Castres. Experts estimate your items in the hope of making a “done deal”

“We had a very good day in Castres” remembers Quentin Breda who was one of the three auctioneers of the Rossini auction house, located in Paris in the Drouot district, who came to the Tarn sub-prefecture there. a year and a half offer Castres and inhabitants of surrounding towns a free valuation service for objects. And the expert therefore returns with enthusiasm this Tuesday, January 11 for a new estimate. Hoping to unearth nuggets that he could resell at auction in his Paris auction room for the benefit of sellers who also dream of good surprises to transform their objects which, often, gather dust in an attic or a cellar of their house, in cash thus making a beautiful “concluded deal”. At the star of the famous show from France 2. More than 80 people showed up with various objects throughout the day in September 2020. And Quentin Breda remembers several estimates that made good sales in the stride. Like this bronze by Jean Léon Gérome representing the branches, Christ entering Jerusalem. “The seller knew that it was worth a certain price. We estimated it between 5,000 and 6,000 € but he wanted more so he left with it. But we are not a magician, we estimate according to the market”, explains the auctioneer. But after having thought about it, the South Tarnais returned with his sculpture. “We finally sold it for € 8,000. It is the aim of the game that it goes up to auction. If we had estimated it above, we would probably not have sold it”, continues Quentin Breda. In Castres, the Rossini house also left with a painting by Hippolyte Pierre estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 € and sold for 6,000. Or with two bottles of Moho Rum sold for 1,650 €. A gold lady’s watch with an Omega signed dial was sold for € 2,300. Three medals, including one in gold signed Desaide Alphonse, dating from the end of the 19th century, were also sold for € 2,000.

But the Rossini house appraises all kinds of goods which can range from old and modern paintings, to Asian art, including jewelry or pieces, old and vintage furniture… Quentin Breda, who travels through France, remembers of this lady who came with three chairs during an estimate in Saint-Dizier. “They were chairs by Jean Prouvé, a great artist designer of the 20th century. She did not know it and hoped for € 200. And we sold them for € 16,000 at auction”, explains the expert who is also looking for stamps, great wines, old toys or unusual objects sometimes amassed over a lifetime by passionate collectors. “In terms of price, auctions are not only reserved for objects which smash records, we accept any good which has a collector’s interest and whose value is at least 50 €”, explains the specialist. At the end of these meetings, people who wish to present appraised and valued objects for sale can simply entrust them to the auctioneers in order to sell them at auction. “We then transport them free of charge to Paris. And we do not sell below the reserve price agreed with the seller, continues the expert who has every interest in raising the stakes. We take a commission then the more we sell and the more satisfied we are and the more satisfied the salesperson. Our destinies are linked “. Others may simply come and have their objects valued out of simple curiosity without wishing to sell them.