer price | Your planned maximum winning bid | Bid interface and sale terms |
| Buyer’s premium | The applicable percentage or tier for this sale and hammer band | Current buyer conditions or fee schedule |
| Sales or value-added tax | Tax status for your billing address, lot location and delivery destination | Sale terms, invoice department or tax adviser |
| Import duty and customs | Destination-country charges, if the work crosses a border | Customs authority, shipper and auction-house guidance |
| Artist resale royalty or other levies | Any line item triggered by the lot or jurisdiction | Lot page, conditions and invoice |
| Packing, transport and insurance | Written quote covering the complete route | Auction house or specialist shipper |
| Collection, storage or handling | Charges if you miss the free collection window or need storage | Collection and storage policy |
Work backward from your ceiling
If your total ceiling is fixed, reserve realistic amounts for tax, delivery and contingencies before deciding how much to bid. A simple spreadsheet can test several hammer prices: enter the sale’s premium tiers, then add estimated tax and the written shipping quote. Where a premium changes at a threshold, calculate each tier separately; the percentage may apply progressively by band rather than as one rate on the entire hammer price.
For illustration only, suppose a sale’s published premium schedule were 25% on a particular hammer band, tax were 8%, and a written shipping quote were 600 in the sale currency. A 10,000 hammer price would produce 2,500 premium, 1,000 tax if tax applied to the hammer and premium as specified by that jurisdiction, and 600 shipping, for an illustrative 14,100 total. Those percentages and tax rules are not universal rates; replace them with the actual sale’s figures and confirm what the tax base includes.
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Allow for charges that appear after the bid
Potential extras include an overhead premium, artist resale royalty, export documentation, import tax, customs duty, local clearance, storage, special packing, crating, lift-gate delivery or transit insurance. Not every lot incurs each item. Ask the auction house to identify which charges are known, which depend on your destination and which will be calculated only after invoicing.
Inspect condition, authenticity and fit before committing
Request and review the condition report
Compare the report with the catalogue description. Look for cracks, chips, losses, repairs, replaced elements, structural joins, unstable finishes, corrosion, weathering and restoration. Ask whether photographs show all sides and whether the base or interior was examined. If the report uses broad language such as “wear consistent with age,” request clarification about defects that could affect display, value or transport.
When a sculpture is too large or fragile for ordinary handling, ask how it was examined and how it will be released. A viewing appointment lets you check scale, surface, balance, attachment points and the relationship between the object and its stated dimensions. If you cannot attend, request additional photographs, video or a trusted independent inspection, and retain written answers with the lot records.
Check provenance and restrictions
Provenance is a documented ownership history, not merely a seller’s narrative. Review names, dates, invoices and references supplied in the lot entry, and note gaps. Exhibition or publication references can help identify the work but do not by themselves guarantee authenticity or title.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSome materials or origins trigger export, import or endangered-species rules. CITES permits may be relevant to protected animal materials; other cultural-property laws can apply to archaeological or culturally significant objects. The auction house may flag a requirement, but you remain responsible for confirming that the work can legally leave the sale country and enter your destination.
Register for the sale and choose a bidding method
Registration is not the same as approval to bid on every lot. Follow the sale’s stated deadline and provide the requested identity, address and payment information. High-value or restricted lots may require advance registration, a financial reference, a deposit or additional approval. Resolve verification issues before the sale starts.
Confirm the mechanics
- Check the sale date, time zone, currency and whether the event is live, online-only or a hybrid.
- Verify accepted methods: in-room, telephone, online, absentee or maximum bidding. Some methods close earlier than the auction.
- Read the increment schedule and tie rules. Christie’s and Sotheby’s may use different interfaces and increments for different sales.
- Confirm whether your bid is binding under the conditions and whether a submitted maximum can be changed or cancelled.
- Test your account, browser, telephone connection or payment authentication before the lot opens.
Sotheby’s defines a maximum bid as a ceiling that the system attempts to execute at the lowest price possible, subject to priority rules and competing bids. Entering a maximum does not mean you automatically pay that amount; you pay the amount required to win under the sale’s increments. Read the specific sale instructions because execution, tie priority and cut-off times can vary. Sotheby’s auction glossary and bidding information
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Understand increments without assuming a universal rule
Auction increments are stepped amounts rather than arbitrary numbers. Sotheby’s glossary gives an illustrative convention of about 10% as a general example, while noting that the auctioneer retains discretion. Treat that as an explanation of how increments may be structured, not a guaranteed rate for your sculpture. The live auctioneer or online system controls the valid next bid.
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Write down your maximum hammer bid before bidding begins. Do not increase it because the room becomes competitive, the lot is nearly yours or another bidder pauses. Your ceiling should already account for premium, taxes, delivery and a contingency for a quote that changes with dimensions or destination.
