CONDITIONS FOR BUYERS RESIDING IN ALL COUNTRIES EXCEPT THOSE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IN ASIA
ONLINE - ONLY SALES: AUCTIONS AND BUY-NOW
THE BUYER’S PREMIUM, TAXES AND ARTIST’S RESALE ROYALTY
EXPLANATION OF CATALOGUING PRACTICE
CONDITIONS OF SALE
These Conditions of Sale set out the terms on which Christie’s (also referred to as "we", "us", "our" and "ourselves" in these Conditions of Sale) and the seller offer the lots listed in the Sale Particulars.
Words and expressions which are in bold in these Conditions of Sale have the meaning set out in the glossary which is set out in section J of these Conditions of Sale.
Please read these Conditions of Sale and the Sale Particulars carefully before PLACING ANY BID OR OFFERING TO BUY ANY ITEM USING BUY-NOW. These conditions of sale and the sale particulars set out terms and conditions which will become contractually binding on anyone who registers to bid for an auction and/or places a bid on any Lot in an on-line auction. They also describe certain limitations and exclusions of liability for Christie’s and (where applicable) the third party seller of an item.
By registering and/or by bidding in an auction, or where you (also referred to as the "buyer” “you” and “your” in these Conditions of Sale ) offer to purchase a lot using Buy-Now, you agree to these Conditions of Sale and the Sale Particulars shall be contractually binding on you with Christie’s.
If you make a successful bid for a lot in an auction, or purchase a lot using Buy-Now, these Conditions of Sale and the provisions of the Sale Particulars will form a contract for sale of that lot between you and the seller.
The party who is the seller for the purposes of an auction or Buy-Now sale will depend on who owns thelot at the time the sale is completed. If the lot is owned by Christie’s, we will be the seller. If the item is owned by a third party, the third party owner of the lot will be the seller.
Where the third party is the seller, Christie’s will be selling that lot as the agent of the seller. This means that Christie’s is providing services to the third party seller to help them sell their lot and that Christie’s is concluding the contract for the sale of the lot on behalf of that third party seller.
When Christie’s is the agent of the third party seller, the contract of sale which is created by any successful bid for alot, or by any purchase of a lot using Buy-Now, will be directly between you and the third party seller, and not between you and Christie’s. However, even when the sale is by Christie’s on behalf of the third party seller, Christie’s gives certain undertakings to you directly. These are further described below in these Conditions of Sale.
The Sale Particulars will identify who will be the owner of a lot immediately before the sale is completed: this may either be Christie’s or a third party, whose identity may not be disclosed.
The Sale Particulars will specify where the lot being offered for sale is located. This is important because, amongst other things, it may affect shipping costs, the VAT or sales tax being charged.
1. DESCRIPTION OF LOTS
(a) Certain words used in the Sale Particulars to describe a lot have special meanings. You can find details of these in the Explanation of Cataloguing practice which forms part of these Conditions of Sale following paragraph K. You can find a key to Symbols used in the Sale Particulars under the heading “symbols used in this sale” in paragraph K.
(b) Our description of any lot and 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 honest opinion. In reaching our opinion we use the standard of care a buyer would reasonably expect from an auction house of Christie’s standing taking into account the estimate of the lot. 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. CONDITION
(a) The condition of lots sold can vary widely due to factors such as age, previous damage, restoration, repair and wear and tear. The nature of the lots sold means that they will rarely be in perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of the sale.
(b) Any reference to condition in Sale Particulars will not amount to a full description of condition, and images may not show the condition of a lot clearly. 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 honest opinion but they may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. For that reason they are not an alternative to taking your own professional advice.
3. OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR DESCRIPTION OF LOTS
Information about our responsibility for our description of, and statements about, lots in the Sale Particulars and any condition report can be found in paragraphs E and H.
4. ESTIMATES
Estimates are based on the condition, rarity, quality and provenance of the lot and on prices recently paid at auction for similar property. Estimates can change. Neither you, nor anyone else, may rely on any estimate as a prediction or guarantee of the actual selling price of a lot.
5. JEWELLERY
The following terms and conditions shall apply in relation to the sale of jewellery.
(a) Coloured 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) We do not obtain a gemological report for every gemstone sold in our sales. Where we do get gemological reports from internationally accepted gemological laboratories, such reports will be described in the Sales Particulars. Reports from American gemological laboratories will describe any improvement or treatment to the gemstone. Reports from European gemological 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 gemological laboratories will only report on the improvements or treatments known to the laboratories at the date of the report.
(c) For jewellery sales, estimates are based on the information in any gemological report or, if no report is available, assume that the gemstones may have been treated or enhanced.
6. WATCHES & CLOCKS
The following terms and conditions shall apply in relation to the sale of watches and 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. Clocks may be sold without pendulums, weights or keys.
(b) As collectors’ watches often have very fine and complex mechanisms, a general service, change of battery or further repair work may be necessary, for which you are responsible. We do not give a warranty that any watch is in good working order. Certificates are not available unless described in the Sale Particulars.
(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.
See Section G2(g) for information on transport and shipping of watches and watchbands.
7. WINE
The following terms and conditions shall apply in relation to the sale of wine.
(a) Wines may only be sold and delivered to persons over the age specified in the Sale Particulars. By registering to bid, you affirm that you are at least that age. Any wines delivered or shipped to you or your agent must be received and signed for by an adult who is at least that age. The buyer is responsible for paying any shipping charges if property is returned to the seller/Christie’s due to the recipient’s failure to provide positive proof of age, the provision of an invalid delivery address (including but not limited to a P.O. box) or the lack of a recipient to sign and accept delivery.
(b) Limitation on shipment of wines: Buyers are reminded of the limitations and restrictions imposed by various states and countries regarding the importation of wines between different states and countries. Various jurisdictions may prohibit the importation or limit the quantity of wines that may be shipped into their jurisdictions. In addition, various jurisdictions may require the buyer, seller, shipper or other entity to possess certain licenses or permits before shipping wines. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to determine before bidding at auction whether wines can be shipped from or into any state or jurisdiction and the legal obligation or responsibility for obtaining any required permits or licenses on behalf of the buyer prior to shipment. It is the buyer’s responsibility to abide by any customs regulations and required declarations for international shipments. The seller and Christie’s make no representation as to the legal rights of any buyer to ship wines to or from any jurisdiction.
(c) Import/export licenses or other permits: Unless otherwise agreed by us in writing, the fact that the buyer wishes to apply for an import and/or export license or some other permit and/or license for shipment does not affect his or her obligation to make payment on the payment due date nor our right to charge interest or storage charges on late payment. A delay in obtaining required permits or licenses shall not justify a rescission of any sale nor a delay in making full payment for the lot, and we shall not be obliged to refund any interest or other expenses incurred by the buyer. Local laws may prohibit the import of some property and/or may prohibit the resale of some property in the country of importation. No such restriction shall justify the rescission of any sale or delay in making full payment for the lot.
(d) Notwithstanding any other terms of these Conditions of Sale, if within 30 days after the sale, Christie’s and the seller have received from the original buyer of any lot notice of a claim in writing that any lot is short or has suffered breakage, then Christie’s and the seller in their sole discretion will decide any such claim as between the seller and the buyer and may rescind the sale and refund the purchase price received. The benefits of this provision are not assignable and shall only apply to the original buyer when the lot was sold at a Christie’s online-only sale. The original buyer must have remained the owner of the lot without disposing of any interest in it to any third party. The buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy against Christie’s, and the seller, and any of their officers, employees or agents, in place of any other remedy which might be available, is the cancellation of the sale and the refund of the original purchase price paid for the lot. Neither Christie’s nor the seller will be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages including, without limitation, loss of profits or interest.
(e) Though every effort is made to describe the wines in the lot descriptions and to describe or measure the levels of older vintages, buyers of old wines must make appropriate allowances for natural variations of ullages, conditions of corks and wine. Corks over twenty (20) years old begin to lose their elasticity and levels can changes between cataloguing and sale. Old corks have also been known to fail during or after shipment. We therefore repeat that there is always a risk of cork failure with old wines and due allowance must be made for this. Under no circumstances can a return be accepted or an adjustment of price or credit be made after delivery except under the terms stated in paragraph A7(d) above.
(f) The Sale Particulars may contain additional conditions and other terms which apply to specific sales of wine.
8. General
(a) Delivery addresses: The buyer must ensure that it provides a valid delivery address for all items to be shipped. P.O. boxes are not acceptable for delivery addresses. The buyer is responsible for paying any shipping charges if property is returned to the seller/ Christie’s due to the recipient’s failure to provide a valid delivery address or the lack of a recipient to sign and accept delivery where necessary.
(b) Import/export licenses or other permits: Unless otherwise agreed by us in writing, the fact that the buyer wishes to apply for an import and/or export license or some other permit and/or license for shipment may result in additional time to process at an additional cost and does not affect his or her obligation to make payment on the payment due date nor our right to charge interest or storage charges on late payment. A delay in obtaining required permits or licenses shall not justify a rescission of any sale nor a delay in making full payment for the lot, and we shall not be obliged to refund any interest or other expenses incurred by the buyer. Local laws may prohibit the import of some property and/or may prohibit the resale of some property in the country of importation. It is the buyer's responsibility to check if items may be imported into and/or transported to the specified delivery location and plan for additional time to apply for and receive the appropriate permits and/or licenses. No such restriction or delays associated to processing shipments shall justify the rescission of any sale or delay in making full payment for the lot.
1. REGISTRATION
If you have an existing MyChristie’s account, you can sign into the online-only auction with your existing username and password and then subsequently register for the auction (if you have multiple accounts, you will need to select the account under which you wish to transact). If you have not previously bid or consigned with MyChristie’s and, therefore, do not already have a MyChristie’s account, you will need to first create a MyChristie’s account following the instructions provided at http://onlineonly.christies.com and providing any required information and/or completing any necessary forms. Registration must be completed within the times specified in the Sale Particulars. For certain online-only sales you may be required to confirm a minimum age.
2. REGISTERING AS PRINCIPAL/ON BEHALF OF A COMPANY
When registering to bid whether as an individual or on behalf of an entity, you accept that in making a bid, you are accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, including the buyer's premium and all applicable taxes, plus all other applicable charges, unless it has been explicitly agreed in writing with Christie’s before the commencement of the sale that the bidder is acting as agent on behalf of an identified third party acceptable to Christie’s and Christie’s will only look to the principal for payment.
If you are bidding on behalf of an entity as a Super Authorized User against an entity’s transactional account withChristie’s, you must select the appropriate account at time of sale registration. If you do not already have a My Christie’s you will first need to create one; similarly if the entity does not have a Christie’s transactional account, you will first need to create one. In either situation, Christie’s may require your entity to provide certain documents or meet certain qualifications as set forth below. Please contact Christie’s Client Service to set up your MyChristie’s account or entity transactional account.
As a successful bidder, if you registered as a company bidder, your company will need to pay for any purchases via a credit card issued to the company account and not a personal account. Christie’s is not able to honour any reseller's certificates through the online-only auction process. As a successful bidder, you will be charged VAT or any other applicable sales tax as part of the check-out process. Buyers claiming exemption and a refund must provide Christie’s with the appropriate valid and up-to-date documentation and Christie’s will facilitate the process of a refund. It is your responsibility to obtain any relevant documentation and provide it to Christie’s and any delay in obtaining a refund shall not justify the rescission of any sale.
