What can be sold at auction?

People rarely imagine the scale and diversity of items an auctioneer can offer.

Once focused primarily on art and antiques, auctions have become much more accessible with digitalization. Today, almost anything can be sold at auction: works of art (paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, or photographs), antique or designer furniture, art and decorative objects, luxury watches and jewelry, bags and accessories from major luxury houses, wines and spirits, rare books, manuscripts and autographs, gold and silver coins, stamp collections, currency, comic books, Pokémon cards, antique toys, musical instruments, military objects, Asian art, classic or everyday vehicles, motorcycles, as well as fashion items such as leather goods, haute couture, ready-to-wear, or limited-edition sneakers.

Auctioneers also intervene in the sale of professional equipment, industrial or agricultural machinery, retail stock, complete restaurant furniture, the contents of a hotel, house, or apartment in the context of an inheritance, relocation, or business liquidation.

How do I know if my item is valuable?

It is often difficult to evaluate the value of an item on your own. Its age, rarity, condition, provenance, or market trends can significantly influence its price.

The easiest way is to request an estimate from our auction house. We provide free, confidential, and non-binding estimates.

You can send us photographs or make an appointment so that we can evaluate your property.

How should I present my item for an estimation?

Clear photographs are sufficient to begin with: general views, details, any signatures, and dimensions.

Any additional information (provenance, receipt, history) is very useful to us.

Am I obligated to sell after an estimation?

No. An estimation aims to inform you about the value of your property.

You remain entirely free to keep your item, pass it on, or put it up for sale. No item is put up for sale without your prior agreement.

What are the fees for selling at auction?

Selling fees vary depending on the nature of the item, its value, the type of sale, and the services required for its marketing.

They may notably cover:

• expert fees when an expertise is necessary
• documentary research
• rental of the auction room at Hôtel Drouot;
• sale promotion;
• administrative and management fees;
• online auction platform fees.

Conditions are always defined in advance and specified in the selling mandate. No item is put up for sale without your prior agreement.

How long does it take to sell at auction?

The timeframe mainly depends on:

• the category of the item;
• the auction calendar;
• the potential need for complementary expertise;
• planned communication campaigns.

In most cases, a few weeks to a few months are enough between the initial contact and the sale.

Certain specialized sales may require more preparation to gather the best buyers and maximize the outcome.

Will my item necessarily be sold?

No! When a reserve price has been set, your item cannot be sold below the agreed amount.

If the bids do not reach this threshold, the lot remains unsold. Several solutions can then be considered:

• re-presentation in a future sale;
• a private sale;
• an adjustment of the reserve price;
• a different commercial strategy.

The goal is always to best protect the seller's interests.

How do I know if my lot has been sold?

As soon as possible after the sale, our teams will contact you to inform you of the sale result.

Why do some items exceed their estimation?

An estimation serves as an indication of value based on market results observed at a given time.

However, the final price will depend on numerous factors:

• rarity;
• provenance;
• condition;
• market trends;
• competition among buyers.

It is not uncommon for certain lots to significantly exceed their estimation when multiple bidders wish to acquire the same item.