- Open the lot page and verify the lot number. Make sure you are bidding on the correct sculpture, not a similar image or sequential lot.
- Check the live status and current bid. Confirm the currency and whether the displayed amount is the next required bid or the current high bid.
- Submit only an amount within your ceiling. For an absentee or maximum bid, enter the maximum authorized by your worksheet. For live bidding, stop when the next valid bid would exceed it.
- Watch for extensions or reserve notices. Online sales may extend while bids arrive; a displayed countdown is not always the final close.
- Save the result. Capture the winning confirmation, lot number and displayed hammer price, then wait for the official invoice.
If the platform fails or your connection drops, use the sale’s published telephone or client-service channel immediately. Do not assume a failed screen means no bid was accepted; ask the auction house to confirm the recorded bid and status.
After you win: invoice, payment and release
The auction house’s invoice is the authoritative calculation for your transaction. Check that it identifies the correct lot, hammer price, premium tier, tax, royalty or other charges, and any credit or deposit already held. If an amount conflicts with the published terms, ask for clarification before sending payment.
Payment deadlines differ. Christie’s general guidance says payment for a live auction is due within seven days and payment for an online auction is due immediately; another house, region or sale can set different deadlines. Its guide explains that the invoice lists the hammer price and applicable charges. Use the deadline printed on your invoice and the sale conditions, not a remembered standard. Christie’s payment and shipping guide
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- Verify the currency, bank details and payment reference through an authenticated auction-house channel before transferring funds.
- Ask whether card limits, bank drafts, wire transfers or deposits have special conditions.
- Do not arrange collection until the auction house confirms cleared funds and release authorization.
- Keep the paid invoice, export paperwork and collection authorization with the shipping file.
Sotheby’s buyer guide notes that buyers may owe taxes, artist resale royalty, import tax, customs duty, local clearance fees and shipping costs including transit insurance. It directs buyers to the invoice for payment and clearance instructions. Sotheby’s global buyer guide
Arrange sculpture shipping before bidding
Shipping a sculpture is not the same as mailing a small, uniform parcel. Dimensions, weight, center of gravity, protruding elements, surface sensitivity, climate requirements, destination access and border route can all require bespoke packing and handling. Ask for a written quote before the sale whenever possible; a vague estimate after you win can change your all-in budget.
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What a useful quote should state
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What are the packed dimensions and weight? | They determine crate size, vehicle, lift equipment and carrier availability. |
| Does the price include collection, packing, crating and delivery to the exact address? | Separate legs can create unexpected handling or local-delivery charges. |
| What insurance applies? | Confirm the insured value, exclusions, claim process and whether coverage is in transit only or includes loading and unloading. |
| Who is responsible for unpacking and condition checks? | Photographs and prompt reporting can be required for a damage claim. |
| How long is the quote valid? | Fuel, storage, carrier capacity and exchange rates can change. |
| Can the destination be served? | Some auction-house services exclude remote addresses, islands, embargoed routes or countries requiring permits. |
Christie’s says the variety of object size, shape and material often calls for a bespoke shipping quote. It allows buyers to use approved shippers or arrange their own carrier, and advises checking packing, insurance, collection, delivery and applicable tax. Christie’s payment and shipping guide
Sotheby’s regional shipping guidance says buyers bear shipping costs in the described markets, final packing and shipping costs can differ from an initial quote, and the buyer should inspect the shipment immediately and report discrepancies. It also notes that some destinations cannot be served by the auction house and that export or import licences may be the buyer’s responsibility. Confirm the route, quote validity, insurance and a fallback collection plan in writing. Sotheby’s collection, shipment, export and storage guidance
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Choose between auction-house delivery and your own carrier
An auction-house-approved shipper may already know the facility’s release procedures and packing standards. Your own specialist carrier may offer a better route, schedule or destination coverage. Compare the same scope: collection appointment, protective materials, custom crate, transit insurance, customs brokerage, final-mile delivery and unpacking. Ask who files claims if the sculpture arrives damaged and whether the carrier can handle stairs, narrow doors, hoists or an unpaved access road.
Plan collection and storage
Record the collection window as soon as you receive the invoice. Christie’s cited guide describes complimentary storage for 90 days followed by monthly charges; that is a policy for the referenced guide, not a universal auction rule. Sotheby’s guidance sets regional timelines and charges that can differ. If your carrier cannot collect in time, obtain a written storage rate and extension before the free period ends. Christie’s payment and shipping guide Sotheby’s collection, shipment, export and storage guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.International purchases: permits, taxes and border risk
Cross-border delivery adds obligations that are not visible in the hammer price. Identify the export country, transit countries and import country before bidding. Ask the auction house and shipper which party obtains export licences, CITES documents, cultural-property certificates, customs declarations and import permits. Requirements can depend on material, age, origin, artist, destination and the value declared.
