NEW YORK CONDITIONS OF SALE
BUYING AT CHRISTIE’S
CONDITIONS OF SALE
These Conditions of Sale and the Important Notices and Explanation of Cataloguing Practice set out the
terms on which we offer the lots listed in this catalogue for sale. By registering to bid and/or by bidding at
auction you agree to these terms, so you should read them carefully before doing so. You will find a glossary
at the end explaining the meaning of the words and expressions colored in bold.
Unless we own a lot in whole or in part, Christie’s acts as agent for the seller.
A • BEFORE THE SALE
1 • DESCRIPTION OF LOTS
(a) Certain words used in the catalogue description have special meanings. You can find details of these
on the page headed “Important Notices and Explanation of Cataloguing Practice” which forms part of
these terms. You can find a key to the Symbols found next to certain catalogue entries under the section
of the catalogue called “Explanation of Symbols”.
(b) Our description of any lot in the catalogue, any condition report and any other statement made by us
(whether orally or in writing) about any lot, including about its nature or condition, artist, period,
materials, approximate dimensions, or provenance are our opinion and not to be relied upon as a
statement of fact. We do not carry out in-depth research of the sort carried out by professional
historians and scholars. All dimensions and weights are approximate only.
2 • OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR DESCRIPTION OF LOTS
We do not provide any guarantee in relation to the nature of a lot apart from our authenticity warranty
contained in paragraph E2 and to the extent provided in paragraph I below.
3 • CONDITION
(a) The condition of lots sold in our auctions can vary widely due to factors such as age, previous damage,
restoration, repair and wear and tear. Their nature means that they will rarely be in perfect condition.
Lots are sold “as is,” in the condition they are in at the time of the sale, without any representation or
warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to condition by Christie’s or by the seller.
(b) Any reference to condition in a catalogue entry or in a condition report will not amount to a full
description of condition, and images may not show a lot clearly. Colors and shades may look different
in print or on screen to how they look on physical inspection. Condition reports may be available to
help you evaluate the condition of a lot. Condition reports are provided free of charge as a
convenience to our buyers and are for guidance only. They offer our opinion, but they may not refer to
all faults, inherent defects, restoration, alteration or adaptation because our staff are not professional
restorers or conservators. For that reason condition reports are not an alternative to examining a lot
in person or seeking your own professional advice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have
requested, received and considered any condition report.
4 • VIEWING LOTS PRE-AUCTION
(a) If you are planning to bid on a lot, you should inspect it personally or through a knowledgeable
representative before you make a bid to make sure that you accept the description and its condition.
We recommend you get your own advice from a restorer or other professional adviser.
(b) Pre-auction viewings are open to the public free of charge. Our specialists may be available to answer
questions at pre-auction viewings or by appointment.
5 • ESTIMATES
Estimates are based on the condition, rarity, quality and provenance of the lots and on prices recently
paid at auction for similar property. Estimates can change. Neither you, nor anyone else, may rely on any
estimates as a prediction or guarantee of the actual selling price of a lot or its value for any other purpose.
Estimates do not include the buyer’s premium or any applicable taxes.
6 • WITHDRAWAL
Christie’s may, at its option, withdraw any lot from auction at any time prior to or during the sale of the lot.
Christie’s has no liability to you for any decision to withdraw.
7 • JEWELLERY
(a) Colored gemstones (such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds) may have been treated to improve their
look, through methods such as heating and oiling. These methods are accepted by the international
jewellery trade but may make the gemstone less strong and/or require special care over time.
(b) It will not be apparent to us whether a diamond is naturally or synthetically formed unless it has been
tested by a gemmological laboratory. Where the diamond has been tested, a gemmological report will
be available.
(c) All types of gemstones may have been improved by some method. You may request a gemmological
report for any item which does not have a report if the request is made to us at least three weeks before
the date of the auction and you pay the fee for the report.
(d) Certain weights in the catalogue description are provided for guidance purposes only as they have been
estimated through measurement and, as such, should not be relied upon as exact.
(e) We do not obtain a gemmological report for every gemstone sold in our auctions. Where we do get
gemmological reports from internationally accepted gemmological laboratories, such reports will be
described in the catalogue. Reports from American gemmological laboratories will describe any
improvement or treatment to the gemstone. Reports from European gemmological laboratories will
describe any improvement or treatment only if we request that they do so, but will confirm when no
improvement or treatment has been made. Because of differences in approach and technology,
laboratories may not agree whether a particular gemstone has been treated, the amount of treatment
or whether treatment is permanent. The gemmological laboratories will only report on the
improvements or treatments known to the laboratories at the date of the report. We do not guarantee
nor are we responsible for any report or certificate from a gemmological laboratory that may
accompany a lot.
(f) For jewellery sales, estimates are based on the information in any gemmological report or, if no report
is available, assume that the gemstones may have been treated or enhanced.
8 • WATCHES & CLOCKS
(a) Almost all clocks and watches are repaired in their lifetime and may include parts which are not
original. We do not give a warranty that any individual component part of any watch is authentic.
Watchbands described as “associated” are not part of the original watch and may not be authentic.
Any presentation box that accompanies the lot may not be the original “fitted box”. Clocks may be sold
without pendulums, weights or keys.
(b) As collectors’ watches often have very fine and complex mechanisms, you are responsible for any
general service, change of battery, or further repair work that may be necessary. We do not give a
warranty that any watch is in good working order or whether it can be accepted for service or serviced
by its manufacturer. Certificates are not available unless described in the catalogue.
(c) Most wristwatches have been opened to find out the type and quality of movement. For that reason,
wristwatches with water resistant cases may not be waterproof and we recommend you have them
checked by a competent watchmaker before use. Important information about the sale, transport and
shipping of watches and watchbands can be found in paragraph H2(f).
