Ader

Ader: the story of an auction house founded 300 years ago

Ader is an iconic institution in the French art market. It has embodied this market, experiencing both its glories and its ups and downs. Founded at the very end of the 17th century, it enjoyed considerable growth in the 19th century before establishing itself as the leading auction house of the 20th century. In the early 2000s, as the sector was severely disrupted by a succession of global economic crises, the auction house was forced to reinvent itself.

Rémi Ader, who at that time was solely responsible for the auction house’s future, decided to transform its name into a brand and to share the management with a young auctioneer, David Nordmann. This marked the start of a new adventure. They were soon joined by Xavier Dominique, and together they set out to write a new chapter in Ader’s history.

“We naturally chose to keep the name Ader and to relocate to Rue Favart, in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement – the auction house’s historic stronghold – in the heart of the antiques district and near the Hôtel Drouot,” explains David Nordmann.

Organising the auction house around key specialities, championed by leading experts and dedicated auction sessions; surrounding oneself with a committed team whose members do not necessarily come from within the inner circle but are all driven by the same passion for art and the history of objects; opting for a carefully curated selection of lots and taking the time to document them thoroughly to ensure the quality of the sales: this new approach, pioneered by the auctioneers, has proven its effectiveness through continuous growth recorded over the past 15 years.

“Anchoring this centuries-old institution firmly in the modern era is a marvellous paradox that we are proud to champion alongside our team and all the clients who place their trust in us.”