Licensed auctioneer, work of art - Auctie's

What is a licensed auctioneer?

Under French law, the profession is regulated under a dual system, with two distinct categories: judicial auctioneers (ministerial officers appointed by decree) and voluntary auctioneers certified by the Council of Voluntary Auctions.

Auctie’s is a voluntary auction company (SVV) that works in partnership with the Rossini auction house, located directly across from Drouot.

The structural reform resulting from the law of July 10, 2000, eliminated the territorial monopoly of judicial auctioneers and opened the voluntary auction market to competition, within a framework that remains strictly regulated.

A State-Certified Expert

The initial training is rigorous, requiring a dual degree in law and art history. The entire program is contingent upon passing an entrance exam and a final exam, with a two-year internship in between.

Accreditation is issued by the Council for Voluntary Auctions, an independent regulatory authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, responsible for ethical and disciplinary oversight of the profession.

Auctioneers must be registered on the official list of voluntary auction operators, which is publicly accessible, ensuring legitimacy and traceability for both the seller and the buyer.

Auctioneers are subject to a strict professional liability regime, including a requirement for insurance and a personal commitment to the authenticity of the attributions listed in the catalog.

This role should be distinguished from that of an independent expert, who is more specialized and brings additional expertise, particularly in assisting the auctioneer with appraisals. An independent expert may issue certificates of authenticity but has no legal authority to organize public auctions.

Their Role in Art Auctions

The auctioneer is responsible for conducting a preliminary appraisal, which involves physically examining the artwork, consulting period specialists as needed, and establishing a low and high estimate to set the reserve price and inform potential buyers.

At Auctie’s, this step can already be digitized in the initial phase.

He or she compiles the scholarly catalog, which includes an attribution note, a technical description (medium, dimensions, condition), a history of provenance, a bibliography, and exhibition references.

He or she conducts the auction, presides over the session publicly, accepts bids in the auction room, by phone, and via digital platforms, and awards the lot to the highest bidder in accordance with public auction law.

They ensure the legal validity of the transaction and verify the lawful origin of the artwork (anti-money laundering due diligence, compliance with cultural property regulations).

He also guarantees neutrality and impartiality, unlike an art dealer who buys to resell at a profit. The auctioneer acts as the seller’s agent and receives a commission proportional to the hammer price, which ensures a structural alignment of interests.

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Paintings, sculptures, collectibles: we appraise all your items

Our auction house’s scope of expertise is intentionally broad, with internal specialization by department. Our experts are generalists and can provide an accurate initial estimate for your request online.

Within the auction house, each category is handled by a sector-specific expert whose expertise is recognized by the market. This allows the owner to benefit from a qualified assessment without having to identify the right contact themselves.

For example, the Old Masters segment requires in-depth expertise, often conducted in collaboration with specialized external consultants (curators, art historians, members of attribution committees).

Multi-lot appraisals are particularly valuable because an owner with a cohesive collection (such as a thematic collection or a complete estate) can benefit from a comprehensive analysis that identifies key pieces, prioritizes lots, and defines an optimized sales strategy.

The appraisal systematically covers three distinct parameters: market value (probable auction price), insurance value (cost of replacing the item with a new or identical one), and fair market value—three concepts that are sometimes confused.

A response in less than 24 hours, with no obligation

Our commitment to responsiveness is based on the digital nature of the initial contact: submitting digital photographs of sufficient quality allows the appraiser to provide a preliminary estimate range without a physical examination of the work, which may be followed by a more in-depth appraisal if necessary.

The procedure is standard and requires photographs of the front and back of the work, close-ups of the signature, the stretcher frame or the reverse side of the support, and any available documentation of provenance. The quality of the photographic documentation directly determines the accuracy of the provided estimate.

Receiving an estimate does not create any contractual obligation or implied mandate to sell at the estimation stage.

The informational value of your object is independent of any decision to sell.

However, an estimate based on photographs remains indicative and cannot replace a physical examination of the work—which is available by appointment—as this is the only way to determine the actual state of preservation, any repainting, and the technical characteristics that are decisive for the final value.