B • REGISTERING TO BID
1 • NEW BIDDERS
(a) If this is your first time bidding at Christie’s or you are a returning bidder who has not bought anything
from any of our salerooms within the last two years you must register at least 48 hours before an
auction begins to give us enough time to process and approve your registration. We may, at our option,
decline to permit you to register as a bidder. You will be asked for the following:
(i) for individuals: Photo identification (driver’s license, national identity card, or passport) and,
if not shown on the ID document, proof of your current address (for example, a current utility
bill or bank statement);
(ii) for corporate clients: Your Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent document(s) showing
your name and registered address together with documentary proof of directors and
beneficial owners; and
(iii) for trusts, partnerships, offshore companies and other business structures, please contact us
in advance to discuss our requirements.
(b) We may also ask you to give us a financial reference and/or a deposit as a condition of allowing you to
bid.
2 • RETURNING BIDDERS
As described in paragraph B(1) above, we may at our option ask you for current identification, a financial
reference, or a deposit as a condition of allowing you to bid.
3 • IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT DOCUMENTS
If in our opinion you do not satisfy our bidder identification and registration procedures including, but not
limited to completing any anti-money laundering and/or anti-terrorism financing checks we may require
to our satisfaction, we may refuse to register you to bid, and if you make a successful bid, we may cancel
the contract for sale between you and the seller.
4 • BIDDING ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON
If you are bidding on behalf of another person, that person will need to complete the registration
requirements above before you can bid and supply a signed letter authorizing you to bid for him/her. A
bidder accepts personal liability to pay the purchase price and all other sums due unless it has been agreed
in writing with Christie’s, before commencement of the auction, that the bidder is acting as an agent on
behalf of a named third party acceptable to Christie’s and that Christie’s will only seek payment from the
named third party.
5 • BIDDING IN PERSON
If you wish to bid in the saleroom you must register for a numbered bidding paddle at least 30 minutes
before the auction. You may register online at www.christies.com or in person.
6 • BIDDING SERVICES
The bidding services described below are a free service offered as a convenience to our clients and
Christie’s is not responsible for any error (human or otherwise), omission, or breakdown in providing these
services.
(a) Phone Bids
Your request for this service must be made no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. We will accept bids
by telephone for lots only if our staff are available to take the bids. If you need to bid in a language other
than in English, you must arrange this well before the auction. We may record telephone bids. By bidding
on the telephone, you are agreeing to us recording your conversations. You also agree that your telephone
bids are governed by these Conditions of Sale.
(b)Internet Bids on Christie’s LIVE™
For certain auctions we will accept bids over the Internet. For more information, please visit
https://www.christies.com/buying-services/buying-guide/register-and-bid/. As well as these
Conditions of Sale, internet bids are governed by the Christie’s LIVE™ Terms of Use which are available at
https://www.christies.com/LiveBidding/OnlineTermsOfUse.aspx.
(c) Written Bids
You can find a Written Bid Form at any Christie’s office, or by choosing the sale and viewing the lots online
at www.christies.com. We must receive your completed Written Bid at least 24 hours before the auction.
Bids must be placed in the currency of the saleroom. The auctioneer will take reasonable steps to carry
out written bids at the lowest possible price, taking into account the reserve. If you make a written bid on
a lot which does not have a reserve and there is no higher bid than yours, we will bid on your behalf at
around 50% of the low estimate or, if lower, the amount of your bid. If we receive written bids on a lot for
identical amounts, and at the auction these are the highest bids on the lot, we will sell the lot to the bidder
whose written bid we received first.
C • CONDUCTING THE SALE
1 • WHO CAN ENTER THE AUCTION
We may, at our option, refuse admission to our premises or decline to permit participation in any auction
or to reject any bid.
2 • RESERVES
Unless otherwise indicated, all lots are subject to a reserve. We identify lots that are offered without a
reserve with the symbol • next to the lot number. The reserve cannot be more than the lot’s low estimate,
unless the lot is subject to a third party guarantee and the irrevocable bid exceeds the printed low
estimate. In that case, the reserve will be set at the amount of the irrevocable bid. Lots which are subject
to a third party guarantee arrangement are identified with the symbol °◆ on christies.com.
3 • AUCTIONEER’S DISCRETION
The auctioneer can at their sole option:
(a) refuse any bid;
(b) move the bidding backwards or forwards in any way they may decide, or change the order of the lots;
(c) withdraw any lot;
(d) divide any lot or combine any two or more lots;
(e) reopen or continue the bidding even after the hammer has fallen; and
(f) in the case of error or dispute related to bidding and whether during or after the auction, continue the
bidding, determine the successful bidder, cancel the sale of the lot, or reoffer and resell any lot. If you
believe that the auctioneer has accepted the successful bid in error, you must provide a written notice
detailing your claim within 3 business days of the date of the auction. The auctioneer will consider
such claim in good faith. If the auctioneer, in the exercise of their discretion under this paragraph,
decides after the auction is complete, to cancel the sale of a lot, or reoffer and resell a lot, they will
notify the successful bidder no later than by the end of the 7th calendar day following the date of the
auction. The auctioneer’s decision in exercise of this discretion is final. This paragraph does not in any
way prejudice Christie’s ability to cancel the sale of a lot under any other applicable provision of these
Conditions of Sale, including the rights of cancellation set forth in paragraphs B(3), E(2)(i), F(4), and
J(1).
4 • BIDDING
The auctioneer accepts bids from:
(a) bidders in the saleroom;
(b) telephone bidders;
(c) internet bidders through Christie’s LIVE™ (as shown above in paragraph B6); and
(d) written bids (also known as absentee bids or commission bids) left with us by a bidder before the
auction.
