“During these days, we often discover rare objects and quite often present them for sale. Being very generalists, we can appraise and sell any object as soon as it has a collector’s interest, “says Quentin Breda, one of the curators present this Wednesday at the Best Western + hotel, located 9 allée Raymond-Poincaré in Thionville. Last year, 34 people went to meet them. “In Thionville, we sold quite a few gold coins, a Rolex watch at €3,500 and a very pretty Gallé vase at €1,200. “Out of ten appointments, five objects are really interesting. And of the five, two to three entrust them to us. Others come mainly to get an estimate. At least, like that, they know what they have at home, ”continues the professional.
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A small box at €42,000
Concretely, what happens if we agree to sell? “We establish a contract of mandate and we leave a duplicate to our seller. It includes the description, the minimum reserve price, the date of sale, the costs. We do not buy items directly, unlike an antique dealer. We are agents and we are paid only when we fulfill our mission, that is to say when we succeed in selling, during an auction in our auction room in the Drouot district. We retain a fee of 22.8% including VAT of the sale price. Our interests and those of our seller are therefore linked: the more expensive we sell, the more we are rewarded. If we are unable to sell, we do not retain any transport, file, storage or other costs. We return the item free of charge. »
They even sometimes come across exceptional objects. Like last January in Menton. “While we had come to estimate a vase, a lady took the opportunity to show us a small box, entirely covered in gold and micromosaics. After investigation, it turned out that it was the work of Jean-Valentin Morel, a famous goldsmith of the 19th century. We first settled on €1,000 and then €4,000. In the end, we sold it for €42,000. Needless to say, the seller did not expect it at all. »
Wednesday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Best Western + hotel, 9, allée Raymond-Poincaré, in Thionville. Mandatory appointment: 06 20 14 34 09 or [email protected]
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