3. REQUIREMENTS AND CREDIT LIMITS
(a) In order to register to bid, you are required to supply the information requested, including valid credit card or other accepted payment information. Each bidder is subject to an aggregate bidding limit based on the currency of the sale. For sales in USD each bidder will be subject to a bidding limit in the amount of USD 300,000, for sales in GBP each bidder will be subject to a bidding limit of GBP 300,000, for sales in Euros each bidder will be subject to a bidding limit of EUR 300,000 and for sales in HKD each bidder will be subject to a bidding limit of HKD 2,000,000. This bidding limit applies to all items for sale within each particular online auction. This aggregate limit shall apply to all items bid upon in the aggregate, and shall not apply on a perlot basis. The bidding limit is based upon the maximum bid you enter as opposed to the actual bid amount accepted at that time. Christie’s, in its sole discretion, may lower or rescind this limit and has the ability to contact you to request the production of documents or information in relation to such limit. A maximum bid on a lot is deducted against the aggregate bidding limit and the bidding limit will not be reset until that lot closes. If you should reach the aggregate bidding limit based on the bids you place (whether maximum bids or actual bid amounts), you will not be able to place any further bids on those items or any additional bids on other items. You may adjust (i.e. remove, lower or increase) a maximum bid on a lot as long as the bids accepted on such lot have not met or exceeded the maximum bid amount. If you have a question regarding your bidding limit, please contact Christie’s Client Service at US: +212.636.2002, UK: +44 (0)207 839 9060, HK: +852 2760 1766. .
(b) Christie’s may also require the production of bank or other financial references or that you meet certain qualifications. Christie’s may also require deposits of a portion of a placed bid to be made to Christie’s. In such event, should you not be the successful bidder, your deposit shall be promptly returned to you. If you are the successful bidder, any such deposit shall be used to offset the appropriate portion of the purchase price.
(c) If you are bidding on behalf of an entity, please contact Christie’s Client Service at US: +212.636.2002, UK: +44 (0)207 839 9060, HK: +852 2760 1766 to set up your MyChristies account. Christie’s may require you, or, if you are registering to bid on behalf of a company in accordance with paragraph 2(b), your company, to provide the following types of information and/or documentation: Confirmation of registration (including, but not limited to, a Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Good Standing); Confirmation of beneficial ownership (e.g., schedule of shareholders, articles of organization or operating agreement); Confirmation of registered address (e.g., utility bill, bank statement or recent postal envelope, if the registered address is not listed on company documents); and Valid, government-issued photo ID for account owner (driver's license, passport or national identity card). Christie’s Client Services will contact you to request such information and/or documentation.
(d) Christie’s is committed to the detection and deterrence of money laundering and operates checks and controls for this purpose. In connection with these objectives and in the interests of the reputation and integrity of its business generally, Christie’s reserves the right, at our complete discretion, to: refuse your registration or participation in the auction or Buy-Now sale; revoke your permission to participate and/or refuse to award you lots at any time prior to, during or even after the close of the sale; and require the production of documents relating to your identity and/or creditworthiness at any point, including in connection with any other transactions, whether online or otherwise.
4. OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR BIDDING SERVICES
1. ABSENTEE BIDDING SERVICES
The absentee bidding services described in this paragraph are a free service offered as a convenience to Christie’s clients. You agree that Christie’s is not responsible for any error (human or mechanical), omission, or breakdown or our failure to provide the service requested by you.
You may request that Christie’s execute your bid on any particular Lot(s) indicated by you in a signed Absentee Bid Form that we make available to you for the Sale provided by us to you at your request. All bids must be in the currency of the saleroom as indicated on our website. All absentee bids are subject to clearance by Christie’s Finance and Credit department and must satisfy Christie’s Know Your Customer requirements. To be eligible for this service, you provide to us a valid email address where we can contact you.
We must receive your signed and completed Absentee Bid Form either physically on our saleroom premises at Christie’s Front Counter or via email to us at BidsUS@Christies.com no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled closing of the first Lot in the Sale. We will not accept any requests after this 24 period has expired nor will we accept any oral requests, unsigned or incomplete Absentee Bid Forms, or any written or emailed requests not on our Absentee Bid Form for the Sale you wish to bid upon.
You may not cancel your bid after you have sent it to us. If you wish, you may increase your bid prior to the expiry of the 24 hour period by sending us an updated Absentee Bid Form for the Lot(s). We will send you our notice to your email address when (i) your bid has been entered into our system, (ii) if you have been later outbid by another party and (iii) with the ultimate result of the auction of the Lot(s) that you have bid upon. We will not send you an email if at the time of our receipt of your bid, your requested bid amount has already been exceeded by another party’s bid on the same Lot or if another matching bid has received priority because of the time that we received it.
All bids received by us will be time stamped based upon the time that we have received them. Absentee Bids will be officially entered by Christie’s prior to the time that the first Lot of the Sale closes. You agree that Christie’s may determine in our sole discretion the official time that a bid has been received by us. In the event that Christie’s receives multiple bids at the same bid amount, the earlier bid received by us will have priority over any later bid competing bid received by us. We are not responsible for failing to execute an absentee bid on your behalf or for our determination of the official time of receipt by us of any bid or absentee bid on a Lot.
We as auctioneer will take reasonable steps to carry out absentee bids at the lowest possible price, taking into account the Reserve (if any). If you make a bid on a Lot that does not have a Reserve and there is no higher bid than yours, we will bid on your behalf at around 50% of the published low estimate of, if lower, the amount of your bid.
We encourage all clients to regularly monitor bidding activity online on our website in order to keep themselves apprised about competing bids.
Additional information about our responsibility for bidding services can be found in paragraph H.
1. CONNECTIVITY AND TECHNICAL ISSUES
The application that enables online bidding is optimized for broadband connectivity (DSL or cable modem). Please note that broadband or other internet capacity constraints, corporate firewalls and other technical problems beyond our reasonable control may create difficulties for some users including, by way of example, in relation to accessing sales and in maintaining continuity of such access. Errors may occur in the quality of digital images. We do not accept liability for such difficulties or errors.
2. REFUSAL OF BIDDING
Christie’s reserves the right, in our absolute discretion, to reject your registration to bid; to reject, revoke or refuse to accept any bid or use ofBuy-Now (even those that have been previously accepted); to withdraw or divide any lot; combine any two or morelots; or, whether during or after the sale, to restart or continue the bidding or to re-offer the lot as a new Buy-Now item at a fixed price. Christie’s also reserves the right to disable or deactivate your account at any time during the sale. Christie’s may exercise such rights in cases where a manifest error becomes apparent but this does not limit the circumstances in which Christie’s may exercise such rights.
3. ONLINE BIDDING PROCESS/ BIDDING INCREMENTS
An online-only auction is, by its nature, fast-moving. Competitive bidding can often progress very quickly. As soon as you place and confirm your bid amount, the bid is submitted (subject to the aggregate credit limit referred to in paragraph B3(a). You acknowledge that this is necessary in order to ensure that online bids are submitted and received as promptly as bids from other bidders. You accept and agree that bids submitted in this way are final and that you may not, under any circumstances, be permitted to amend, retract or revoke your bid. We are not responsible for any errors you make in bidding. Christie’s reserves the right to restart an auction or to restart bidding on any particular lot if it considers it is appropriate and reasonable to do so.
Once you have made a bid the next bidding increment is shown for your convenience on your “Next Bid” button.
Bidding generally opens at or below the low estimate. Bidding opens at a specified bid amount and advances in increments of up to 10%, subject to Christie’s discretion.
Christie’s may vary the increments during the course of the auction at Christie’s discretion.
Bids may only be submitted between the dates and times specified in the Sale Particulars.
Christie’s may show bids in some other major currencies as well as the currency of the auction, as specified in the Sale Particulars. Any conversion is for guidance only and we cannot be bound by any rate of exchange shown by the currency calculator.
4. RESERVES
Unless otherwise indicated, all lots are offered subject to a reserve, which is the confidential minimum price the seller will accept and below which the lot will not be sold. The reserve will not exceed the low pre-sale estimate. If any lot is not subject to a reserve, it will be identified in the lot description. If you place a maximum bid that equals or exceeds the reserve on a lot for which the reserve has not been met, the system may automatically raise the current bid to meet the reserve price. Under no circumstances will the system place any bid on behalf of the seller at or above the reserve.
5. THE RECORD OF THE SALE:
The record of sale (which are Christie’s own records which relate to the sale) will be taken as absolute and final in all disputes. In the event of a discrepancy between Christie’s and any online records or messages provided to you and the record of sale, the record of sale will govern.
6. WITHDRAWAL OF LOTS
Christie’s reserves the right, at our complete discretion, to withdraw any lot from the sale, whether prior to or during the auction or Buy-Now sale, and shall have no liability whatsoever with regard to such withdrawal.
7. EMPLOYEE BIDDING
Please note that employees of Christie’s may be bidding in any Online Only auction.
8. “BUY-NOW”
If this functionality is offered it allows you to buy the relevant lot at a fixed price (the “Buy-Now price”), subject to the Sale Particulars and the Conditions of Sale.
A purchase at the Buy-Now price enables you to purchase the lot without taking part in, or winning, the bidding for thatlot during an auction. If you purchase such a lot at the Buy-Now price, the Conditions of Sale and Sale Particulars for that lot will apply to the sale in the same manner as if you had been the successful bidder in an auction for that lot.
9. SUCCESSFUL BIDS - AUCTIONS
Unless Christie’s decides to use its discretion as set out in paragraph C(2) and C(6) above, the highest bid when the lot closes will be the successful bidder. This means a contract for sale has been formed between the seller and the successful bidder at the end of the auction. Winning bidders will receive an email notification of any successful bid. Bidders are also requested to log in as soon as possible after the sale to obtain details of the outcome of any successful bid by checking the “My Purchases” tab of the online-only auction. We do not accept responsibility for notifying you of the result of your bids unless you are successful.
D. THE BUYER’S PREMIUM, TAXES AND ARTIST’S RESALE ROYALTY
1. THE BUYER’S PREMIUM
We charge a buyer’s premium to the buyer on the hammer price and Buy-Now price of each lot sold. The amount of the buyer’s premium is set out in the Sale Particulars.
We calculate the buyer’s premium as follows:
For sales in USD:
On all lots except wine we charge 25% of the hammer price up to and including USD $150,000; 20% on that part of the hammer price over USD $150,000 and up to and including USD $3,000,000; and 12% of that part of the hammer price above USD $3,000,000.
For sales in GBP:
On all lots except wine we charge 25% of the hammer price up to and including: GBP 100,000; 20% on that part of the hammer price over GBP 100,000 and up to and including GBP 2,000,000; and 12% of that part of the hammer price above GBP 2,000,000.
For sales in HKD:
On all lots except wine we charge 25% of the hammer price up to and including: HKD 1,200,000; 20% on that part of the hammer price over HKD 1,200,000 and up to and including HKD 20,000,000; and 12% of that part of the hammer price above HKD 20,000,000.
For sales in EUR:
On all lots except wine we charge 25% of the hammer price up to and including: EUR 50,000; 20% on that part of the hammer price over EUR 50,000 and up to and including EUR 1,600,000; and 12% of that part of the hammer price above EUR 1,600,000.
For wine sales:
Please refer to the Sale Particulars for details on the applicable buyer’s premium.
2. VAT AND SIMILAR TAXES
You are responsible for any value added tax (VAT) (including but not limited to, any Import VAT), sales tax or value added sales tax, sales or compensating use tax or any other similar tax payable as a result of the sale of the lot. Further information and guidance as to the application of such taxes are set out in the Sale Particulars. Tax charges and refunds depend on the particular circumstances of the buyer so the information in the Sale Particulars, which is not exhaustive, should be used only as a general guide. In all circumstances the applicable law of the relevant jurisdiction takes precedence.