5 • BIDDING ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER
The auctioneer may, at their sole option, bid on behalf of the seller, including where the seller is the
auctioneer, up to but not including the amount of the reserve either by making consecutive bids or by
making bids in response to other bidders. The auctioneer will not identify these as bids made on behalf of
the seller and will not make any bid on behalf of the seller at or above the reserve. If lots are offered without
reserve, the auctioneer will generally decide to open the bidding at 50% of the low estimate for the lot.
If no bid is made at that level, the auctioneer may decide to go backwards at their sole option until a bid is
made, and then continue up from that amount. In the event that there are no bids on a lot, the auctioneer
may deem such lot unsold.
6 • BID INCREMENTS
Bidding generally starts below the low estimate and increases in steps (bid increments). The auctioneer
will decide at their sole option where the bidding should start and the bid increments.
7 • CURRENCY CONVERTER
The saleroom video screens (and Christies LIVE™) may show bids in some other major currencies as well
as US dollars. Any conversion is for guidance only and we cannot be bound by any rate of exchange used.
Christie’s is not responsible for any error (human or otherwise), omission or breakdown in providing these
services.
8 • SUCCESSFUL BIDS
Unless the auctioneer decides to use their discretion as set out in paragraph C3 above, when the
auctioneer’s hammer strikes, we have accepted the last bid. This means a contract for sale has been formed
between the seller and the successful bidder. We will issue an invoice only to the registered bidder who
made the successful bid. While we send out invoices by mail and/or email after the auction, we do not
accept responsibility for telling you whether or not your bid was successful. If you have bid by written bid,
you should contact us by telephone or in person as soon as possible after the auction to get details of the
outcome of your bid to avoid having to pay unnecessary storage charges.
9 • LOCAL BIDDING LAWS
You agree that when bidding in any of our sales that you will strictly comply with all local laws and
regulations in force at the time of the sale for the relevant sale site.
D • THE BUYER’S PREMIUM AND TAXES
1 • THE BUYER’S PREMIUM
In addition to the hammer price, the successful bidder agrees to pay us a buyer’s premium on the
hammer price of each lot sold. On all lots we charge 28% of the hammer price up to and including
US $2,000,000, 22.0% on that part of the hammer price over US $2,000,000 and up to and including
US$8,000,000, and 15.0% of that part of the hammer price above US$8,000,000.
2 • TAXES
The successful bidder is responsible for any applicable taxes including any sales or use tax or equivalent
tax wherever such taxes may arise on the hammer price, the buyer’s premium, and/or any other charges
related to the lot.
For lots Christie’s ships to or within the United States, a sales or use tax may be due on the hammer price,
buyer’s premium, and/or any other charges related to the lot, regardless of the nationality or citizenship
of the successful bidder. Christie’s will collect sales tax where legally required. The applicable sales tax rate
will be determined based upon the state, county, or locale to which the lot will be shipped. Christie’s shall
collect New York sales tax at a rate of 8.875% for any lot collected from Christie’s in New York.
In accordance with New York law, if Christie’s arranges the shipment of a lot out of New York State, New
York sales tax does not apply, although sales tax or other applicable taxes for other states may apply. If you
hire a shipper (other than a common carrier authorized by Christie’s or as set forth in the next sentence),
to collect the lot from a Christie’s New York location, Christie’s must collect New York sales tax on the lot
at a rate of 8.875% regardless of the ultimate destination of the lot. Christie’s will not collect a United
States-based sales tax if: (i) you hire a federally-certified freight forwarder; (ii) that freight forwarder is
able to provide Christie’s with at least one of the following designations or certifications:(1) a valid indirect
air carrier (IAC) number, (2) an International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification, or (3) a
certified cargo screening facilities (CCSF) certification; and (iii) Christie’s has received an executed bill of
lading demonstrating that the lot will be shipped outside of the United States.
If Christie’s delivers the lot to, or the lot is collected by, any framer, restorer or other similar service
provider in New York that you have hired, New York law considers the lot delivered to the successful bidder
in New York and New York sales tax must be imposed regardless of the ultimate destination of the lot. In
this circumstance, New York sales tax will apply to the lot even if Christie’s or a common carrier (authorized
by Christie’s that you hire) subsequently delivers the lot outside New York.
Successful bidders claiming an exemption from sales tax must provide appropriate documentation to
Christie’s prior to the release of the lot or within 90 days after the sale, whichever is earlier. For shipments
to those states for which Christie’s is not required to collect sales tax, a successful bidder may have a use or
similar tax obligation. It is the successful bidder’s responsibility to pay all taxes due. Christie’s recommends
you consult your own independent tax advisor with any questions.
E • WARRANTIES
1 • SELLER’S WARRANTIES
For each lot, the seller gives a warranty that the seller:
(a) is the owner of the lot or a joint owner of the lot acting with the permission of the other co-owners or,
if the seller is not the owner or a joint owner of the lot, has the permission of the owner to sell the lot,
or the right to do so in law; and
(b) has the right to transfer ownership of the lot to the buyer without any restrictions or claims by anyone
else.
(c) If either of the above warranties are incorrect, the seller shall not have to pay more than the purchase
price (as defined in paragraph F1(a) below) paid by you to us. The seller will not be responsible to you
for any reason for loss of profits or business, expected savings, loss of opportunity or interest, costs,
damages, other damages or expenses. The seller gives no warranty in relation to any lot other than
as set out above and, as far as the seller is allowed by law, all warranties from the seller to you, and all
other obligations upon the seller which may be added to this agreement by law, are excluded.