Budget for import VAT or sales tax, customs duty, brokerage, inspection, port fees and local clearance. A shipping quote may exclude those amounts even when it includes transport. Confirm the importer of record and the documents needed to release the sculpture. Never ask a carrier to understate value or misdescribe material; inaccurate declarations can delay or forfeit the shipment and may create legal penalties.
If a permit is delayed or denied, know your options before bidding: hold the work at the sale location, redirect it to an approved warehouse, return it where the terms allow, or cancel only if the contract provides that remedy. A permit problem is not automatically a right to withdraw from a completed purchase.
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Compare two sculpture lots on risk as well as price
A lower estimate does not guarantee a lower final cost. Use a side-by-side worksheet that includes the object and the transaction.
| Comparison axis | Questions to answer for each lot |
|---|---|
| Attribution and date | Who made it, how certain is the attribution, and is the date documented? |
| Medium and construction | What materials, joins, edition details or vulnerable elements affect care and transport? |
| Dimensions and weight | Will it fit the intended room, doorway, lift and vehicle? Is a plinth included? |
| Condition | What damage, restoration, replacement or instability is disclosed, and did you inspect it? |
| Provenance and records | What ownership, exhibition, publication and certificate documentation is supplied? |
| Estimate and comparables | What factors support the estimate, and has it been revised? |
| Fees and tax | Which premium tier, tax treatment, royalty or other line items apply? |
| Delivery | What is the written packed-shipping quote, insurance scope and collection deadline? |
| Restrictions | Are export, import, CITES, cultural-property or destination restrictions involved? |
Choose the lot whose documentation, condition and logistics you understand, not merely the one with the lower estimate. If a key answer remains unavailable, reduce your maximum or do not bid.
Common mistakes and how to recover
Mistake: treating the estimate as your budget
Recovery: Recalculate from your total ceiling using the current premium schedule, tax treatment and a written delivery quote. If those figures are unavailable, set a conservative provisional reserve and lower the hammer limit.
Mistake: assuming one buyer’s-premium percentage applies everywhere
Recovery: Open the exact sale conditions and identify the tier that applies to your expected hammer price. Ask the auction house to confirm whether the rate is progressive, whether an overhead premium applies and how tax is calculated.
Mistake: bidding without reading the condition report
Recovery: Request the report and photographs, ask focused questions and arrange viewing or independent inspection. If the auction cannot provide enough information before the deadline, do not bid on the assumption that the object is sound.
Mistake: waiting until after the sale to investigate shipping
Recovery: Obtain a quote using the sculpture’s packed dimensions, destination and access details. Confirm insurance, permits, carrier availability and the collection deadline before committing.
Mistake: missing payment or collection deadlines
Recovery: Contact the auction house immediately, pay any outstanding invoice through verified bank details and request written instructions. Ask for the current storage and release charges rather than assuming a grace period.
Mistake: assuming a successful screen bid equals immediate ownership release
Recovery: Wait for the official invoice, cleared funds and release authorization. Keep the confirmation and lot number, but follow the auction house’s formal clearance process.
A practical pre-bid checklist
- Lot number, artist or attribution, title and sale location verified.
- Material, date, dimensions, weight and base details recorded.
- Catalogue amendments and saleroom notices read.
- Condition report reviewed; questions answered; viewing completed or delegated where possible.
- Provenance, certificates, exhibition and publication references checked.
- Estimate currency and revision status noted without treating it as a guarantee.
- Current buyer’s-premium tiers, taxes, duties, royalties and other charges entered in a worksheet.
- Maximum hammer bid calculated from a fixed total-spend ceiling.
- Registration, identity, deposit and bidding-method deadlines completed.
- Currency, increments, tie rules, maximum-bid behavior and sale extension rules understood.
- Written shipping or collection quote obtained, including packing, insurance, route and destination.
- Export, import, CITES or cultural-property permits investigated.
- Payment deadline, accepted methods, collection window and storage rates recorded.
- Contingency plan prepared for a delayed permit, unavailable carrier or missed collection date.
What a careful decision looks like
Bid only when you can state, in one worksheet, what the sculpture is, what condition it is in, what documentation supports it, what the maximum hammer price is, and how the object will reach its destination legally and safely. The sale’s current conditions, invoice and written logistics quote outrank general auction habits or an estimate printed months earlier. That discipline turns an exciting bid into a controlled purchase rather than an unexpectedly expensive delivery problem.
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