3. ARTIST’S RESALE ROYALTY
In certain countries, local laws entitle the artist or the artist’s estate to a royalty known as ‘artist’s resale right’ when any lot created by the artist is sold. We identify these lots with the symbol λ in the Sale Particulars. If these laws apply to a lot, you must pay us an extra amount equal to the royalty (unless the law requires the payment to be made by the seller). We will pay the royalty to the appropriate authority on the seller’s behalf. Where the Christie’s selling company specified in the Sale Particulars is located in the EU the artist’s royalty applies if the hammer price of the lot is more than 1,000 euro and the total charge for any lot cannot be more than 12,500 euro. We work out the amount owed as follows:
Royalty for the portion of the hammer price (in euros):
• 4% up to 50,000
• 3% between 50,000.01 and 200,000
• 1% between 200,000.01 and 350,000
• 0.50% between 350,000.01 and 500,000
• over 500,000, the lower of 0.25% and 12,500 euro.
We will work out the artist’s resale royalty using the euro to sterling rate of exchange of the European Central Bank on the day of the auction.
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 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.
2. CHRISTIE’S AUTHENTICITY WARRANTY
If your lot is not authentic, subject to the terms below, we will refund the purchase price paid by you (our “authenticity warranty”). 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 is provided for a period of 5 years from the date of the sale.
(b) It is given only for information shown in UPPERCASE type in the first phrase of the catalogue description (the “Heading”) and, where no maker or artist is identified, it is given for information regarding date or period shown in UPPERCASE type in the second phrase of the catalogue description (the “Subheading”). It does not apply to any information other than in the Heading or Subheading, even if shown in UPPERCASE type.
(c) The authenticity warranty does not apply to any Heading, Subheading or part of any Heading or Subheading which is qualified. Qualified means limited by a clarification in a lot’s catalogue description or the use in a Heading or Subheading 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 or Subheading 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 and Subheading 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 or Subheading either matched the generally accepted opinion of experts at the date of the sale 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 Sale Particulars, 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 the original buyer has owned the lot continuously between the date of sale and the date of claim. It may not be transferred to anyone else.
(h) In order to claim under the authenticity warranty you must:
(i) give us written details of any claim within 5 years of the date of sale. Regrettably, if you fail to do so your claim cannot be accepted;
(ii) obtain the written opinions of two recognised experts in the field of the lot mutually agreed by you and us in advance confirming that the lot is not authentic. We reserve the right to obtain additional opinions at our expense; and
(i) return the lot to the specified saleroom in the condition it was in at the time of sale;
(j) 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, in any circumstances, be required to pay you more than this total amount.
(i) Books. Where the lot is a book, we give an additional warranty for 14 days from the date of the sale that if on collation any lot is defective in text or illustration, we will refund your purchase price, including the buyer’s premium, subject to the following terms:
(i) This additional warranty does not apply to:
(a) 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;
(b) drawings, autographs, letters or manuscripts, signed photographs, music, atlases, maps or periodicals;
(c) books not identified by title;
(d) lots sold without a printed estimate;
(e) books which are described as sold not subject to return; or
(f) defects stated in any condition report or announced at the time of sale.
(ii) To make a claim under this paragraph you must give written details of the defect and return the lot to the location from which it was shipped to you (or as we direct) in the same condition as at the time of sale, within 14 days of the date of the sale.
3. DISCLAIMER OF ADDITIONAL WARRANTIES
To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, Christie’s and the seller disclaim and exclude any and all other warranties of any kind relating to the lots and the online-only service, whether express or implied by statute or common law or otherwise.
This disclaimer and exclusion does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer, nor your rights under the warranties in paragraphs E1 and E2.
1. HOW TO PAY
(a) You must pay the total amount due: in the case of auctions by no later than the time specified in the Sale Particulars. In the case of Buy Now sales you must commence the payment process within 30 minutes of adding an item to your basket and complete the payment process within a further period of 15 minutes of starting that process. The total amount due is the total of the following amounts:
(i) the hammer price and the buyer’s premium (in the case of a sale by auction) OR the Buy-Now price in the case of a Buy-Now sale;
(ii) any amounts due under paragraph D3 (artist's royalty) above;
(iii) all shipping and related costs and charges including Loss, Damage and Liability (LDL); and
(iv) any duties, goods, sales or service tax or VAT.
International Duties: For international buyers, the terms of sale are Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU). It is your responsibility to ascertain and pay all international duties, custom charges, taxes, charges and tariffs owed to the appropriate government entity or that otherwise need to be paid prior to shipment and/or delivery including any third-party charges necessary to facilitate shipment.
(b) We will only accept payment from the registered bidder. 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 any lot bought at Christie’s via the online-only auction by a permitted credit or debit card unless an alternative method is specified in the Sale Particulars. We will only accept credit cards with a MasterCard, Visa, American Express or China Union Pay (if the China Union Pay credit card has a Visa or MasterCard logo) and (in the case of sales where the Christie’s selling entity is in the United States, Discover – including Diners Club International and JCB). Other methods of payment will not be accepted unless specified. Christie’s will only accept payment from the registered bidder. If you registered and bid as a company, your company will need to pay for any purchases via a credit card issued to the company account. Partial payment of a lot, or payment across multiple credit cards for a single lot, will not be allowed. If you purchase multiple lots, you may purchase one lot with one credit card and another lot with a different credit card but you will need to go through two separate check-outs. Please contact Christie’s on US: +212.636.2002, UK: +44 (0)207 839 9060, HK: +852 2760 1766 for any questions relating to payments
2. PAYMENT METHOD Please note that if you pay for your purchase using a credit card issued outside the region of the sale, depending on the type of card and account you hold, the payment may incur a cross-border transaction fee. If you think this may apply to, you, please check with your credit card issuer before proceeding to check-out.
3. TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP TO YOU
You will not own the lot until we have received full and clear payment of all amounts due.
4. 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 the lot comes into your physical possession or that of any person you identify to take possession of the lot if we dispatch the lot to you using the method of shipping which we have specified for the sale in the Sale Particulars;
(b) If you arrange to use a carrier to deliver the goods to you and the carrier is not one that we provide as an option for you to choose, when the lot is collected by that carrier; or
(c) if collection is permitted (the Sale Particulars will state if collection is allowed), when you collect the lot.
5. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT PAY
(a) If you fail to pay us the total amount due in full by the due date, we will be entitled to do one or more of the following (as well as enforcing any other rights we have by law):
(i) We can charge you a late-payment fee worked out at a rate of 5% a year above the UK Lloyds TSB base rate from time to time on the unpaid amount due;
(ii) We can cancel the sale of the lot. If we do this, we may sell the lot again, in which case you must pay us any shortfall between the total amount due to us and the proceeds from the resale.
(iii) In the case of Buy-Now sales, failure to complete payment within the time allowed will result in the lot being re-offered in the sale. You must also pay all costs, expenses, losses, damages and legal fees we have to pay or may suffer and any shortfall on seller’s commission and buyer’s premium we have to pay on the resale;
(iv) We can hold you legally responsible for the total amount due and may begin legal proceedings to recover it together with our late-payment fee, 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 sole option reveal your identity and contact details to the seller; and/or
(vii) 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.
6. KEEPING YOUR PROPERTY
If you owe money to us or to another Christie’s Group company, as well as the rights set out in paragraph F5 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 this 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.
1. TRANSPORT AND SHIPPING
We will ship your purchased lots that are paid for in full by the payment deadline as specified in the Sale Particulars to the address you provide at check-out, no later than 30 days from conclusion of the contract, unless otherwise explicitly agreed. Purchases cannot be delivered to P.O. boxes. You will be responsible for any and all shipping expenses, including costs, packing and handling, loss damage liability fees as specified in the Sale Particulars. Although we shall use reasonable efforts to take care when handling, packing and facilitating any shipment of a purchased lot, Christie’s is not responsible for any acts or omissions of any third party retained for these purposes, including, without limitation, any packing, shipping or delivery of purchased lots. Similarly, where we may suggest any third party handler, packer or carrier if so requested, we do not accept liability for their acts or omissions and you agree to release us from any such liability
2. EXPORT AND IMPORT
(a) We aim not to include any lots in online-only sales which will be prevented from leaving a country by the laws of the country in which the lot is located, or from being delivered to a country selected by the buyer to which it is to be shipped.
However, any lot sold 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. Obtaining the necessary permits and/or licenses may result in additional costs and subsequent delays. Local laws may prevent you from importing a lot or may prevent you selling a lot in the country you import it into. 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.
(b) Lots made of 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 Sale Particulars. This material includes, among other things, ivory, tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whalebone and certain species of coral, together with Brazilian rosewood. Several countries refuse to allow you to import property containing these materials, and some other countries require a license from the relevant regulatory agencies in the countries of exportation as well as importation. As a result you should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on any lot containing wildlife material if you plan to import the lot into another country.
(c) Items containing material that originates from Burma (Myanmar)
Items which contain rubies or jadeite originating in Burma (Myanmar) may not generally be imported into the United States. As a convenience to US buyers,lots which contain rubies or jadeite of Burmese or indeterminate origin have been marked with the symbol ψ in the Sale Particulars. In relation to items that contain any other types of gemstones originating in Burma (e.g. sapphires) such items may be imported into the United States provided that the gemstones have been mounted or incorporated into jewellery outside of Burma and provided that the setting is not of a temporary nature (e.g. a string).
(d) Iranian origin property
Iranian origin ‘informational materials’ (including fine art by recognised artists and books and manuscripts) may be imported into the United States and purchased by US persons, but Iranian origin ‘works of conventional craftsmanship’ (works that are not by a recognised artist and/or that have a function) may not. If you are a US person, you are responsible for checking that you do not bid on prohibited Iranian origin property. US persons include US citizens and US permanent residents (‘greencard holders’) wherever these individuals are located, US entities and any other persons temporarily resident or located in the US.
(e) Gold
Gold of less than 18ct does not qualify in all countries as ‘gold’ and may be refused import into those countries as ‘gold’.
(f) Jewellery
Jewellery may require an export license subject to age and value criteria. Obtaining the necessary license may result in additional costs and subsequent delays. We can apply for on your behalf if you make a request for us to do so as part of the online check-out process.
(g) Watches
(i) Many of the watches offered for sale in the Sale Particulars have straps which may be made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. In most cases, these endangered species straps are not for sale, and we will remove and retain the strap prior to collection or shipment. You should check the lot description to determine whether a watch strap is for sale or is shown for display purposes only. Where an endangered species strap is for sale, you may need to obtain a CITES export permit to lawfully export the strap from the sale site. (ii) The importation of luxury watches such as Rolex into the United States is highly restricted. Such watches may not be shipped to the United States and can only be imported personally. Generally, a buyer may import only one watch into the United States at a time. In the Sale Particulars, these watches have been marked with a Φ. This will not affect your responsibility to pay for the lot. For further information please contact our specialists in charge of the sale.
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.
1. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
(a) Christie’s offers internet services as a convenience to our clients, but Christie’s will not be responsible to you for errors or failures to execute bids placed on the internet or on your mobile device, including, without limitation, errors or failures caused by: (i) any loss of connection to the online-only sale; (ii) a breakdown or problems with the online bidding software; and/or (iii) a breakdown or problems with any internet connection, computer, mobile device or system. Execution of on-line and mobile internet bids is a free service and Christie’s does not accept liability for failing to access the bidding site or to execute an online or mobile internet bid or for errors or omissions in connection with this activity.
2. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU WHEN WE SELL A LOT WHICH IS NOT OWNED BY CHRISTIE’S
(a) We have no liability to you in relation to the seller’s warranties in paragraph E1 or in relation to any terms which are implied into contracts by law and which are the responsibility of the seller of an item.
(b) In any event, subject to paragraph H2(f), we shall have no liability to you for (i) any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, loss of business opportunity, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goodwill, loss of revenue or any wasted expenditure; or (ii) any indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever.
(c) Please be aware that condition reports, and currency converter are free services and we are not responsible to you for any error (human or otherwise), omission or breakdown in these services.
(d) Subject to paragraph H2(f), 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 (a) to (d) above, we are found to be liable to you for any reason, subject to paragraph H2(f), our maximum aggregate liability to you pursuant to these Conditions of Sale and any related Sale Particulars shall be limited to the purchase price plus buyer’s premium paid by you to us.
(f) Nothing in these Conditions of Sale shall limit or exclude the liability of Christie’s for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent concealment or for any other liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.
3. SELLER’S LIABILITY
(a) Please note that Christie’s will be the seller if it owns a lot; if it does not own a lot, it acts as agent for the seller and this paragraph H3 shall only relate to the liability of the third party seller of the lot. If Christie’s is the owner of a lot, this paragraph H3 shall be applicable toChristie’s liability to you. If Christie’s is the owner of a lot, this will be indicated in the Sale Particulars.
(b) Please note the exclusions of warranties set out in paragraph E3. Paragraph E3 limits the seller's liability to you.
(c) subject to paragraph H3(e), the seller’s maximum aggregate liability to you pursuant to these conditions of sale and any related Sale Particulars shall be limited to the purchase price paid by you to us.
(d) Subject to paragraph H3(e), the seller shall have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, loss of business opportunity, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goodwill, loss of revenue or any wasted expenditure; or (ii) any indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever.
(e) Nothing in these Conditions of Sale shall limit or exclude the liability of the seller for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent concealment or for any other liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.
4. EVENTS OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF CHRISTIE’S OR THE SELLER
Neither we, you, nor the seller will be responsible for any failure to meet any obligation which we you or the seller has under these Conditions of Sale or under the Sale Particulars which is caused by circumstances beyond our, your or the seller’s reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to strikes, lock-outs fire, flood, natural disasters, war, armed conflict, terrorist attack and nuclear and chemical contamination.
5. 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 we reasonably believe that completing the transaction is or may be unlawful or that the sale places us or the seller under any liability to anyone else or may damage our reputation.
6. 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 Sale Particulars). You cannot use them without our written permission. We do not offer any guarantee that you will gain any copyright or other reproduction rights to the lot.
7. 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.
8. 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 estate and anyone who takes over your rights and responsibilities.
9. TRANSLATIONS
If we have provided a translation of these conditions of sale, we will use the English language version in deciding any issues or disputes which arise under this agreement.
10. 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 policy at www.christies.com/about/help/privacy.
Card and other payment information is collected and processed directly by a third party service provider (“Payment Service Provider”) and not by Christie’s. The Payment Service Provider may undertake fraud prevention reviews prior to processing any payment or as part of the payment process. Payment specific information which is submitted to the Payment Service Provider is processed on PCI compliant secure servers. The information submitted and used for processing payments is as below:
- Name and contact details including shipping and billing addresses
- Credit Card information
- Total transaction value
- Your IP Address of which you are checking out from
Christie’s does not have access to, or retain any credit card or other payment information details.
11. 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.
12. LAW AND DISPUTES
This agreement and any rights arising outside this agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of New York. Before either we or you start any court proceedings (except in the limited circumstances where the dispute, controversy or claim is related to a lawsuit brought by a third party and this dispute could be joined to that proceeding) we shall consent to the mediation of any dispute following the mediation procedure of JAMS with a mediator affiliated with JAMS and mutually acceptable to each of us. Consent to mediation shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the dispute is not settled by mediation within 60 days from the date when mediation is initiated by either of us, then the dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in New York in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the International Center for Dispute Resolution ("ICDR") by one arbitrator appointed by the ICDR within 90 days after the initiation of the arbitration, who may order the production of documents only for good cause shown. The arbitration shall be confidential, except to the extent necessary to enforce a judgment or in accordance with a court order. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on both of us. You submit to jurisdiction in the state and federal courts located in New York County for the limited purpose of enforcing this agreement to arbitrate. This arbitration and any proceedings conducted hereunder shall be governed by Title 9 (Arbitration) of the United States Code and by the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of June 10, 1958.
1. REPORTING ON CHRISTIES.COM
Details of all lots sold by us, including Sale Particulars descriptions and prices, may be reported on christies.com. Auction 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 christies.com.
Asia: East Asia ((including China, (PRC), Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mongolia); South East Asia (including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, Brunei); or South Asia (including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, the Maldives);
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 title description (and not qualified) 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 title description (and not qualified) as a work created during that period or culture;
(iii) A work for a particular origin source if the lot is described in the title description (and not qualified) 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 UPPERCASE as being made of that material.
authenticity warranty: the guarantee we give in this agreement that a lot is authentic as set out in section E2 of this agreement.
Buy-Now: a facility which we may provide either for you to buy a lot during the course of an auction or until a fixed time, or for you to buy a lot which is not offered for sale as part of an auction, in either case at a fixed price.
Buy-Now price: the fixed price at which property may be offered for sale using the Buy-Now facility.
buyer’s premium: the charge the buyer pays us along with the hammer price.
Christie’s : the company within Christie’s Group and specified in the Sale Particulars which offers to sell a lot either as agent for the seller or as theowner of the lot
Christie’s Group: Christie’s International Plc, its subsidiaries and other companies within its corporate group.
condition: the physical condition of a lot.
Conditions of Sale: the Conditions of Sale set out above; our Explanations of Cataloguing Practice; the explanation of symbols used in the Sale Particulars; and the explanation of the application of VAT or other similar applicable sales taxes.
estimate: the price range included in the particulars of Sale 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 for the sale of a lot via auction.
Heading : has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2.
lot: an item to be offered for sale at an online auction or Buy-Now sale (or two or more items to be offered at auction or Buy-Now sale as a group).
lot description: the description of a lot in the Sale Particulars for the sale, as amended by any notice given to you during the auction or Buy-Now sale.
online-only sale: a sale of a lot which is conducted solely by means of Christie’s online-only service sale platform.
online-only service: a platform and associated technical services accessible solely by online means which enables a buyer to bid for and buy lots through an auction or by using Buy-Now.
provenance: the ownership history of a lot.
Qualified has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2 and Qualified title descriptions means the section headed Qualified title descriptions on the page of the Sale Particulars headed “Explanation of Cataloguing Practice”.
reserve: the confidential amount below which we will not sell a lot.
Sale Particulars: the Lot information (the online description of the lot or lots offered for sale together with other information on the sale website relating to a lot and the conduct of the sale); lot notes; payment information; any on-screen notices displayed as part of a sale; and any Special Conditions of Sale which apply to any lot or group of lots offered for sale at the same time;
seller: the owner of a lot; this may be either Christie’s or another owner for whom Christie’s acts as agent, as indicated in the Sale Particulars
Special Conditions of Sale: Any additional conditions which apply to a sale and which are set out in the Sale Particulars
Subheading: has the meaning given to it in paragraph E2
Super Authorised User: an individual authorized to execute transactions on behalf of an entity which has a registered transactional account
total amount due: has the meaning given to it in paragraph F 1 (a).
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.
K. VAT SYMBOLS AND EXPLANATION
VAT payable varies by symbol described below – as indicated by the symbol associated with a lot
No Symbol : We will use the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price.
Symbol VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
(Books only: No VAT is payable on the hammer price or the buyer’s premium
† VAT will be charged at 20% on both the hammer price and buyer’s premium and shown separately on our invoice.
* These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Ω These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 20% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
α • If you register to bid with an address within the EU you will be invoiced as though the lot had no VAT symbol (see No Symbol above)
• If you register to bid with an address outside of the EU you will be charged under normal VAT rules (see † symbol above)
# Books: We will use the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. No VAT is charged on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
‡ Wine: The wine is offered “in bond”. If you choose to buy the wine in bond no excise duty or clearance VAT will be charged. If you choose to buy the wine out of bond excise duty and clearance VAT will be added to your invoice. Whether you buy the wine in bond or out of bond, VAT will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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VAT refunds: what can I reclaim?
1. Non VAT registered UK or EU buyer: No refund is possible
UK VAT registered buyer
No symbol, α and #: The VAT amount in the buyer’s premium cannot be refunded. However, on request we can reinvoice you under normal UK VAT rules (as if the lot had been sold with a † symbol) instead of the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. You can then reclaim the VAT charged through your own VAT return subject to HMRC’s rules.
† You can reclaim the VAT charged through your own VAT return subject to HMRC’s rules.
* and Ω You may be able to reclaim the Import VAT on the hammer price through your own VAT return with C79 issued by HMRC. The VAT amount in the buyer’s premium cannot be refunded. However, on request we can reinvoice you under normal UK VAT rules (as if the lot had been sold with a † symbol) instead of the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. You can reclaim the VAT charged through your own VAT return subject to HMRC’s rules.
2. EU VAT registered buyer
No Symbol, α and #: The VAT amount in the buyer’s premium cannot be refunded. However, on request we can reinvoice you under normal UK VAT rules (as if the lot had been sold with a † symbol) instead of the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. See below for the rules that would then apply.
† If you provide us with your EU VAT number we will not charge VAT on the buyer’s premium. We will also refund the VAT on the hammer price if you ship the lot from the UK, and provide us with proof of shipping, within 3 months of collection.
* and Ω The VAT amount in the buyer’s premium cannot be refunded. On request we can reinvoice you under normal UK VAT rules (as if the lot had been sold with a † symbol) instead of the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme. See above for the rules that would then apply.
3. Non EU buyer
No Symbol and # We will refund the VAT amount in the buyer’s premium if you meet all of the conditions in note 3 below.
† and α VAT charged on the hammer price will be refunded if you meet all of the conditions ‡(wine only) in note 3 below. Trade clients who meet these conditions in full will also receive a refund of the VAT amount in the buyer’s premium. The VAT amount in the buyer’s premium cannot be refunded to non-trade clients.
* and Ω We will refund the Import VAT charged on the hammer price and the VAT amount in the buyer’s premium if you meet all of the conditions in note 3 below.
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Notes
1. We CANNOT offer refunds of VAT amounts or Import VAT to buyers who do not meet all applicable conditions in full. If you are unsure whether you will be entitled to a refund, please contact our VAT team at the address below before you bid.
2. No VAT amounts or Import VAT will be refunded where the total refund is under £100.
3. In order to receive a refund of VAT amounts/Import VAT (as applicable) non-EU buyers must:
(a) have registered to bid with an address outside of the EU; and
(b) export the lot from the EU within 30 days of collection for * and Ω lots and 3 months of collection for all other lots and immediately afterwards provide us with satisfactory proof of export.
4. Details of the documents which you must provide to us to show satisfactory proof of export/shipping are available from our VAT team at the address below. We charge a processing fee of £35.00 per invoice to check shipping/export documents. We will waive this processing fee if you appoint Christie’s Shipping Department to arrange your export/shipping.
5. If you appoint Christie’s Art Transport or one of our authorised shippers to arrange your export/shipping we will issue you with an export invoice with any VAT or Import VAT which you would be entitled to have refunded upon export/shipping removed. If you later cancel this appointment we will issue a revised invoice charging you all applicable VAT charges.