2 • OUR AUTHENTICITY WARRANTY
We warrant, subject to the terms below, that the lots in our sales are authentic (our “authenticity
warranty”). If, within 5 years of the date of the auction, you give notice to us that your lot is not authentic,
subject to the terms below, we will refund the purchase price paid by you. The meaning of authentic can
be found in the glossary at the end of these Conditions of Sale. The terms of the authenticity warranty are
as follows:
(a) It will be honored for claims notified within a period of 5 years from the date of the auction. After such
time, we will not be obligated to honor the authenticity warranty.
(b) It is given only for information shown in UPPERCASE type in the first line of the catalogue description
(the “Heading”). It does not apply to any information other than in the Heading even if shown in
UPPERCASE type.
(c) The authenticity warranty does not apply to any Heading or part of a Heading which is qualified.
Qualified means limited by a clarification in a lot’s catalogue description or by the use in a Heading
of one of the terms listed in the section titled Qualified Headings on the page of the catalogue headed
“Important Notices and Explanation of Cataloguing Practice”. For example, use of the term
“ATTRIBUTED TO…” in a Heading means that the lot is in Christie’s opinion probably a work by the
named artist but no warranty is provided that the lot is the work of the named artist. Please read the
full list of Qualified Headings and a lot’s full catalogue description before bidding.
(d) The authenticity warranty applies to the Heading as amended by any Saleroom notice.
(e) The authenticity warranty does not apply where scholarship has developed since the auction leading
to a change in generally accepted opinion. Further, it does not apply if the Heading either matched the
generally accepted opinion of experts at the date of the auction or drew attention to any conflict of
opinion.
(f) The authenticity warranty does not apply if the lot can only be shown not to be authentic by a
scientific process which, on the date we published the catalogue, was not available or generally
accepted for use, or which was unreasonably expensive or impractical, or which was likely to have
damaged
the lot.
(g) The benefit of the authenticity warranty is only available to the original buyer shown on the invoice
for the lot issued at the time of the sale and only if on the date of the notice of claim, the original buyer
is the full owner of the lot and the lot is free from any claim, interest or restriction by anyone else. The
benefit of this authenticity warranty may not be transferred to anyone else.
(h) In order to claim under the authenticity warranty you must:
(i) give us written notice of your claim within 5 years of the date of the auction. We may require
full details and supporting evidence of any such claim;
(ii) at Christie’s option, we may require you to provide the written opinions of two recognized
experts in the field of the lot mutually agreed by you and us in advance confirming that the lot
is not authentic. If we have any doubts, we reserve the right to obtain additional opinions at
our expense; and
(iii) return the lot at your expense to the saleroom from which you bought it in the condition it
was in at the time of sale.
(i) Your only right under this authenticity warranty is to cancel the sale and receive a refund of the
purchase price paid by you to us. We will not, under any circumstances, be required to pay you more
than the purchase price nor will we be liable for any loss of profits or business, loss of opportunity or
value, expected savings or interest, costs, damages, other damages or expenses.
(j) Books. Where the lotis a book, we give an additional warranty for 21 days from the date of the auction
that if any lot is defective in text or illustration, we will refund your purchase price, subject to the
following terms:
(a) This additional warranty does not apply to:
(i) the absence of blanks, half titles, tissue guards or advertisements, damage in respect of
bindings, stains, spotting, marginal tears or other defects not affecting completeness of the text
or illustration;
(ii) drawings, autographs, letters or manuscripts, signed photographs, music, atlases, maps or
periodicals;
(iii) books not identified by title;
(iv) lots sold without a printed estimate;
(v) books which are described in the catalogue as sold not subject to return; or
(vi) defects stated in any condition report or announced at the time of sale.
(b) To make a claim under this paragraph you must give written details of the defect and return the
lot to the sale room at which you bought it in the same condition as at the time of sale, within 21 days
of the date of the sale.
(k)South East Asian Modern and Contemporary Art and Chinese Calligraphy and Painting.
In these categories, the authenticity warranty does not apply because current scholarship does not
permit the making of definitive statements. Christie’s does, however, agree to cancel a sale in either of
these two categories of art where it has been proven the lot is a forgery. Christie’s will refund to the
original buyer the purchase price in accordance with the terms of Christie’s Authenticity warranty,
provided that the original buyer notifies us with full supporting evidence documenting the forgery
claim within twelve (12) months of the date of the auction. Such evidence must be satisfactory to us
that the property is a forgery in accordance with paragraph E2(h)(ii) above and the property must be
returned to us in accordance with paragraph E2(h)(iii) above. Paragraphs E2(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and
(g) and (i) also apply to a claim under these categories.
(l) Chinese, Japanese and Korean artefacts (excluding Chinese, Japanese and Korean calligraphy,
paintings, prints, drawings and jewellery).
In these categories, paragraph E2(b) – (e) above shall be amended so that where no maker or artist is
identified, the authenticity warranty is given not only for the Heading but also for information
regarding date or period shown in UPPERCASE type in the second line of the catalogue description
(the “Subheading”). Accordingly, all references to the Heading in paragraph E2(b) – (e) above shall
be read as references to both the Heading and the Subheading.
3 • NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPHS E1 AND E2 ABOVE, NEITHER THE SELLER NOR THE
CHRISTIE’S GROUP MAKE ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN, WITH
RESPECT TO THE LOT, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EACH OF WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.
4 • YOUR WARRANTIES
(a) You warrant that the funds used for settlement are not connected with any criminal activity, including
tax evasion, and you are neither under investigation, nor have you been charged with or convicted of
money laundering, terrorist activities or other crimes.
