Buying Art at Auction

Buying at auctions is a reliable way to collect art or enrich existing collections.  Germann Auction House Ltd. welcomes all art enthusiasts to our Fine Art Auctions.  

Our auction catalogues are published approximately 3 weeks before the sales. You can order your copy, browse the catalogues online on our webpage or download the PDF catalogue.

We exhibit all artworks during the auction previews and are looking forward to your visit.
 

Forthcoming Art Auction Sales:
23 November 2024: 'Martin Kunz Art Collection'
25-26    November    2024  - Modern, Postwar and Contemporary Art
 Catalogue in preparation:   Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculptures, Portfolios and Artbooks, Photography, Prints and Editions

The auctions and the previews are public

We recommend you to visit the preview exhibitions and to examine the quality and the condition of the works of art. Due to reproduction − catalogue and internet − it might be possible that slight colour deviations occur. Unfortunately, not even the most modern techniques avoid such changes.
 

BIDDING AT AUCTION

We kindly ask you to carefully read the «Conditions of Sale by Auction».
  

watchlist / bidding list on the internet

Presumably, your interest is attracted by several objects and you cannot take an immediate decision. By clicking on the star symbols next to the works in the online catalogue or on the "Save in watchlist" field in the detailed view, you can compile your favorites. The list is designed to be used as your personal working instrument as well as for placing written absentee bids or telephone orders (see below). 

Bidding in person at auction

At the forthcoming auctions, personal participation in the auction room is only possible with prior registration. Please contact: annette.boeckle@germannauktionen.ch, Tel +41 44 251 83 52 or + 41 44 251 83 58.

Potential buyers attending the auction are required to present an official identification document.
By placing a bid, the bidder accepts and acknowledges the conditions of sale by auction.
 
The increments are determined by the auctioneer, but usually never exceed ten percent of the previous bid.

Absentee Bids / Written Order Bids

If you cannot attend the auction in person and wish to bid, you can do so by completing the absentee bid form and submitting your written bid.

Online: For lots of your interest click on the page detailed view into the field «save to my watchlist/bidding form». On the menu items «Auctions» and «My Watchlist/Bidding Form» you see the collected artworks of your interest. On your Watchlist/Bidding Form, you can edit your selection and put in your maximum bids. Just print the list, insert your complete address and personal details and send it duly signed together with a copy of your passport or copy of your identity card either by post, fax, or E-mail to Germann Auction House Ltd.

A «Blank List» can also be printed and filled out in handwriting. The form is also included in each catalogue. 

Your bid with your maximum amount will not be exceeded. The premium on the hammer price and the applicable Swiss VAT (value-added tax) are not included in your bid and will be added to the price. As a rule, the lots will always be bought for the lowest increment that exceeds all competing bids and which meets or exceeds the reserve price.

The duly signed forms must reach Germann Auction House Ltd. no later than 24 hours before the auction starts. 

We strongly recommend that you send in your written order bids as early as possible because, in the event of identical bids, the earliest received will take precedence. 

Bids by telephone

If you decide to bid by telephone we will call you during the auction at your specified phone number short before the desired lot comes up.

Please ensure your telephone lines are not occupied and that you have the catalogue available. As a rule, the auction proceeds rather fast and therefore, it is advisable that you roughly decide in advance on the amount you are willing to pay. The premium on the hammer price and the applicable Swiss VAT are not included in your bid and will be added to the price. Our team is eager to actively engage you in the auction process and will help you to successfully place your bids. 

To place your telephone order:  Create your «Watchlist/Bidding Form»  as described in the above section «Absentee Bids/Written Order Bids». Instead of filling in an amount you just write «Phone Order» and state the telephone number (including country code) at which you can be reached during the time the auction takes place and send it duly signed together with a copy of your passport or identity card either by post, fax or e-mail to Germann Auction House Ltd.

The duly signed forms must reach Germann Auction House Ltd. no later than 24 hours before the auction begins.
The telephone lines are limited.

Live-Online-Auctions / Online-Bidding

Our auctions can also be followed and participated live online from home. Potential buyers who intend to place their bids in the course of a «Live-Online Auction»  may participate in the auction once their registration application has been approved by Germann Auctions House Ltd. Germann Auctions House reserves the right to decline registration applications at its discretion. Registration for online bidding is possible via the button «Online-Bidding» for the respective auction. If the winning bid is placed in the course of a  «Live Online Auction», please note that there will be an additional 3% added to the regular premium.

Premium

All buyers shall pay a premium on the hammer price for each lot, calculated as follows:

For a hammer price up to CHF 100'000: 25%

For a hammer price above CHF 100'000:
25% on the first CHF 100'000
22% on the difference between CHF 100'000 up to the hammer price

If the winning bid is placed in the course of a "Live Online Auction", there will be an additional 3% added to the premium. Bidders are subject to the terms and conditions of Germann Auctions House Ltd. as listed on the Live Auction Website, which may differ in some respects from those listed here. 

Value added tax (VAT / MWST)

The above-mentioned buyer's premium is subject to the Swiss VAT.
For lots marked with an asterisk (*) both, the price at which the object has been knocked down and the buyer's premium are subject to the Swiss VAT.

After an export declaration, duly signed by the Swiss customs authorities, has been received, Germann Auction House Ltd. will refund the Swiss VAT, provided that the sum exceeds CHF 50.

Payment and release of acquired objects

You may pay for your purchase immediately after the auction by going to the cashier and taking the objects with you. Payment by check or credit card is not accepted. Otherwise, the invoice will be sent to you by mail or Email and must be paid within 10 days either by bank or post transfer. Late payments are due to a penalty of 1% interest per calendar month.

The purchase will be released after receiving the buyer’s full payment of the hammer price, premium and, if applicable taxes. You may pay for your purchase immediately after the auction by going to the Cashiers or an invoice will be mailed to you following the sale.

The object acquired must be picked up at the close of the auction or within 10 days thereafter at the risk and expense of the buyer. After that, the objects will be stored at the risk and expense of the buyer. The daily rate is CHF 10 per object.
The buyer is fully liable for the loss, theft, damage, or destruction of the acquired items. Germann Auction House Ltd. ceases to have liability after the said period.

We look forward to your participation in our auctions. 

Germann Auction House Ltd. 

• Member of the Association of Swiss Auctioneers
• Partner of THE ART LOSS REGISTER. All artworks with an estimate of at least CHF 1500 are checked against The Art Loss Register’s database before the auctions.
   

Germann Auctions House Ltd., Stockerstrasse 38, 8002 Zurich (Switzerland)
Telephone +41 44 251 83 58   |   Fax +41 44 261 53 87    |    art@germannauctions.com