Using an auctioneer seems like a luxury reserved for the lucky owners of a Louis XV chest of drawers or a master painting. However, there are many situations in which it can be worthwhile using the services of a professional.
Here are 5 good reasons to call on the services of an auctioneer:
1- HE IS IMPARTIAL
Who hasn't wondered about the real value of a luxury jewel inherited, a Chinese porcelain vase forgotten in a cellar or a painting hidden away in an attic?
The auctioneer plays a key role here. They are responsible for carrying out the inventory, valuation and auction of items on behalf of private individuals, in an impartial manner.
The expert is there to establish the reality of a fact, in a neutral and objective way. Their role is to appraise an item and value it according to the reality of the art market.
If you are happy with the estimate, the auctioneer then ensures that your object is presented in a suitable sale, and that the bidding rises until the final hammer is struck. Once, twice, three times... sold.
2- DUAL EXPERTISE IN LAW AND ART
The auctioneer's speciality is generally based on a dual training in law and art, which gives him the ability to evaluate the goods submitted to him with great accuracy.
His skills also enable him to learn as much as possible about the history of the object. A real journey through time for the lucky owner! And if the item requires a more in-depth appraisal, the auctioneer is surrounded by a network of professionals, such as gemologists or numismatists, who can provide him with information about the value of the items. The auctioneer has an overall view of the art market.
3- IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ESTATE
Private individuals very often turn to an auctioneer in the event of an inheritance.
The auctioneer works impartially with the heirs to ensure a fair division of the estate. Whatever the value of an estate, the auctioneer is able to assess the assets at their fair value.
The expert's involvement ensures that all the heirs are aware of the true value of the items and avoids family disputes over the value of the deceased's possessions.
4- USING A RECOGNISED AUCTIONEER IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
The name and provenance of the objects are sometimes enough to create a stir.
All that remains is to present them in an unforgettable way and sell them at their best, thanks to the talent and know-how of the auctioneer. A successful sale depends on the personality of the person holding the hammer.
The experience of the major auction houses makes all the difference when it comes to electrifying a room, delighting an audience or adding a touch of humour to this sometimes solemn moment!
5 - BECAUSE YOU'RE BOUND TO HAVE UNSUSPECTED TREASURES AT HOME
It's a dream story: the auctioneer comes to appraise an object, goes round the property and comes across a painting that looks ordinary to its owner.
In reality, it was a Persian illumination, a true masterpiece that sold for over €500,000 at an auction in Nice.
"Paul-Antoine Vergeau, Managing Director of MILLON Riviera in Nice, points out that"it'soften during a chance visit that we discover real treasures in the nooks and crannies of a flat.
The firm is part of the MILLON Group, which has been operating in France and internationally for almost 100 years. This longevity has been built around regional experts who are close at hand, responsive and agile in each region, such as the Côte d'Azur.
For this auctioneer with a law degree and a diploma from the École du Louvre, every detail counts: the nature of the work, the author, the material, the quality, the dimensions, the state of conservation, the period, and references to previous sales of similar objects. The rarity, aesthetic quality and origin of the object are also decisive criteria.
The exercise requires expertise that private individuals do not necessarily possess. The only solution is to call in an auctioneer to appraise an item, whether it's a painting, furniture, wine, objets d'art, jewellery, coins or a sculpture.
"All objects have a value, and you have to know how to decipher them and then put them to good use at auction. That's our role," explains Maître Paul-Antoine Vergeau. The skill of an auctioneer can also be seen in the way he conducts the sale, always in the interests of the seller.