6. If you ask us to reinvoice you under normal UK VAT rules (as if the lot had been sold with a † symbol) instead of under the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme the lot may become ineligible to be resold using the Margin Schemes. You should take professional advice if you are unsure how this may affect you.
7. All reinvoicing requests must be received within 4 years from the date of sale.
If you have any questions about VAT refunds please contact Christie’s VAT
Department Email: VAT_london@christies.com, Tel: +44 (0)20 7389 2693. Fax: +44 (0)20 3219 6076.
Symbols used in Sale Particulars
The meaning of words [coloured grey][in bold] in this section can be found at the end of the Conditions of Sale
Δ Owned by Christie’s or another Christie’s Group company in whole or part.
On occasion, Christie’s has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale, which may include guaranteeing a minimum price or making an advance to the consignor that is secured solely by consigned property. Such property is identified in the catalogue with the symbol º in the Sale Particulars. This symbol will be used both in cases where Christie’s holds the financial interest on its own, and in cases where Christie’s has financed all or part of such interest through third parties. When a third party agrees to finance all or part of Christie’s interest in a lot, it takes on all or part of the risk of the lot not being sold, and will be remunerated in exchange for accepting this risk. The third party may also bid for the lot. Where it does so, and is the successful bidder, the remuneration may be netted against the final purchase price. If the lot is not sold, the third party may incur a loss. Where Christie’s has an ownership or financial interest in every lot in the catalogue, Christie’s will not designate each lot with a symbol, but will state its interest at the front of the catalogue. If property has º in the Sale Particulars, Christie’s guarantee of a minimum price has been financed through third parties.
λ Artist’s Resale Right. See paragraph D3 of the Conditions of Sale.
• Lot offered without reserve which will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of the pre-sale estimate in the Sale Particulars.
~ Lot incorporates material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. See Section G2 of the Conditions of Sale.
Φ Lot which may not be able to be shipped to the US. See paragraph G 2(d) of the Conditions of Sale.
Ψ Lots containing jadeite and rubies from Burma or of indeterminate origin. See paragraph G 2(C) of the Conditions of Sale.
Explanation of Cataloguing Practice
CONDITION REPORTS
Condition reports may be made available online. Further, the lot descriptions may include references to condition in descriptions of multiple works (such as prints, books and wine). Please contact Client Services at US: +212.636.2002, UK: +44 (0)207 839 9060, HK: +852 2760 1766 for supplementary information, such as a condition report on a particular lot.
The condition of lots 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 in the condition they are in at the time of the sale.
Any reference to condition in a catalogue entry will not amount to a full description of condition, and images may not show the condition of a lot clearly. In particular colours and shades may look different in print or on screen to how they look in real life. 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 honest opinion but they may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. For that reason they are not an alternative to examining a lot in person or taking your own professional advice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have received and considered any condition report. Buyers should note that descriptions of property are not warranties and that each lot is sold "as is."
PROPERTY INCORPORATING MATERIALS FROM ENDANGERED AND OTHER PROTECTED SPECIES
Property made of or incorporating (irrespective of percentage) endangered and other protected species of wildlife are marked with the symbol ~ in the lot description (or are identified in the lot description with language indicating as such). Such material includes, among other things, ivory, tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whale bone and certain species of coral, together with Brazilian rosewood. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit altogether the importation of property containing such materials, and that other countries require a permit (e.g., a CITES permit) from the relevant regulatory agencies in the countries of exportation as well as importation. Accordingly, clients should familiarize themselves with the relevant customs laws and regulations prior to bidding on any property with wildlife material if they intend to import the property into another country. For example, the U.S. generally prohibits the importation of articles containing species that it has designated as endangered or threatened if those articles are less than 100 years old. Please note that it is the client's responsibility to determine and satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations applying to the export or import of property containing endangered and other protected wildlife material. The inability of a client to export or import property containing endangered and other protected wildlife material is not a basis for cancellation or rescission of the sale. Please note also that lots containing potentially regulated wildlife material are marked as a convenience to our clients, but Christie’s does not accept liability for errors or for failing to mark lots containing protected or regulated species.
FOR PRINTS
Terms used in lot descriptions and condition reports have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements in a lot description as to authorship are made subject to the provisions of the Conditions of Sale and Terms of Use.
Buyers are advised to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available online or on request.
1. Name(s) or recognized designation of an artist without any qualification
In Christie’s opinion a work by the artist.
-2. "School of... a named artist or recognized designation of an artist"
In Christie’s qualified opinion, a work by a pupil of follower of the artist.
-3. "After ... a named artist or recognized designation of an artist"
In Christie’s qualified opinion, a copy of a work, originally in another medium, by the artist.
- This term and its definition in this Glossary are a qualified statement as to authorship. While the use of this term is based upon careful study and represents the opinion of specialists, Christie’s and the consignor assume no risk, liability and responsibility for the authenticity of authorship of any lot described by this term.
"SIGNED"
Has a signature, which in Christie’s qualified opinion, is the signature of the artist.
"BEARS SIGNATURE"
Bears the name of the artist in another hand.
"DATED"
Manually dated, and in Christie’s qualified opinion was executed at about that date.
"CIRCA DATE"
In Christie’s qualified opinion the work of art was executed at approximately that date.
"INSCRIBED / DEDICATED"
Has an inscription, which in Christie’s qualified opinion, is by the hand of the artist.
"BEARS INSCRIPTION/DEDICATION"
Has an inscription, which in Christie’s qualified opinion, appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
"WITH FULL MARGINS"
The full sheet which has remained untrimmed since the time of printing.
"WITH WIDE MARGINS"
A wide strip of blank paper surrounds the subject.
"WITH MARGINS"
A strip of blank paper surrounds the subject.
"NARROW MARGINS"
A narrow strip of blank paper surrounds the subject.
"THREAD MARGINS"
A very narrow strip of blank paper outside the platemark surrounds the subject.
"PRINTED TO THE EDGES OF THE FULL SHEET"
The subject has been printed to the edges of the full sheet, as the artist intended.
"TRIMMED WITHIN THE PLATEMARK"
The paper has been trimmed within the platemark, sometimes resulting in a reduction of the subject.
"LIGHT-STAINING"
Prolonged exposure to light has darkened the color of the paper.
"MAT/MOUNT STAINING"
Exposure to an acidic mount has darkened the color of the paper.
"TIME-STAINING"
The edges of the sheet have darkened with time.
"FOXMARKS/FOXING"
Foxing is mould, a microorganism which attacks paper, resulting in small yellow/brown spots.
"PIN HOLE/TACK HOLE"
A speck-like or tiny hole, nor considered a defect when inherent in the manufacture of the print, i.e., registration holes.
"COLOURS/COLORS ATTENUATED/PADED"
Slight fading of the colors. When this is more pronounced, we refer to the colors as being
faded.
"SURFACE DIRT/SOILING"
Dirt/soiling on the paper surface, often due to handling.
"CREASE"
A soft to severe unintentional fold in the paper.
"PRINTING CREASE"
A crease in the paper, caused in the printing process, and not a defect.
"REMAINS OF OLD GLUE"
Adhesive residue, normally left by old hinging material.
"PRESSURE MARK"
An indentation in the paper surface.
"SCUFF MARK/RUBBING"
A soft pressure mark, primarily visible as a shiny passage on a colored area of the subject.
"ABRASION"
A small damaged area, which may include broken paper fibers and/or ink loss on the print surface.
"TEAR"
A tear which proceeds from the edge of the sheet.
"SPLIT"
A tear which exists within the sheet, and does not extend to the sheer edge.
"TOUCHED"
Where ink or wash has been applied by hand to the subject in order to enhance shadows or to
mask defects.
"MADE UP"
A small area in which the paper has been repaired and the image has been redrawn.
"SIGNATURE/NUMBERING RUBBED"
The signature or numbering appears blurred or partially erased.
DIMENSIONS
Measurements taken from a platemark are indicated as (P.), from a woodblock as (B.), or
from the borderline of the subject as (L.). Sheet size is recorded as (S.).
GLOSSARY OF CATALOGUING TERMS
AQUATINT
An etching process in which tone is created by treating a plate with fine particles of acid-resistant material (like powdered resin) and then placing the plate in an acid bath. The acid bites into the plate between the grains of resin and, when printed, the mass of tiny spots produces a textured area with tonal effects similar to watercolor wash.
ARTIST'S PROOF/EPREUVE D'ARTISTE
Impressions printed especially for the artist and excluded from the numbering of an edition, but exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect. Usually appears as "A.P." or "E.A."
BLINDSTAMP/CHOP
The embossed, inked, or stamped symbol used by printers and print workshops, usually in the margin of the paper as a mark of identification.
BON AT1RER/RIGHT TO PRINT
The proof approved by the artist which establishes the standard for all of the other prints in the edition.
BURR
When using a drypoint needle or other engraving tool to draw directly into a metal plate, small, fine pieces of metal are raised up on both sides of the scored line. This burr holds additional ink during the printing process and gives the lines a velvety or fuzzy texture. Burr is very delicate and consequently is easily worn down during the pressures of the printing process. Early pulls or impressions taken from such plates are characterized by rich burr. In the case of Old Master prints especially, the quantity and evidence of burr can sometimes be used as an aid in determining how early the impression was pulled.
CANCELLATION PROOF
When the edition is complete, the matrix - a block, plate, stone, mylar or other - is effaced, crossed out or otherwise "cancelled."
An impression is then taken from this matrix, showing that the plate has been "cancelled." This ensures that no further uncancelled impressions can be pulled.
CARBORUNDUM
The trade name for silicon carbide, carborundum began its use in printmaking as an abrasive which was used in effacing lithographic stones. The particles, when mixed together with glue, can also be used to draw on a plate—sometimes creating a raised surface—which is then inked and printed with the ink being held in the spaces between the particles. The resulting prints are often textured due to the raised areas of the printing surface.
CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ
A scholarly catalogue which should include all the known works by an artist at the time of publication. Essential information by which works are identified is included.
CHINE APPLIQUÉ/CHINE COLLÉ
A method of adhering a thin paper, sometimes of a different color or texture, onto a larger, heavier sheet during the printing process using glue or water to dampen and coat the papers.
COLOPHON/JUSTIFICATION
A note, usually at the end of a book or portfolio of prints, giving all or some of the following information: name of work, author, printer, place of printing, date, size of edition.
DECKLE EDGE
The natural, untrimmed edge of handmade paper usually slightly uneven and sometimes slightly thinner than the rest of the sheet.
DRYPOINT
An intaglio process in which a plate is marked or incised directly with a needle. The drypoint line can look very much like an etched line but is usually lighter and characterized by the existence of burr.
EDITION
The total number of impressions pulled off a single image or set of images from the same matrix. To this number the artist usually authorizes the addition of a small number of artist's, printer's, publisher's and other proofs.
EMBOSSING
A process used to create a raised surface or raised element, but printed without ink.
ENGRAVING
An intaglio process in which a plate is marked or incised directly with a burin or other metal-marking tool. No acid is used in this process since the design is dug out by hand. An engraved line can range from very deep and wide, to lighter and thinner and is often characterized by a pointed end signaling the exit of the "v" shaped burin from the metal.
ETCHING
An intaglio process in which a plate is treated with an acid-resistant ground. The artist then draws through the ground with various tools to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath where the acid "bites" or chemically dissolves the exposed lines. The metal plate is therefore "carved" or "etched" by the acid rather than by a tool directly in the metal.
