Auction Basics

Today, modern innovations such as broadcasting sales over the Internet and accepting bids online in real time allow you to participate in our auctions from anywhere in the world.
View glossary of terms to familiarize yourself with the language of auctions.

Who can attend an auction?

Artı Mezat Auction House House auctions are free and open to the public, and there is no obligation to bid. Most auctions are held during the day, except for occasional evening sales, which require tickets. You may also watch our auctions online.

Who are the auctioneers?

Artı Mezat Auction auctioneers are trained professionals, often with decades of experience. The auctioneer initiates the sale of each lot by briefly describing the item and then starting the bidding at a price that is lower than its reserve . The auctioneer acknowledges every bidder, whether they are in the sale room, participating via BID now or over the telephone. They also place bids on behalf of absentee bidders . The auctioneer, whose authority is final, determines when the highest bid has been made and declares the lot sold.

How does bidding work?

After the auctioneer starts the bidding, they will accept incrementally higher bids until a sole bidder remains. This final bidder purchases the lot. However, if the bidding fails to reach the reserve price , the lot will pass unsold.

What types of auctions does Artı Mezat Auction House hold?

Artı Mezat Auction House auctions generally comprise fine arts, antiques and decorative arts, books and manuscripts, jewelery and wine in sales dedicated to each collecting area. Occasionally, however, Artı Mezat Auction House offers unusual items of great rarity or value — for example, the original rules of basketball or a perfectly preserved dinosaur skeleton — or sells the entire contents of magnificent homes or the estates of great collectors and luminaries.