Auctions with Auctie’s

Starting Price, Reserve Price, and Auction Award

The mechanics of a public auction are based on three distinct technical concepts:

- The starting price: This is the minimum amount publicly announced at the opening of the auction. Deliberately set below the estimated value, its purpose is to stimulate competition among bidders and kickstart the bidding process. A starting price that is too high discourages opening bids.

- The reserve price is the confidential threshold below which the auctioneer cannot sell the work. It is contractually agreed upon between the auction house and the seller.

- The auction is the legal act by which the auctioneer transfers ownership of the work to the highest bidder at the fall of the hammer, at which point the sale is finalized.

For the buyer, fees are added to the hammer price and are calculated on a sliding scale, ranging from 20 to 30 percent of the hammer price—a key factor in determining the actual cost of acquisition for the bidder.

On the seller’s side, fees are deducted from the auction proceeds; these fees are negotiable based on the lot’s estimated value and the terms of the consignment agreement. The seller receives the net proceeds, which is the purchase price minus these fees and any additional costs (such as committee fees or certification fees). 

The Hôtel Drouot and Online Auctions

The Hôtel Drouot, located on Rue Drouot in Paris, has been the primary marketplace for French and European auctions since 1852, with a shared infrastructure.

The spectrum covered is very broad, ranging from lots with low unit values to major works of art, and includes a long history of speculation in general auctions, estate sales, and judicial liquidations.

The digital revolution has profoundly reshaped the market’s geography and how it operates; the drouot.com platform is now used worldwide and allows anyone to bid in real time from anywhere and to follow the auction live.

This directly benefits the seller, as the expanded geographic reach of potential buyers automatically increases competition for specialized lots.

The hybridization of auction formats is therefore on the rise, as simultaneous in-person and live online auctions have become the post-pandemic standard, combining the theatricality of the physical auction room with the global accessibility of the digital channel.

Estate Planning, Inheritance, and Liquidation: Our Auctioneers Are Here to Help

The transfer or liquidation of an art collection is one of the most complex situations an owner may face. Legal, tax, and family constraints, often in an emotionally charged context, can hinder sound estate planning decisions.

The auctioneer thus acts as a trusted, multidisciplinary third party: an expert in the valuation of assets and an officer of the court.

Three distinct situations require a tailored approach: amicable estate settlement (agreement among heirs, negotiated division), contentious estate settlement (disagreement among co-owners, judicial intervention), and voluntary liquidation (the owner’s independent decision to sell all or part of their art collection).

Inventory and Division of the Estate

The estate inventory is the foundational document for any estate transfer procedure involving works of art. It is a legally binding document establishing the exhaustive list and value of the personal property comprising the estate as of the date of death.

The auctioneer conducts a systematic physical examination of each item, including identification, a technical description, a provisional attribution, and an estimate of the market value as of the date of the inventory.

Tax implications are central, as the values recorded in the inventory serve as the basis for calculating estate taxes (a progressive tax rate ranging from 5% to 45% for direct descendants under French law).

Once the inventory is completed, the auctioneer can assist the heirs in grouping items into lots of equivalent value. 

Confidentiality and Anonymity Preserved

The seller remains anonymous in public auctions; the catalog does not disclose the seller’s identity. The phrase “private collection” or “at the seller’s request” is the standard, legally neutral wording universally recognized by the market.

Legal transparency requirements govern confidentiality: the auctioneer is subject to anti-money laundering regulations (European AMLD5 Directive, transposed into French law) and must verify the identity of their clients.

When the collector’s identity is publicly known, it is possible to choose to highlight this provenance as a selling point. 

Entrust your works of art to Auctie’s

Auctie’s experts and auctioneers will provide you with a free online appraisal in less than 24 hours and, if necessary, refer you to another platform if your item is unsuitable for auction.

If you plan to sell, they’ll assist you in arranging transportation or drop-off of your item at our facilities.