How to buy
For over four centuries, the French tradition of publicly auctioning personal property has provided unique guarantees of professionalism and secure transactions. The auctions are called public because they are open to all: anybody may attend as a spectator, place bids and acquire lots. An auction therefore allows a "fair price" to be established for an object, thanks to a transparent and public confrontation of offer and demand. It is also a unique opportunity to discover the art market and learn how to appreciate the works.
uk.drouot.com is an online platform.
Auctions are organized by auctioneers located in France or worldwide.
Their contact details are available on their online catalogue in the section “Auctioneer”.
Auctions are organized by auctioneers located in France or worldwide.
Their contact details are available on their online catalogue in the section “Auctioneer”.
Find the objets of your dreams
Our search engine specialised in the art market is designed to facilitate your search: make your choice by keyword, specialty, price-range, date of sale, location of sale, or auction house, and gain direct access to a selection of objects made for you.
Mark your objects as favourites and access them through your account and in the menu bar.
Mark your objects as favourites and access them through your account and in the menu bar.
S'identifier
Before bidding, any user of Drouot.com must create an account. This personal account states your identity, preferences, works of art selected as "favourites" and allows to register for a sale before bidding.
Three types of sales
LIVE AUCTIONSLIVE
Live auctions are live streams of physical auctions.
With this live stream, bidders can watch a sale and bid live, as if they were physically attending the auction.
ONLINE AUCTIONSONLINE
Online auctions are exclusively digital sales. There is no physical public exhibition nor auction. Works of art are offered during a fixed period (often one or two weeks) and users can bid until the end of the auction.
BUY NOW
Buy now sales are not auctions. They are sales where the works of art are offered at a fixed price. When clicking on “Buy now”, users will be directed to the payment module.
Live auctions are live streams of physical auctions.
With this live stream, bidders can watch a sale and bid live, as if they were physically attending the auction.
ONLINE AUCTIONSONLINE
Online auctions are exclusively digital sales. There is no physical public exhibition nor auction. Works of art are offered during a fixed period (often one or two weeks) and users can bid until the end of the auction.
BUY NOW
Buy now sales are not auctions. They are sales where the works of art are offered at a fixed price. When clicking on “Buy now”, users will be directed to the payment module.
PARTICIPATE IN AN AUCTION
There are three ways of participating in an auction. Whatever the chosen way, users must have registered to an auction.
Bid live
When bidding live, users must click the “xxx” button to express the wish to overbid. The Digital clerk, physically present in the auction saleroom will take the user’s bid and express it to the auctioneer.
Automatic bid
By leaving an automatic bid, you authorize our system will bid for you and never exceed the amount you asked. The auctioneer does not know the amount you set up. During the sale, our system will bid for you respecting auction's progression. You benefit from the guarantee of a purchase at the fairest price if you win the auction.
Absentee bid
An absentee bid is a warrant forwarded to the auctioneer, which indicates the maximum amount that you are willing to pay for the lot. Before the auction, the auctioneer will review your bid. During the sale, the auctioneer bids on your behalf up to the limit you have set. You can place an absentee bid for all sales which have a catalogue on uk.drouot.com, whether or not they are broadcast live.
Bid live
When bidding live, users must click the “xxx” button to express the wish to overbid. The Digital clerk, physically present in the auction saleroom will take the user’s bid and express it to the auctioneer.
Automatic bid
By leaving an automatic bid, you authorize our system will bid for you and never exceed the amount you asked. The auctioneer does not know the amount you set up. During the sale, our system will bid for you respecting auction's progression. You benefit from the guarantee of a purchase at the fairest price if you win the auction.
Absentee bid
An absentee bid is a warrant forwarded to the auctioneer, which indicates the maximum amount that you are willing to pay for the lot. Before the auction, the auctioneer will review your bid. During the sale, the auctioneer bids on your behalf up to the limit you have set. You can place an absentee bid for all sales which have a catalogue on uk.drouot.com, whether or not they are broadcast live.
A QUESTION ?
In case of further enquiries, consult our help section and the FAQ (frequently asked questions) or contact our customer service department:
• N° Indigo : 0 825 008 116
• [email protected]
• Chatbox
• N° Indigo : 0 825 008 116
• [email protected]
• Chatbox
The Hôtel Drouot hosts nearly 1,200 auctions each year, most of which are presented in a catalogue.