FOUL-BITING
When the acid-resistant ground on a metal plate does not keep the acid entirely out, irregularities can appear. These "bitten" areas will, when the plate is printed, catch ink and appear as spots or oddly inked areas.
FRONTISPIECE
Illustration in a book opposite the title page.
HELIOGRAVURE
A method of making a photo-etched or photogravure plate using an aquatint texture directly
on the plate to create tone.
HORS-COMMERCE/"H.C."
Meaning "outside of the commercial edition", these proofs, not originally intended for sale, are
excluded from the numbering of an edition, but are otherwise exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect.
INTAGLIO
All matrices which have either been cut into or "bitten" into. The resulting "dug out" lines are
printed. Intaglio processes include etching, aquatint, engraving, mezzotint and metal engravings, among others.
LINOCUT/LINOLEUM CUT
A relief process, like a woodcut, where the artist carves the design out of the linoleum or linoleum mounted onto wood. What remains is printed, rather than what is cut away.
LITHOGRAPHY
A planographic printing process where a drawing is made directly on a stone or other smooth matrix with greasy materials such as lithographic crayon. The surface is then dampened with water, which is repelled by the greasy areas. The surface is then rolled with greasy printing ink which adheres only to the greasy areas and is itself repelled by the areas which have water. The drawn image is then printed.
MASTER PRINTER
A highly skilled printer who works very closely with the artist to produce the edition.
MATRIX
The base from which the print is made. This can be anything - a standard metal plate or lithographic stone, a potato or vinyl record, a stencil- anything from which you print.
MEZZOTINT
An intaglio method in which the entire surface of the plate is roughened by a spiked tool ("rocker") so that, if inked, the entire plate would print in solid black. The artist then works from "black" to "white" by scraping (or burnishing) out areas to produce lighter tones.
MONOTYPE
A unique image printed from an unworked, smooth, metal or glass surface painted in ink by
the artist.
MONOPRINT
A print which has as its base an etching, lithograph or woodcut and which is then uniquely altered by monotype coloring, unique inking, or choices in paper color.
OFFSET PRINTING
Method of printing in which the inked image from a lithographic stone, a metal plate or other matrix is first transferred to an intermediary such as a rubber cylinder or blanket and then to paper, thus creating an image in the same direction as the original.
PHOTO-ETCHING/PHOTOGRAVURE
An intaglio process in which an image is produced on an etching plate by photographic means. (See also Heliogravure)
PHOTO·L1THOGRAPH
A process in which an image is produced on a lithographic plate by photographic means.
PLANOGRAPHIC PRINT
Printing from a flat surface. Planographic processes include lithography and some forms of commercial printing.
PLATE MARK
The imprint in the paper resulting from the edge of a metal plate being pushed into it during the
pressure of the printing process.
PLATE TONE
A veil of ink intentionally left on the surface of the plate during printing which creates delicate areas of tone or shading.
POCHOIR
A printing process using stencils. originally used to simulate hand-coloring.
PRINTER'S PROOFS
Impressions printed especially for the printer(s) and excluded from the numbering of an edition.
but exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect. Usually appears as "P.P."
PROGRESSIVE PROOFS
Series of proofs taken to show each individual color plate and each combination of them culminating in the final, complete version.
PUBLISHER
The person or entity who subsidizes and often initiates the making of a print edition or portfolio
and who also disseminates the prints.
RELIEF PRINTING
When the image is printed from the raised or uncarved portion of the matrix. Relief processes include woodcuts and linocuts, among others.
SCREENPRINT/SILKSCREEN
A printing process using stencils to block out areas which are then printed through silk, other fabric or metal mesh.
SOFT-GROUND ETCHING
An etching technique where a soft ground is laid on the metal plate. The artist draws onto a piece of paper which is laid down on top of the ground. The ground adheres to the paper where the pencil or other tool has pressed down into it through the paper and pulls away when the paper is lifted. The resulting "marked" plate is placed in an acid-bath where the acid "bites" into the more exposed areas where the ground has been "lifted". The line created is often soft and grainy.
STATE
An impression taken from the plate at a particular moment or stage of development and distinguished from impressions taken at other times during that process. The final State is the state from which editions are generally pulled, although some artists pull several impressions in each state.
STEEL FACING
When a metal intaglio plate is covered with a thin deposit of steel using electrolysis creating a much harder surface which can accommodate larger numbers of printings before wear becomes evident.
TRIAL PROOF
An early proof, often incorporating artist's revisions and changes and generally not identical to the numbered, editioned prints. Also referred to as Working Proof.
TUSCHE
Grease in stick or liquid form used principally for drawing in lithography.
WATERMARK
Design in the paper seen when held against the light. A manufacturer's mark, it is used to trace the origin and date of the paper.
WAXTYPE
A process like screen-printing where pigmented beeswax is used rather than traditional printer's ink.
WOODCUT
A relief technique where the image or design is left raised above what is carved out of the wood. What is not carved is printed.
FURNITURE
Christie’s does not accept liability for failing to describe any alteration or addition to a Lot which is concealed by upholstery, gilding or painted decoration and could only be detected by physically dismantling the Lot.
POST 1950 FURNITURE
All items of post-1950 furniture included in this sale are items either not originally supplied for use in a private home or now offered solely as works of art. These items may not comply with the provisions of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1989 and 1993, the “Regulations” ). Accordingly, these items should not be used as furniture in your home in their current condition. If you do intend to use such items for this purpose, you must first ensure that they are reupholstered, restuffed and/or recovered (as appropriate) in order that they comply with the provisions of the Regulations.
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
EUROPEAN SCULPTURE AND
WORKS OF ART
“By…”
In our opinion a work by the artist.
“Cast from a model by…”
In our opinion a work from the artist’s model, originating in his circle and cast during his lifetime or shortly thereafter.
“Attributed to…”
In our opinion a work probably by the artist.
“In the style of…”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and closely related to his style.
“Ascribed to…”
A work traditionally regarded as by the artist.
“In the manner of…”
In our opinion a later imitation of the period, of the style or of the artist’s work.
“After…”
In our opinion a copy or aftercast of a work of the artist.
“Signed…”/“Dated…”/“Inscribed…”/“Stamped…”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is by the artist or manufacturer.
“Bearing the signature…”/“Bearing the date…”/ “Bearing the Inscription…”/“Bearing the stamp…”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is not by the artist or manufacturer.
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CERAMICS
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
EUROPEAN CERAMICS
A piece described with the name of a factory, place or region without further qualification was, in our opinion, made in that factory, place or region (e.g. “A Worcester plate”).
Buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
“A plate in the Worcester style”
In our opinion a copy or imitation of pieces made in the named factory, place or region.
“A Sèvres-pattern plate”
In our opinion not made in the factory, place or region named but using decoration inspired by pieces made therein.“A Pratt-ware plate”
In our opinion not made in the factory, place or region named but near in the style or period to pieces made therein.
“A Meissen cup and saucer”
In our opinion both were made at the factory named and match.
“A Meissen cup and a saucer”
In our opinion both pieces were made at the factory named but do not necessarily match.
“Modelled by…”
In our opinion made from the original master mould made by the modeller and under his supervision.“After the model by…”
In our opinion made from the original master mould made by that modeller but from a later mould based on the original.
“Painted by…”
In our opinion can properly be attributed to that decorator on stylistic grounds.
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CHINESE WOA
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
FOR PAINTINGS, PRINTS AND
WORKS OF ART
A work described with the name(s) or recognised designation of an artist or maker, without any qualification, is, in our opinion, a work by the artist or maker. In other cases, the following words or expressions, with the following meanings are used:
Buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
“Attributed to …”
In our opinion probably a work by the artist or maker in whole or in part.
“Circle of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist or maker and showing his influence.
“Manner of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the style of the artist or maker but of a later date.
“After …”
In our opinion a copy of any date of a work of the artist or maker.
“Signed …”/“Sealed …”/
Has a signature/seal which in our opinion is that of the artist
“With signature …”/“With seal …”/
Has a signature/seal which in our opinion is not that of the artist
“Dated …”
Is so dated and in our opinion was executed at about that date.
“With date …”/
Is so dated but was not in our opinion executed at that date.
FOR PORCELAIN AND CERAMICS
(a)
A piece described with the name of a period, reign or dynasty without further qualification was, in our opinion, made during or shortly after that period, reign or dynasty (eg. “a Ming vase”)
(b)
A piece described “in the style of ” a period, reign or dynasty is in our opinion, quite possibly a copy or imitation of pieces made during the named period, reign or dynasty (e.g. “a vase in Ming style”)
(c)
A reference to a “mark and of the period” means that, in our opinion, the piece is of the period of the mark (e.g. “Kangxi six-character mark and of the period”).
(d)
A reference to a mark without reference to “and of the period” means that, in our opinion, although bearing the mark, the pieces were possibly not made in the period of the mark (e.g. “Kangxi six-character mark”).
(e)
Where no date, period, reign or mark is mentioned, the lot is, in our opinion, of uncertain date or 19th or 20th century manufacture.
CLOCKS
Prospective purchasers are reminded that the items in the Sale Particulars are sold ‘as is’. Where possible, significant damage is mentioned in the description of the Lot although this does not include all faults and imperfections or restoration. No warranty is made that any clock is in working order and nothing in the Sale Particulars description of any Lot should be taken as implying such. Neither should the description of any Lot be taken as indicating the absence of restoration or repair or to be a statement as to the condition of the Lot or the state of conservation. Not all clocks are sold with pendulums, weights or keys; please refer to the Sale Particulars text for details of what is sold with each lot.
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DECO ARTS
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
A work described as “by” a maker is in our opinion a work by the maker; a work described as “by” a dealer, is in our opinion a work made specifically for the dealer and originally sold by him, the identity of the actual maker being unknown or unidentifiable.
In other cases, the following words or expressions, with the following meanings are used:
“By …”
In our opinion a work by the artist.
“Cast from a model by …”
In our opinion a work from the artist’s model, originating in his circle and cast during his lifetime or shortly thereafter.
“Attributed …”
In our opinion a work probably by the artist.
“In the style …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and closely related to his style.
“In the manner …”
In our opinion a later imitation of the period, of the style or of the artist’s work.
“After …”
In our opinion a copy or aftercast of a work by the artist.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/“Inscribed …”/
“Stamped …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is by the artist or manufacturer.
“Bearing the signature …”/“Bearing the date …”/“Bearing the inscription …”/
“Bearing the stamp …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is not by the artist or manufacturer.
Our Sale Particulars entries are not intended to describe the condition of the property and buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
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JAPANESE
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
Buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
“Attributed to …”
In our opinion probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
“Circle of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.
“Manner of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but of a later date.
“After …”
In our opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist.
“Signed …”/“Sealed …”/
In our opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist.
“With date …”/
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
FOR PORCELAIN AND CERAMICS
(a) A piece described with the name of a period, reign or dynasty without further qualification was, in our opinion, made during or shortly after that period, reign or dynasty (eg. “a Ming vase”)
(b) A piece described “in the style of ” a period, reign or dynasty is in our opinion, quite possibly a copy or imitation of pieces made during the named period, reign or dynasty (e.g. “a vase in Ming style”)
(c) A reference to a “mark and of the period” means that, in our opinion, the piece is of the period of the mark (e.g. “Kangxi six-character mark and of the period”).
(d) A reference to a mark without reference to “and of the period” means that, in our opinion, although bearing the mark, the pieces were possibly not made in the period of the mark (e.g. “Kangxi six-character mark”).
