1. The auctions
Auctions are open to the general public, with no obligation to buy.
2. The auction catalogue
Auction estimates in the catalogue are stated in Euros.
Estimates are simple valuations based on an average market price for comparable works of art and on the condition and quality of the object.
Any statement relating to the artist, the date, the origin, the provenience and the condition are just an opinion and not a necessarily factual. Potential buyers are allowed to consult or be accompanied by trusted experts during the viewing days. All information pertaining to the lot, including existing documentation, are given in the description of the same. If this information were not present, it means that the lot does not have specific information. Regarding the jewelry, buyers can ask the Auction House for the written expertise that will be issued by a qualified gemologist.
3. Bidding paddle
Potential buyers must possess a numbered bidding paddle, filling and signing th bidding form with wich they undertake to accept the "terms of sale", considering that the sale might be under video recording.
Anyone acting on behalf of a buyer must show adequate written authorization. All potential buyers, must show a valid form of personal identification, and must use the bidding paddle to indicate to the auctioneer their offers during the auction.
The bidding paddle must be returned to the Auction House at the end of the sale. Upon presenting their written offers or telephone offers, all potential buyers are required to provide the following bank details:
Bank...........................................................................................................................
Branch............................................................ Telephone........................................................
C/C n°......................... ABI.......................... CAB..................... IBAN...............................
and authorize Viscontea Casa d'Aste Srl, in the form of their legal representative, to engage in any types of verification process.
4. Auction rights
The buyer will pay the auction rights - equivalent to 20% of the hammer price.
Please note that any lots purchased live auction service will be subject to an additional 3% commission charge on the hammer price.
5. I.V.A. / VAT
The auction fee is inclusive of VAT - art. 40-bis, D.L. 41/1995, - L. 85/1995.
6. Lots sold by persons subject to VAT
Viscontea Casa d'Aste S.r.l. is acting on behalf of the sellers on the basis of a mandate with representation and therefore does not substitute a third party in accounting reports. Lots sold by persons subject to VAT will be invoiced taking into account the VAT applied by the seller, and will be marked with an asterisk.
7. Lots under judicial proceedings
On lots under judicial proceedings (inheritance, bankruptcy, reclaims etc.) it will be applied a commission of .....%.
If subject to VAT it will applied a rate of 24% on the award. If not subject to VAT it will be charged a commission of 3% by way of registration tax.
8. Written and telephone offers & live bids
Customers can also partecipate trough written offers by filling out the form, attaching a photocopy of a valid identity card and sending the same to Viscontea Casa d'Aste (by post, email, fax or in person) at least 24 hours before the start of the auction.
If the offers in the room are less than a written offer, the lot will be awarded to the latter on the next beat of the highest bid in the room. If there are no offers other than the written offer, the final sale price will be based on initial auction price.
If more written offers are identical, the offer received first will.
If you have a serious interest in one or more lots, you may take part in the auction by telephone by sending your request to Viscontea at least 24 hours before the start of the auction. A member of the Viscontea Auction staff will contact you by telephone during the auction to allow you to partecipate in the bidding. All consistent with number of received and available phone lines. Although the The Auction House will take great care to satisfy your request, does not accept any responsibility for any errors made in attempting to call you. Is a discretion of the Auction House to accept telephone offers for lots with a minimum valuation equal or less than € 500,00. The Auction House, due to the limited number of telephone lines, reserves the right not to accept requests for telephone contacts if they come from customers that in previous occasions have proven not to be really interested in purchasing.
9. Raises
The starting price is usually lower than the estimate given in the catalogue or equal to the lowest rating. Raises are generally 10% on top of the last offer. The auctioneer can at his own discretion vary the raises during the auction.
10. Payments
Full payment for a lot must be made, in Euros, within seven (7) days of the auction by one of the following forms:
- cheque
- wire transfer
- credit or debit card (only on our premises)
- cash (under 3000,00 euro)
11. Collection of lots
All lots paid for as stated above must be (unless agreed otherwise with Viscontea Casa d'Aste) collected within 15 days from the date of sale. We can organize packaging, not shipping.
12. Collection and payment by overseas buyers
In the case where foreign client fwins a lot, Italian law requires the presentation of a free circulation document. This can take approximately 40 days from the date in which the art work is presented. Only when the document has been provided the buyer can collect the goods. Failure to provide the permit, or late presentation of the permit does not result in cancelling of the sale and does not justify late payment from the buyer.