(b) Where you are bidding on behalf of another person, you warrant that:
(i) you have conducted appropriate customer due diligence on the ultimate buyer(s) of the lot(s)
in accordance with all applicable anti-money laundering and sanctions laws, consent to us
relying on this due diligence, and you will retain for a period of not less than 5 years the
documentation evidencing the due diligence. You will make such documentation promptly
available for immediate inspection by an independent third-party auditor upon our written
request to do so;
(ii) the arrangements between you and the ultimate buyer(s) in relation to the lot or otherwise
do not, in whole or in part, facilitate tax crimes;
(iii) you do not know, and have no reason to suspect, that the funds used for settlement are
connected with, the proceeds of any criminal activity, including tax evasion, or that the
ultimate buyer(s) are under investigation, or have been charged with or convicted of money
laundering, terrorist activities or other crimes.
F • PAYMENT
1 • HOW TO PAY
(a) Immediately following the auction, you must pay the purchase price being:
(i) the hammer price; and
(ii) the buyer’s premium; and
(iii) any applicable duties, goods, sales, use, compensating or service tax, or VAT.
Payment is due no later than by the end of the 7th calendar day following the date of the auction (the “due
date”).
(b) We will only accept payment from the registered bidder. Once issued, we cannot change the buyer’s
name on an invoice or re-issue the invoice in a different name. You must pay immediately even if you
want to export the lot and you need an export license.
(c) You must pay for lots bought at Christie’s in the United States in the currency stated on the invoice in
one of the following ways:
(i) Wire transfer
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017;
ABA# 021000021; FBO: Christie’s Inc.;
Account # 957-107978,
for international transfers, SWIFT: CHASUS33.
(ii) Credit Card
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and China Union Pay. Credit card payments at
the New York premises will only be accepted for New York sales. Christie’s will not accept
credit card payments for purchases in any other sale site.
(iii) Cash
We accept cash payments (including money orders and traveller’s checks) for sales in New
York, subject to a maximum aggregate limit of US$500 per buyer per year.
(iv) Bank Checks
You must make these payable to Christie’s Inc. and there may be conditions. Once we have
deposited your check, property cannot be released until five business days have passed.
(v) Checks
You must make checks payable to Christie’s Inc. and they must be drawn from US dollar
accounts from a US bank.
(vi) Cryptocurrency
With the exception of clients resident in Mainland China, payment for a lot marked with the
symbol ❖ may be made in a cryptocurrency or cryptocurrencies of our choosing. Payment by
cryptocurrency is at our sole discretion and subject to our due diligence process. If we do not
approve your payment by cryptocurrency, you mut pay in one of the ways outlined in (c)(i) –
(v).
(d) You must quote the sale number, your invoice number and client number when making a payment.
All payments sent by post must be sent to:
Christie’s Inc. Post-Sale Services,
20 Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020.
2 • TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP TO YOU
You will not own the lot and ownership of the lot will not pass to you until we have received full and clear
payment of the purchase price, even in circumstances where we have released the lot to you.
3 • TRANSFERRING RISK TO YOU
The risk in and responsibility for the lot will transfer to you from whichever is the earlier of the following:
(a) When you collect the lot; or
(b) At the end of the 30th day following the date of the auction or, if earlier, the date the lot is taken into
care by a third-party warehouse as set out on the page headed ‘Storage and Collection’, unless we have
agreed otherwise with you.
4 • WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT PAY
(a) If you fail to pay us the purchase price in full by the due date, we will be entitled to do one or more of
the following (as well as enforce our rights under paragraph F5 and any other rights or remedies we
have by law):
(i) we can charge interest from the due date at a rate of up to 1.34% per month on the unpaid
amount due;
(ii) we can cancel the sale of the lot. If we do this, we may sell the lot again, publicly or privately
on such terms we shall think necessary or appropriate, in which case you must pay us any
shortfall between the purchase price and the proceeds from the resale. You must also pay all
costs, expenses, losses, damages and legal fees we have to pay or may suffer and any shortfall
in the seller’s commission on the resale;
(iii) we can pay the seller an amount up to the net proceeds payable in respect of the amount bid
by your default in which case you acknowledge and understand that Christie’s will have all of
the rights of the seller to pursue you for such amounts;
(iv) we can hold you legally responsible for the purchase price and may begin legal proceedings
to recover it together with other losses, interest, legal fees and costs as far as we are allowed
by law;
(v) we can take what you owe us from any amounts which we or any company in the Christie’s
Group may owe you (including any deposit or other part-payment which you have paid to
us);
(vi) we can, at our option, reveal your identity and contact details to the seller;
(vii) we can reject at any future auction any bids made by or on behalf of the buyer or to obtain a
deposit from the buyer before accepting any bids;
(viii)we can exercise all the rights and remedies of a person holding security over any property in
our possession owned by you, whether by way of pledge, security interest or in any other way
as permitted by the law of the place where such property is located. You will be deemed to
have granted such security to us and we may retain such property as collateral security for
your obligations to us; and
(ix) we can take any other action we see necessary or appropriate.
(b) If you owe money to us or to another Christie’s Group company, we can use any amount you do pay,
including any deposit or other part-payment you have made to us, or which we owe you, to pay off any
amount you owe to us or another Christie’s Group company for any transaction.
5 • KEEPING YOUR PROPERTY
If you owe money to us or to another Christie’s Group company, as well as the rights set out in F4 above,
we can use or deal with any of your property we hold or which is held by another Christie’s Group
company in any way we are allowed to by law. We will only release your property to you after you pay us
or the relevant Christie’s Group company in full for what you owe. However, if we choose, we can also sell
your property in any way we think appropriate. We will use the proceeds of the sale against any amounts
you owe us and we will pay any amount left from that sale to you. If there is a shortfall, you must pay us
any difference between the amount we have received from the sale and the amount you owe us.
G • COLLECTION AND STORAGE
(a) You must collect purchased lots within seven days from the auction (but note that lots will not be
released to you until you have made full and clear payment of all amounts due to us).