The auction catalogue includes key information about an item: its description, its stylistic characteristics, its date, its condition, its provenance and its estimate.
The catalogue also sets out the general conditions of sale; it is recommended to read it before bidding.
The catalogues are available at the Hôtel Drouot, on the auction calendar at drouot.com and on the websites of the respective auction houses.
The auction catalogue includes key information about an item: its description, its stylistic characteristics, its date, its condition, its provenance and its estimate.
The catalogue also sets out the general conditions of sale; it is recommended to read it before bidding.
The catalogues are available at the Hôtel Drouot, on the auction calendar at drouot.com and on the websites of the respective auction houses.
The public exhibition
Each auction at Drouot is preceded by a public exhibition, so interested parties can assess the condition of the items on offer. The viewing takes place the day before the auction from 11am to 6pm and on the morning of the sale, between 11am and 12pm.
The auctioneers and their colleagues are available to answer any question asked about the lots, their provenance, condition or estimate.
A virtual tour of Drouot’s auction rooms can be accessed as soon as the presale exhibition starts.
The auctioneers and their colleagues are available to answer any question asked about the lots, their provenance, condition or estimate.
A virtual tour of Drouot’s auction rooms can be accessed as soon as the presale exhibition starts.
The auction
There are four ways to bid during an auction.
The striking of the "sold" hammer signifies the transfer of ownership of the item to the last bidder. In the room, the crier gives the buyer a ticket, allowing them to take possession of their purchase, after payment has been made to the auction house. Successful bidders, who have made their purchases by absentee bid, over the phone or on the Internet, are contacted by the auction house regarding payment and the collection of their lot.
In the room:
No prior registration is necessary. To place a bid, you can get the auctioneer's attention with a hand gesture. In this case, the amount of the bid is left to their judgement. To offer a specific amount, we recommend that you say it out loud.By absentee bid:
an absentee bid may be submitted to the auctioneer or one their colleagues during the exhibition. It authorises the auctioneer to bid on behalf of anyone who is not physically present in the auction room. The absentee bid specifies the maximum amount that the bidder wishes to spend.By telephone:
it is possible, upon request, to be called by a representative of the auction house in order to bid live on one or several lots.On the Internet:
catalogued and listed auctions taking place at Drouot are broadcasted live on Drouot. You can easily place bids wherever you are by creating an account on this secure platform.The striking of the "sold" hammer signifies the transfer of ownership of the item to the last bidder. In the room, the crier gives the buyer a ticket, allowing them to take possession of their purchase, after payment has been made to the auction house. Successful bidders, who have made their purchases by absentee bid, over the phone or on the Internet, are contacted by the auction house regarding payment and the collection of their lot.
Payment
In a voluntary sale, the final price includes the hammer price plus the buyer's premium, which is freely set by the auction house. The buyer’s premium is detailed in the catalogue and announced at the beginning of the auction; they may be decreasing according to the price.
Payment can be made in cash, by cheque, or by card. At the time of payment, the successful bidder is given an invoice that, together with the ticket, enables them to collect the object.
payment in cash is allowed for sums of up to €1,000 for private buyers or professionals residing in France and professionals residing abroad. Cash payments cannot exceed €15,000 for private buyers not residing in France, upon presentation of written proof.
In the case of payment by cheque, the purchase cannot be collected until after the cheque has cleared.
Payment can be made in cash, by cheque, or by card. At the time of payment, the successful bidder is given an invoice that, together with the ticket, enables them to collect the object.
payment in cash is allowed for sums of up to €1,000 for private buyers or professionals residing in France and professionals residing abroad. Cash payments cannot exceed €15,000 for private buyers not residing in France, upon presentation of written proof.
In the case of payment by cheque, the purchase cannot be collected until after the cheque has cleared.
Withdrawal of lots
Drouot's Storage Service is open Monday to Friday from from 1:30pm to 6pm.
If you are unable to collect your lot immediately, the Storage Service will take care of it.
More information here.
If you are unable to collect your lot immediately, the Storage Service will take care of it.
More information here.