(e) Where no date, period, reign or mark is mentioned, the lot is, in our opinion, of uncertain date or 19th or 20th century manufacture.
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
Buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
1. OGATA KORIN*
In our qualified opinion a work by the artist.
2. Attributed to OGATA KORIN*
In our qualified opinion a work of the period of the artist which may be in whole or part the work of the artist.
3. Circle of OGATA KORIN*
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work of the period of the artist and closely related in his style.
4. School of OGATA KORIN*
In our qualified opinion a work by a pupil or follower of the artist.
5. Manner of OGATA KORIN*
In our qualified opinion a work in the style of the artist, possibly of a later period.
6. After OGATA KORIN*
In our qualified opinion a copy of the work of the artist.
7. ‘signed’
Has a signature which in our qualified opinion is the signature of the artist.
8. ‘bears signature’ and/or ‘inscribed’
Has a signature and/or inscription which in our qualified opinion might be the signature and/or inscription of the artist.
9. ‘dated’
Is so dated and in our qualified opinion was executed at about that date.
10. ‘bears date’
Is so dated and in our qualified opinion may have been executed at about that date.
11. ‘seal’
Has a seal which in our qualified opinion is a seal of the artist.
12. ‘bears seal’
Has a seal which in our qualified opinion might be a seal of the artist.
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MINIATURES
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
A work described with the name(s) or recognised designation of an artist, without any qualification, is, in our opinion, a work by the artist in whole or in part. In other cases, the following expressions, with the following meanings are used:
“Attributed to …”
In our opinion probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
“Studio of …”/“Workshop of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision.
“Circle of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.
“Follower of …”/“Manner of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/“Inscribed …”
In our opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist.
“With signature …”/“With date …”/
“With inscription …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
Unless otherwise stated, miniatures are on ivory.
Please note that the miniatures may be enlarged or reduced in the Sale Particulars illustrations.
Our Sale Particulars entries are not intended to describe the condition of the property and buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
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PHOTOGRAPHS
Christie’s warrants the authenticity of authorship identified in the UPPER CASE TYPE headings of each lot. Such headings generally indicate the person or persons, publisher or agency responsible for the execution of, or owning the rights to, the negative, positive, digital file or other method employed from which the print, plate, transparency or object being offered for sale is created. While we may indicate in the lot description who we believe to have been the maker, printer or creator of the object offered, the Limited Warranty does not apply to any information regarding the maker, printer or creator of the print, plate, transparency or object being offered.
Please consult a member of the department if you have questions about any specific lots.
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
e.g., Circle of [Thomas Eakins]:
In Christie’s opinion, a work by an artist or artists who worked with or studied under [Thomas Eakins], and which may include [Thomas Eakins].
e.g., Attributed to [Henri Le Secq]:
In Christie’s opinion, a work that may have been executed by [Henri Le Secq] but cannot be definitively determined to be by [Henri Le Secq].
UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER:
In Christie’s opinion, the creator of a photograph, whose identity cannot be definitively determined or attributed.
Copyright:
Christie’s wishes to make clear that all lots are sold without copyright. Images may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright holder.
In addition to the “author” described in upper case type, each lot is generally described by title, medium, negative and printing dates, signatures, various stamps, dimensions and other relevant information in upper and lower case type, all of which are not covered by the Limited Warranty. A sample entry is as follows:
ANSEL ADAMS (1902-1984)
Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico1 19412
gelatin silver print.3 1960s.4
signed in ink on the mount; Carmel credit stamp with title in ink on the reverse of the mount.5
14√ x 19¡ in. (37.8 x 49.3 cm.)6
PROVENANCE:7
From the artist;
Private Collection, California;
with XYZ Gallery;
to the present owner.
EXHIBITED:
Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1979.
LITERATURE:
New York Graphic Society, Ansel Adams: Classic Images, pl.1.
1 Title:
The title is, if known, the title given the work by the artist, the most common used to describe the image, what might appear on the print itself or, in some cases, simply a descriptive title given by Christie’s to untitled works.
2 Negative date
The negative date indicates the date when the negative, positive, digital file or other method was exposed. If the negative date and the date of printing are the same or are assumed to be reasonably close in time so that, for all practical purposes, they are indistinguishable, only one date will appear.
3 Medium:
In Christie’s opinion, the medium is the photographic technique that most accurately describes how the work was executed. A list of photographic techniques appears in the section entitled “Photographic Techniques.”
4 Printing dates:
The date of printing indicates the date when the print, plate, transparency or object being offered for sale was created. When a difference between the negative date and the date of printing of the object is known or assumed, the printing date will follow the medium, separated by a comma.
5 Signatures, stamps, inscriptions:
Christie’s indicates the existence of any wet stamps, blind embossing or written markings that we deem important. Signatures are assumed to be in the hand of the artist.
6 Dimensions:
Measurements are given in both inches and centimetres with height preceding width and refer to the image size only unless otherwise noted.
7 Provenance, Exhibited and Literature:
Provenance is the history of ownership of a work and is listed from the earliest known to most recent. When the provenance includes members of the trade, “with” precedes the dealer or gallery as it is often unknown whether the work was owned by the dealer, on consignment to or brokered by that dealer to the next owner.
Exhibitions listed include those where the actual object offered for sale was included.
Literature references listed indicate that the image is reproduced but is not the work being offered. If the specific object offered for sale is illustrated, the phrase “This print was illustrated in” precedes the literature reference.
Information regarding provenance, exhibition history and literature may not be complete.
Condition reports:
Condition reports are available upon request. Nevertheless, prospective bidders are reminded that each lot is sold “AS IS”, subject to the Conditions of Sale. These are provided as a service to our clients and are prepared by Christie’s specialists. They are not intended as a substitute for physical examination. Christie’s specialists are not trained conservators and the report is not a comprehensive study prepared by a professional conservator. We recommend that prospective purchasers consult their own conservators for evaluation when condition questions arise.
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PICTURES
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
FOR PICTURES, DRAWINGS, PRINTS
AND MINIATURES
Terms used in the Sale Particulars have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements in the Sale Particulars as to authorship are made subject to the provisions of the Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty. Buyers are advised to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
Name(s) or Recognised Designation of an Artist without any Qualification
In Christie’s opinion a work by the artist.
*“Attributed to …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
*“Studio of …”/“Workshop of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision.
*“Circle of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.
*“Follower of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil.
*“Manner of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but of a later date.
*“After …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/
“Inscribed …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist.
“With signature …”/“With date …”/
“With inscription …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion the signature/
date/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
The date given for Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints is the date (or approximate date when prefixed with ‘circa’) on which the matrix was worked and not necessarily the date when the impression was printed or published.
*This term and its definition in this Explanation of Cataloguing Practice are a qualified statement as to authorship. While the use of this term is based upon careful study and represents the opinion of specialists, Christie’s and the consignor assume no risk, liability and responsibility for the authenticity of authorship of any lot in the Sale Particulars described by this term, and the Limited Warranty shall not be available with respect to lots described using this term.
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PRINTS
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
Buyers are recommended to inspect the property themselves. Written condition reports are usually available on request.
Name(s) or Recognised Designation of an Artist without any Qualification
In Christie’s opinion a work by the artist.
*“Attributed to …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
*“Studio of …”/“Workshop of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision.
*“Circle of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.
*“Follower of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil.
*“Manner of …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but of a later date.
*“After …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/
“Inscribed …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist.
“With signature …”/“With date …”/
“With inscription …”
In Christie’s qualified opinion the signature/
date/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
The date given for Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints is the date (or approximate date when prefixed with ‘circa’) on which the matrix was worked and not necessarily the date when the impression was printed or published.
Prints
The date given for Prints is the date (or approximate date when prefixed with ‘ca’) on which the matrix was worked and not necessarily the date when the impression was printed or published. Measurements are taken where possible, from the platemark (‘P’), otherwise they record the size of the sheet (‘S’) or the borderline of the subject (‘L’).
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SILVER
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
Terms used in the Sale Particulars have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements in the Sale Particulars as to Authorship are made subject to the provisions of the CONDITIONS OF SALE.
A GEORGE II SILVER CUP AND COVER
mark of Paul de Lamerie,
London, 1735
In Christie’s opinion either made in the workshop of the master or struck with his sponsor’s mark prior to retailing and hallmarked at the London Assay Office between May 29, 1735 and May 29, 1736. The date letter has usually, but not always, changed since the early 18th century on, or around, May 29. Prior to the 18th century, the date letter changed on various dates ranging from May 8 to August 3. Since 1975, the date letter has run from January 2 to January 1 of the subsequent year.
Other countries and English, Irish and Scottish provincial offices have varying dating systems.
A GEORGE II SILVER CUP AND COVER
circa 1735
In Christie’s opinion made during the specified monarch’s reign and unmarked or struck with illegible marks.
A GEORGE II SILVER CUP AND COVER
bearing transposed marks for London, 1735, with the mark of Paul De Lamerie
In Christie’s opinion made during the specified monarch’s reign and, in all probability, in the workshop of, or sponsored by, the maker cited, but with marks transposed from a previously hallmarked object. Where applicable the Sale Particulars will note that these transposed hallmarks have been cancelled to bring them into conformity with modern English hallmarking laws.
Please note that the ounce weights given in the Sale Particulars are troy ounces.
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RUSSIAN
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
“Maker’s mark of …, 1725”
In our opinion either made in the workshop of the master or struck with his sponsor’s mark prior to retailing between 19th May of the year specified and 18th May of the following year until 1660 and thereafter between 29th May of the year specified and 28th May of the following year until 1975 and thereafter between 2nd January of the year specified and 1st January of the following year. All other countries have varying dating systems.
“1725, maker’s mark …”
In our opinion dated as in the first example and struck with an unidentified sponsor’s mark as described.
“1725 …”
In our opinion dated as in the first example struck with an illegible sponsor’s mark or no sponsor’s mark at all.
“Bearing … marks for 1725”
In our opinion having either spurious or transposed marks.
“(… ozs.)”
In our opinion weighing not less than the specified number of ounces Troy.
“(… grs.)”
In our opinion weighing not less than the specified number of grammes.
“(gross … ozs.)”
In our opinion weighing not less than the specified number of ounces Troy including any non-silver additions (e.g. wooden handles).
“(gross … grs.)”
In our opinion weighing not less than the specified number of grammes including any non-silver additions (e.g. wooden handles).
Descriptions of the metals conform with the Hallmarking Act 1973.
Name(s) or Recognised Designation of an Artist without any Qualification
In Christie’s opinion a work by the artist:
“Attributed to …”
In our opinion probably a work by the artist in whole or in part.
“Studio of …”/“Workshop of …”
In our opinion a work apparently executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision.
“Circle of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence.
“Follower of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil.
“Manner of …”
In our opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but of a later date.
“After …”
In our opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/“Inscribed …”
In our opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist.
“With signature …”/“With date …”/
“With inscription …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription appears to be by a hand other than that of the artist.
The date given for Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints is the date (or approximate date when prefixed with ‘circa’) on which the matrix was worked and not necessarily the date when the impression was printed or published.
“Marked Fabergé, Workmaster …”
In our opinion a work of the master’s workshop inscribed with his name or initials and his workmaster’s initials.
“By Fabergé …”
In our opinion, a work of the master’s workshop, but without his mark.
“In the style of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the master and closely related to his style.
“Bearing marks …”
In our opinion not a work of the master’s workshop and bearing later marks.
In compliance with the 1973 Hallmarking Act, silver alloys of a standard of fineness permitted in Russian but made after 1900 are described as white metal and gold after 1900 as yellow metal.