(b) If you do not collect any lot within 90 days following the auction we may, at our option
(i) charge you storage costs at the rates set out at www.christies.com/en/help/buyingguide/storage-fees.
(ii) move the lot to another Christie’s location or an affiliate or third-party warehouse and charge
you transport costs and administration fees for doing so and you will be subject to the third
party storage warehouse’s standard terms and to pay for their standard fees and costs.
(iii) sell the lot in any commercially reasonable way we think appropriate.
(c) The Storage conditions which can be found at www.christies.com/en/help/buying-guide/storageconditions will apply.
(d) If you do not collect the lot within 90 calendar days of the auction and Christie’s exercises its rights
under paragraph G(b) above, the lot will be deemed delivered in New York and therefore subject to
New York state and local sales tax. For shipments booked and paid for prior to 90 calendar days of the
auction, sales tax will be determined based on the guidance set forth in paragraph D(2).
(e) Nothing in this paragraph is intended to limit our rights under paragraph F4.
H • TRANSPORT AND SHIPPING
1 • SHIPPING
We would be happy to assist in making shipping arrangements on request. You must make all transport
and shipping arrangements. However, we can arrange to pack, transport, and ship your property if you ask
us to and pay the costs of doing so. We recommend that you ask us for an estimate, especially for any large
items or items of high value that need professional packing. We may also suggest other handlers, packers,
transporters, or experts if you ask us to do so.See the information set out at https://www.christies.com/buyingservices/buying-guide/ship/ or contact us at PostSaleUS@christies.com. We will take reasonable care
when we are handling, packing, transporting, and shipping. However, if we recommend another company
for any of these purposes, we are not responsible for their acts, failure to act, or neglect.
2 • EXPORT AND IMPORT
Any lot sold at auction may be affected by laws on exports from the country in which it is sold and the
import restrictions of other countries. Many countries require a declaration of export for property leaving
the country and/or an import declaration on entry of property into the country. Local laws may prevent
you from importing a lot or may prevent you selling a lot in the country you import it into.
(a) You alone are responsible for getting advice about and meeting the requirements of any laws or
regulations which apply to exporting or importing any lot prior to bidding. If you are refused a license
or there is a delay in getting one, you must still pay us in full for the lot. We may be able to help you
apply for the appropriate licenses if you ask us to and pay our fee for doing so. However, we cannot
guarantee that you will get one.
See the information set out at https://www.christies.com/buying-services/buying-guide/ship/ or
contact us at PostSaleUS@christies.com.
(b) You alone are responsible for any applicable taxes, tariffs or other government-imposed charges
relating to the export or import of the lot. If Christie’s exports or imports the lot on your behalf, and if
Christie’s pays these applicable taxes, tariffs or other government-imposed charges, you agree to
refund that amount to Christie’s.
(c) Endangered and protected species
Lots made of or including (regardless of the percentage) endangered and other protected species of
wildlife are marked with the symbol ~ in the catalogue. This material includes, among other things,
ivory, tortoiseshell, whalebone, certain species of coral, Brazilian rosewood, crocodile, alligator and
ostrich skins. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on any lot
containing wildlife material if you plan to export the lot from the country in which the lot is sold and
import it into another country as a licence may be required. In some cases, the lot can only be shipped
with an independent scientific confirmation of species and/or age, and you will need to obtain these at
your own cost. Several countries have imposed restrictions on dealing in elephant ivory, ranging from
a total ban on importing African elephant ivory in the United States to importing, exporting and selling
under strict measures in other countries. Handbags containing endangered or protected species
material are marked with the symbol ≈ and further information can be found in paragraph H2(h)
below. We will not be obliged to cancel your purchase and refund the purchase price if your lot may
not be exported, imported or it is seized for any reason by a government authority. It is your
responsibility to determine and satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations relating
to the export or import of property containing such protected or regulated material.
(d) Lots containing Ivory or materials resembling ivory
If a lot contains elephant ivory, or any other wildlife material that could be confused with elephant
ivory (for example, mammoth ivory, walrus ivory, helmeted hornbill ivory) you may be prevented from
exporting the lot from the US or shipping it between US States without first confirming its species by
way of a rigorous scientific test acceptable to the applicable Fish and Wildlife authorities. You will buy
that lot at your own risk and be responsible for any scientific test or other reports required for export
from the United States or between US States at your own cost. We will not be obliged to cancel your
purchase and refund the purchase price if your lot may not be exported, imported or shipped between
US States, or it is seized for any reason by a government authority. It is your responsibility to determine
and satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations relating to interstate shipping,
export or import of property containing such protected or
regulated material.
(e) Lots of Iranian origin
As a convenience to buyers, Christie’s indicates under the title of a lot if the lot originates from Iran
(Persia). Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase, import and/or export of Iranian-origin
property. It is your responsibility to ensure you do not bid on, import, or export a lot in contravention
of any sanctions, trade embargoes or other laws that apply to you. For example, the United States
prohibits dealings in, import, and export of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such
as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence.
Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, may enable
a buyer to export this type of lot out of the United States. If you use Christie’s general OFAC licence for
this purpose, you agree to comply with the licence conditions and provide Christie’s with all relevant
information. You also acknowledge that Christie’s will disclose your personal information and your use
of the licence to OFAC.
(f) Gold
Gold of less than 18ct does not qualify in all countries as ‘gold’ and may be refused import into those
countries as ‘gold’.
(g) Watches
Many of the watches offered for sale in this catalogue are pictured with straps made of endangered or
protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These lots are marked with the symbol Ψ in
the catalogue. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for
sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites,
Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of
the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the auction.
Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.
(h) Handbags
A lot marked with the symbol ≈ next to the lot number includes endangered or protected species
material and is subject to CITES regulations. This lot may only be shipped to an address within the
country of the sale site or personally picked up from our saleroom. Please note, Christie’s cannot
facilitate the shipment of any lot containing python, alligator or crocodile into the State of California.
The term “hardware” refers to the metallic parts of the handbag, such as the buckle hardware, base
studs, lock and keys and/or strap, which are plated with a colored finish (e.g. gold, silver, palladium).
The terms “Gold Hardware”, “Silver Hardware”, “Palladium Hardware”, etc. refer to the tone or color of
the hardware and not the actual material used. If the handbag incorporates solid metal hardware, this
will be referenced in the catalogue description.
For all symbols and other markings referred to in paragraph H2, please note that lots are marked as a
convenience to you, but we do not accept liability for errors or for failing to mark lots. For the most up to
date sale information for a lot, please see the full lot description, which can be accessed through the sale
landing page on christies.com.
I • OUR LIABILITY TO YOU
(a) We give no warranty in relation to any statement made, or information given, by us or our
representatives or employees, about any lot other than as set out in the authenticity warranty and,
as far as we are allowed by law, all warranties and other terms which may be added to this agreement
by law are excluded. The seller’s warranties contained in paragraph E1 are their own and we do not
have any liability to you in relation to those warranties.
(b) (i) We are not responsible to you for any reason (whether for breaking this agreement or any other
matter relating to your purchase of, or bid for, any lot) other than in the event of fraud or fraudulent
misrepresentation by us or other than as expressly set out in these conditions of sale; and (ii) we do
not give any representation, warranty or guarantee or assume any liability of any kind in respect of
any lot with regard to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality,
condition, attribution, authenticity, rarity, importance, medium, provenance, exhibition history,
literature, or historical relevance. Except as required by local law, any warranty of any kind is excluded
by this paragraph.
(c) In particular, please be aware that our written and telephone bidding services, Christie’s LIVE™,
condition reports, currency converter and saleroom video screens are free services and we are not
responsible to you for any error (human or otherwise), omission or breakdown in these services.
(d) We have no responsibility to any person other than a buyer in connection with the purchase of any lot.
(e) If, in spite of the terms in paragraphs I(a) to (d) or E2(i) above, we are found to be liable to you for any
reason, we shall not have to pay more than the purchase price paid by you to us. We will not be
responsible to you for any reason for loss of profits or business, loss of opportunity or value, expected
savings or interest, costs, other damages, or expenses.
J • OTHER TERMS
1 • OUR ABILITY TO CANCEL
In addition to the other rights of cancellation contained in this agreement, we can cancel a sale of a lot if :
(i) any of your warranties in paragraph E4 are not correct; (ii) we reasonably believe that completing the
transaction is, or may be, unlawful; or (iii) we reasonably believe that the sale places us or the seller under
any liability to anyone else or may damage our reputation.
2 • RECORDINGS
We may videotape and record proceedings at any auction. We will keep any personal information
confidential, except to the extent disclosure is required by law. However, we may, through this process, use
or share these recordings with another Christie’s Group company and marketing partners to analyze our
customers and to help us to tailor our services for buyers. If you do not want to be videotaped, you may
make arrangements to make a telephone or written bid or bid on Christie’s LIVE™ instead. Unless we agree
otherwise in writing, you may not videotape or record proceedings at any auction.
3 • COPYRIGHT
We own the copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for us relating to a
lot(including the contents of our catalogues unless otherwise noted in the catalogue). You cannot use them
without our prior written permission. We do not offer any guarantee that you will gain any copyright or
other reproduction rights to the lot.
4 • ENFORCING THIS AGREEMENT
If a court finds that any part of this agreement is not valid or is illegal or impossible to enforce, that part of
the agreement will be treated as being deleted and the rest of this agreement will not be affected.
5 • TRANSFERRING YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You may not grant a security over or transfer your rights or responsibilities under these terms on the
contract of sale with the buyer unless we have given our written permission. This agreement will be binding
on your successors or estate and anyone who takes over your rights and responsibilities.
6 • TRANSLATIONS
If we have provided a translation of this agreement, we will use this original version in deciding any issues
or disputes which arise under this agreement.
7 • PERSONAL INFORMATION
We will hold and process your personal information and may pass it to another Christie’s Group company
for use as described in, and in line with, our privacy notice at www.christies.com/about-us/contact/privacy
and if you are a resident of California you can see a copy of our California Consumer Privacy Act statement
at https://www.christies.com/about-us/contact/ccpa.
8 • WAIVER
No failure or delay to exercise any right or remedy provided under these Conditions of Sale shall constitute
a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or
any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall prevent or restrict the
further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
9 • LAW AND DISPUTES
This agreement, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this agreement,
or any other rights you may have relating to the purchase of a lot (the “Dispute”) will be governed by the
laws of New York. Before we or you start any court proceedings (except in the limited circumstances where
the dispute, controversy or claim is related to proceedings brought by someone else and this dispute could
be joined to those proceedings), we agree we will each try to settle the Dispute by mediation submitted to
JAMS, or its successor, for mediation in New York. If the Dispute is not settled by mediation within 60 days
from the date when mediation is initiated, then the Dispute shall be submitted to JAMS, or its successor, for
final and binding arbitration in accordance with its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures or, if
the Dispute involves a non-U.S. party, the JAMS International Arbitration Rules. The seat of the arbitration
shall be New York and the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator, who shall be appointed within
30 days after the initiation of the arbitration. The language used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.