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SCULPTURE
EXPLANATION OF
CATALOGUING PRACTICE
The following expressions with their accompanying explanations are used by Christie’s as standard cataloguing practice. Our use of these expressions does not take account of the condition of the lot or of the extent of any restoration.
A work described as “by” a maker is in our opinion a work by the maker; a work described as “by” a dealer, is in our opinion a work made specifically for the dealer and originally sold by him, the identity of the actual maker being unknown or unidentifiable.
In other cases, the following words or expressions, with the following meanings are used:
“By …”
In our opinion a work by the artist.
“Cast from a model by …”
In our opinion a work from the artist’s model, originating in his circle and cast during his lifetime or shortly thereafter.
“Attributed to …”
In our opinion a work probably by the artist.
“Workshop of …”
In our opinion a work from the workshop of the artist, possibly executed under his direction.
“Circle of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the artist and closely related to his style.
“Style of …”
In our opinion a later imitation of the period, of the style of the artist’s work.
“After …”
In our opinion a copy or aftercast of a work by the artist.
“Signed …”/“Dated …”/“Inscribed …”/
“Stamped …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is by the artist or manufacturer.
“Bearing the signature …”/“Bearing the date …”/“Bearing the inscription …”/ “Bearing the stamp …”
In our opinion the signature/date/inscription/stamp is not by the artist or manufacturer.
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JEWELLERY
Terms used in the Sale Particulars have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements in thiseas to Authorship are made subject to the provisions of the CONDITIONS OF SALE and LIMITED WARRANTY.
Jewellers in the Title
1. By Boucheron
When maker’s name appears in the title, in Christie’s qualified opinion it is by that maker.
Jewellers beneath the description
2. Signed Boucheron
Has signature which in Christie’s qualified opinion is authentic.
3. With maker’s mark for Boucheron
Has a mark denoting a maker which in Christie’s qualified opinion is authentic.
4. By Boucheron
In Christie’s qualified opinion the object is by the jeweller although unsigned.
5. Mounted by Boucheron
In Christie’s qualified opinion the setting has been created by the jeweller using stones originally supplied by the jeweller’s client.
6. Mount only by Boucheron
In Christie’s qualified opinion the mounting is by the jeweller, but either the gemstones have been replaced or the piece has been altered in some way after its manufacture.
Periods
1. Antique
Over 100 years old
2. Art Nouveau
1895-1910
3. Belle Epoque
1895-1914
4. Art Deco
1915-1935
5. Retro
1940s
- FOR FABERGE
Terms used in the Sale Particulars have the meanings ascribed to them below. Please note that all statements in this Sale Particulars as to Authorship are made subject to the provisions of the CONDITIONS OF SALE and LIMITED WARRANTY.
“Marked Fabergé, Workmaster …”
In our opinion a work of the master’s workshop inscribed with his name or initials and his workmaster’s initials.
“By Fabergé …”
In our opinion, a work of the master’s workshop, but without his mark.
“In the style of …”
In our opinion a work of the period of the master and closely related to his style.
“Bearing marks …”
In our opinion not a work of the master’s workshop and bearing later marks.
In compliance with the 1973 Hallmarking Act, silver alloys of a standard of fineness permitted in Russian but made after 1900 are described as white metal and gold after 1900 as yellow metal.
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IMPORTANT NOTICES - JEWELLERY
CHRISTIE’S INTEREST IN PROPERTY CONSIGNED FOR AUCTION
From time to time, Christie’s may offer a lot which it owns in whole or in part. Such property is identified in the Sale Particulars with the symbol ∆ next to its lot number.
On occasion, Christie’s has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale, which may include guaranteeing a minimum price or making an advance to the consignor that is secured solely by consigned property. Such property is identified in the Sale Particulars with the symbol º next to the lot number. This symbol will be used both in cases where Christie’s holds the financial interest on its own, and in cases where Christie’s has financed all or part of such interest through third parties. When a third party agrees to finance all or part of Christie’s interest in a lot, it takes on all or part of the risk of the lot not being sold, and will be remunerated in exchange for accepting this risk. The third party may also bid for the lot. Where it does so, and is the successful bidder, the remuneration may be netted against the final purchase price. If the lot is not sold, the third party may incur a loss. Where Christie’s has an ownership or financial interest in every lot in the Sale Particulars, Christie’s will not designate each lot with a symbol, but will state its interest at the front of the Sale Particulars.
In this Sale Particulars, if property has º u next to the lot number, Christie’s guarantee of a minimum price has been fully financed through third parties.
ALL DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS ARE APPROXIMATE ONLY
CONDITION
Christie’s Sale Particulars include references to condition only in descriptions of multiple works (such as prints, books and wine). For all other property, only alterations or replacement components are listed. Please contact the Specialist Department for a condition report on a particular lot. The nature of the lots sold in our auctions is such that they will rarely be in perfect condition, and are likely, due to their nature and age, to show signs of wear and tear, damage, other imperfections, restoration or repair. Any reference to condition in the Sale Particulars entry will not amount to a full description of condition. Condition reports are usually available on request, and will supplement the Sale Particulars description. In describing lots, our staff assess the condition in a manner appropriate to the estimated value of the item and the nature of the auction in which it is included. Any statement as to the physical nature or condition of a lot, in a catalogue, condition report or otherwise, is given honestly and with appropriate care. However, Christie’s staff are not professional restorers or trained conservators and accordingly any such statement will not be exhaustive. We therefore recommend that you always view property personally, and, particularly in the case of any items of significant value, that you instruct your own restorer or other professional adviser to report to you in advance of bidding.
REGARDING COLOURED STONES
Prospective buyers are reminded that many coloured gemstones have historically been treated to enhance their appearance. Certain enhancement methods, such as heating, are commonly used to improve both colour or transparency, particularly in rubies and sapphires. Other methods, such as oiling, enhance the clarity of emeralds. These methods have been generally accepted by the international jewellery trade. Although heat enhancement of colour is widely believed to be permanent, it may have some impact on the durability of the gemstone and special care of the stone may be required over time. For example, gemstones which have been oiled may require re-oiling after a period of years to retain their maximum appearance.
It is Christie’s policy to obtain gemmological reports from internationally recognised gemmological laboratories describing certain gemstones sold by Christie’s. The availability of such reports will be disclosed in the Sale Particulars. Reports from American gemmological laboratories used by Christie’s will disclose any heat enhancement or treatment. European gemmological laboratory reports will disclose heat enhancement only if specifically requested but will confirm when no heat enhancement or treatment has been made. Because of variations in approach and technology there may not be consensus among laboratories as to whether any particular gemstone has been treated, the extent of treatment and whether treatment is permanent.
It is not feasible for Christie’s to obtain a gemmological report for each gemstone offered by Christie’s. Prospective buyers should be aware that all gemstones may have been enhanced by some method. For further details, prospective buyers in the United States are referred to the information chart prepared by the Gemstones Standards Commission, available in the viewing area. Prospective buyers may request laboratory reports for any uncertified item if requests are made at least three weeks before the scheduled date of auction. This service is subject to prepayment by the requesting party.
Because enhancement affects market value, Christie’s estimates will reflect the information disclosed in a report or, if no report is available, the assumption that gemstones may have been enhanced.
Condition reports are usually available for all lots upon request and Christie’s specialists will be happy to answer any questions.
NOTICE REGARDING BURMESE STONES
Items which are made of, or contain, rubies or jadeite originating in Burma (Myanmar) may not be imported into the U.S. As a convenience to our bidders, lots which contain rubies or jadeite of Burmese origin or of indeterminate origin have been marked with Y. Please be advised that a purchaser’s inability to import any such item into the U.S. or any other country shall not constitute grounds for nonpayment or cancellation of the sale.
Please note that with respect to items that contain any other types of gemstones originating in Burma (e.g., sapphires), such items may be imported into the U.S., provided that the gemstones have been mounted or incorporated into jewellery outside of Burma and provided that the setting is not of a temporary nature (e.g., a string).
TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OF CLOCKS AND WATCHES
The description of the condition of clocks and watches in the Sale Particulars, including references to defects and repairs, is provided as a service to prospective buyers, but such description is not necessarily complete. While Christie’s will furnish a condition report on any lot to a prospective purchaser upon request, any such report may also be incomplete and may not specify all mechanical replacements or defects. Accordingly, all clocks and watches should be viewed personally by prospective buyers to evaluate the condition of the property offered for sale. All lots are sold “as is,” and the absence of any reference to the condition of a clock or watch does not imply that the lot is in good condition and without defects, repairs or restorations. Virtually all clocks and watches have been repaired in the course of their normal useful lifetime and may now incorporate parts not original to them. Furthermore, Christie’s makes no representation or warranty that any clock or watch is in working order.
Watches are not always illustrated life size, buyers should refer to the Sale Particulars description for the dimensions of each watch.
It should be noted that most wristwatches with water-resistant cases have been opened to identify type and quality of movement. It cannot be assumed that the watches are still waterproof and purchasers are advised to have the watches checked by a competent watch-maker before use.
Please note that gold of less than 18ct. does not qualify in all countries as ‘gold’ and may be refused import. Christie’s cannot accept liability if import is refused.
Please note that all Rolex watches in the Christie’s Sale Particulars are sold as viewed and that Christie’s cannot guarantee the authenticity of any individual component part of these Rolex watches. The bracelets described as “associated” are not part of the original piece and may not be authentic.
As collectors’ watches often contain extremely fine and complex mechanisms, buyers should be aware that a general service, change of battery or further repair work, for which the buyer is solely responsible, may be necessary.
AUTHENTICITY CERTIFICATES
As certain manufacturers may not issue certificates of authenticity, Christie’s has no obligation to furnish a buyer with a certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer, except where specifically noted in the Sale Particulars. Unless Christie’s is satisfied that it should cancel the sale in accordance with the Limited Warranty provided in the Conditions of Sale, the failure of a manufacturer to issue a certificate will not constitute grounds for cancellation of the sale.
PROPERTY INCORPORATING MATERIALS FROM ENDANGERED AND OTHER PROTECTED SPECIES
Property made of or incorporating (irrespective of percentage) endangered and other protected species of wildlife are marked with the symbol ~ in the Sale Particulars. Such material includes, among other things, ivory, tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whale bone and certain species of coral, together with Brazilian rosewood. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit altogether the importation of property containing such materials, and that other countries require a permit (e.g., a CITES permit) from the relevant regulatory agencies in the countries of exportation as well as importation. Accordingly, clients should familiarise themselves with the relevant customs laws and regulations prior to bidding on any property with wildlife material if they intend to import the property into another country. For example, the U.S. generally prohibits the importation of articles containing species that it has designated as endangered or threatened if those articles are less than 100 years old. Please note that it is the client’s responsibility to determine and satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations applying to the export or import of property containing endangered and other protected wildlife material. The inability of a client to export or import property containing endangered and other protected wildlife material is not a basis for cancellation or rescission of the sale. Please note also that lots containing potentially regulated wildlife material are marked as a convenience to our clients, but Christie’s does not accept liability for errors or for failing to mark lots containing protected or regulated species.
REGARDING ESTIMATED WEIGHTS
Certain weights in the Sale Particulars have been estimated through measurement. These figures are to be used as approximate guidelines and should not be relied upon as exact.
LOTS OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Please note that all lots highlighted with red titles in this sale are offered ‘Without Reserve’. These items will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the pre-sale estimate printed in the Sale Particulars. We hope that you will find this visual presentation helpful.