The arbitrator shall order the production of documents only upon a showing that such documents are
relevant and material to the outcome of the Dispute. The arbitration shall be confidential, except to the
extent necessary to enforce a judgment or where disclosure is required by law. The arbitration award shall
be final and binding on all parties involved. Judgment upon the award may be entered by any court having
jurisdiction thereof or having jurisdiction over the relevant party or its assets. This arbitration and any
proceedings conducted hereunder shall be governed by Title 9 (Arbitration) of the United States Code and
by the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of June
10, 1958.
10 • REPORTING ON WWW.CHRISTIES.COM
Details of all lots sold by us, including catalogue descriptions and prices, may be reported on
www.christies.com. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs,
financing fees, or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits. We regret that we cannot agree to requests to
remove these details from www.christies.com.
K • GLOSSARY
auctioneer: the individual auctioneer and/or Christie’s.
authentic: a genuine example, rather than a copy or forgery of:
(i) the work of a particular artist, author or manufacturer, if the lot is described in the Heading as the
work of that artist, author or manufacturer;
(ii) a work created within a particular period or culture, if the lot is described in the Heading as a work
created during that period or culture;
(iii) a work for a particular origin source if the lot is described in the Heading as being of that origin or
source; or
(iv) in the case of gems, a work which is made of a particular material, if the lot is described in the
Heading as being made of that material.
authenticity warranty: the guarantee we give in this agreement that a lot is authentic as set out in
paragraph E2 of this agreement.
buyer’s premium: the charge the buyer pays us along with the hammer price.
catalogue description: the description of a lot in the catalogue for the auction, as amended by any
saleroom notice.
Christie’s Group: Christie’s International Plc, its subsidiaries and other companies within its corporate
group.
condition: the physical condition of a lot.
due date: has the meaning given to it paragraph F1(a).
estimate: the price range included in the catalogue or any saleroom notice within which we believe a lot
may sell. Low estimate means the lower figure in the range and high estimate means the higher figure.
The mid estimate is the midpoint between the two.
hammer price: the amount of the highest bid the auctioneer accepts for the sale of a lot.
Heading: has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2.
lot: an item to be offered at auction (or two or more items to be offered at auction as a group).
other damages: any special, consequential, incidental or indirect damages of any kind or any damages
which fall within the meaning of ‘special’, ‘incidental’ or ‘consequential’ under local law.
purchase price: has the meaning given to it in paragraph F1(a).
provenance: the ownership history of a lot.
qualified: has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2 and Qualified Headings means the paragraph
headed Qualified Headings on the page of the catalogue headed ‘Important Notices and Explanation of
Cataloguing Practice’.
reserve: the confidential amount below which we will not sell a lot.
saleroom notice: a written notice posted next to the lot in the saleroom and on www.christies.com, which
is also read to prospective telephone bidders and notified to clients who have left commission bids, or an
announcement made by the auctioneer either at the beginning of the sale, or before a particular lot is
auctioned.
subheading: has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2.
UPPER CASE type: means having all capital letters.
warranty: a statement or representation in which the person making it guarantees that the facts set out in
it are correct.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
The meaning of words colored in bold in this section can be found in paragraph K, Glossary, of the section
of the catalogue headed ‘Conditions of Sale’.
º Christie’s has provided a minimum price guarantee and has a direct financial interest in the lot. See
Important Notices in the Conditions of Sale for further information.
º♦ Christie’s has provided a minimum price guarantee and has a direct financial interest in the lot.
Christie's has financed all or a part of such interest through a third party. Such third parties generally
benefit financially if a guaranteed lot is sold. See the Important Notices in the Conditions of Sale for further
information.
⇔ A party has provided Christie’s with a bid to cover all or part of Christie’s financial interest in the lot
and may benefit financially from such bid. See the Important Notices in the Conditions of Sale for further
information.
¤ A party with a direct or indirect interest in the lot who may have knowledge of the lot’s reserve or other
material information may be bidding on the lot.
Artist’s Resale Right. See paragraph D3 of the Conditions of Sale for further information.
• Lot offered without reserve.
~ Lot incorporates material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. See
paragraph H2(c) of the Conditions of Sale for further information.
≈ Handbag lot incorporates material from endangered species. International shipping restrictions
apply. See paragraph H2 of the Conditions of Sale for further information.
∝ Lot incorporates elephant ivory material. See paragraph H2 of the Conditions of Sale for further
information.
Lot incorporates material from endangered species which is shown for display purposes only and is
not for sale. See paragraph H2(h) of the Conditions of Sale for further information.
❖ With the exception of clients resident in Mainland China, payment for a lot marked with the symbol ❖
may be made in a cryptocurrency or cryptocurrencies of our choosing. Payment by cryptocurrency is at
our sole discretion and subject to our due diligence process and the Conditions of Sale.
ⱷ Please note that this lot is subject to an import tariff. The amount of the import tariff due is a
percentage of the final hammer price plus buyer’s premium. The buyer should contact Post Sale Services
prior to the sale to determine the estimated amount of this import tariff. If the buyer instructs Christie’s
to arrange shipping of the lot to a foreign address, the buyer will not be required to pay an import tariff,
but the shipment may be delayed while awaiting approval to export from the local government. If the
buyer instructs Christie’s to arrange the shipment of the lot to a domestic address, if the buyer collects
the property in person, or if the buyer arranges their own shipping (whether domestically or
internationally), the buyer will be required to pay the import tariff. For the purpose of calculating sales
tax, if applicable, the import tariff will be added to the final hammer price plus buyer’s premium and sales
tax will be collected as per The Buyer’s Premium and Taxes section of the Conditions of Sale.
■ See Storage and Collection Page.
Please note that lots are marked as a convenience to you and we shall not be liable for any errors in, or
failure to, mark a lot. For the most up to date sale information for a lot, please see the full lot description,
which can be accessed through the sale landing page on christies.com.
