FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Hargesheimer’s FAQ. Here you’ll find answers to common questions about our auctions, private sales, and the Buy Now platform.
Use the sections below to explore how to register, buy, sell, and manage your account.
Hargesheimer stands as one of the leading European auction houses — a refined presence in Düsseldorf’s art world and a global cornerstone for excellence in fine art.
Founded in 2007, we have earned international recognition as a world authority in Fine Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery & Watches, Asian Art, Icons, and Russian Art.
Under the guidance of Susanne and Frank Hargesheimer, whose expertise continues to shape our vision, we curate auctions both online and on house, alongside private sales and an online marketplace.
Our strength lies in a unique combination of authenticity, specialist expertise, and a heritage-driven culture shaped by longstanding family values. At Hargesheimer, excellence is not just a standard — it is a promise.
We organise more than 15 specialised auctions each year across Fine Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery & Watches, Asian Art, Icons, and Russian Art.
In addition to our auction programme, we offer curated private sales and a digital marketplace enabling clients to buy at any time, from anywhere.
Explore upcoming sales in our auction calendar.
Visit our online auction calendar to browse upcoming sales and view individual lots in advance.
You may also subscribe to our newsletter for early access to highlights and curated features.
Hargesheimer produces both digital and printed catalogues for our auctions. Full lot information — including images, condition details, and catalogue notes — can always be accessed online via our auction listings or through your Hargesheimer account.
Registered clients may view digital catalogues and follow sales of interest. To receive a printed catalogue, please contact our Client Service team.
Auction results are available as soon as a sale has closed.
Visit our Past Auctions to browse hammer prices, buyer’s premiums, and detailed lot information.
Yes. All works are available for public exhibition one week prior to the auction at our Düsseldorf premises.
Private viewings may also be arranged by appointment. Please contact [email protected].
Yes. As a member of the Art Loss Register and the Federal Association of German Art Auctioneers, we are fully committed to the restitution of stolen or looted artworks.
Every item undergoes rigorous provenance checks against international databases, including the Art Loss Register, Interpol’s Stolen Works of Art, and ICOM Red Lists.
We collect data provided during account creation and through your purchase or sale history.
Your data is used solely to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, and protect client interests.
Further details are available in our cookie policy.
To exercise your rights under data protection law, please contact [email protected].
We promote the circular economy through resale, digital catalogues, eco-friendly packaging, consolidated shipments, and virtual bidding options.
Hargesheimer conducts thorough provenance research and follows strict international regulations to prevent the sale of looted or illegally exported works.
ESG principles ensure transparency, ethical handling of artworks, sustainability, and long-term cultural stewardship across every transaction.
Creating a Hargesheimer account opens the door to our world of extraordinary art, antiques, and collectibles.
With your account, you can:
- Save favourites to your personal wishlist and follow upcoming auctions or specific lots
- Receive bespoke newsletters tailored to your collecting preferences
- Access your orders, recipients, and shipping details in one central place
Your account provides a seamless, curated experience—designed to make browsing, bidding, and buying as effortless as possible.
To comply with legal anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions regulations—and to protect our clients against fraud—Hargesheimer is required to verify client identity before you can buy, sell, or consign items.
The exact documents required may vary depending on the type of transaction and may be updated in accordance with current regulations.
Private individuals may be asked to provide:
- Government-issued photo identification (e.g. passport or national ID)
- Proof of residential address (such as a bank statement or utility bill issued within the last three months)
Organisations may be asked to provide:
- Company registration or incorporation documents
- Registered office and business address
- Details of directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
- Authorisation for individuals permitted to act on behalf of the organisation, including government-issued photo ID for each authorised representative
In some cases, a financial reference or deposit may be required before bidding approval can be granted.
Documents can be securely submitted to our Client Services team at [email protected].
All information is processed in accordance with Hargesheimer’s privacy policy and applicable regulations.
You can manage your communication preferences at any time by signing into your Hargesheimer account, selecting the My Account section, and updating your communication settings.
If you no longer wish to receive marketing emails, simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any message.
For further assistance, please contact our Client Service team at [email protected].
Go to the Login page and click “Forgot Password”.
Enter the email address associated with your Hargesheimer account.
You will receive an email containing a secure link to reset your password.
If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, please check your spam or junk folder.
If you need additional assistance, our Client Service team will be happy to help.
In auction terminology, a lot refers to an individual item or a group of items offered for sale under a single number in the catalogue.
Each lot is described and illustrated in our catalogues and on our website. When you place a bid, you are bidding on the entire lot as presented.
Hargesheimer serves collectors worldwide. You may participate in our auctions and purchase items from any location globally.
We provide full international support for bidding, payment, shipping, and customs arrangements to ensure a seamless experience.
- Fine Art – Old Masters, 19th-century works, Modern & Contemporary paintings, works on paper, and sculpture
- Decorative Arts & Antiques – Furniture, porcelain, glass, silverware, clocks, bronzes, and European & Asian ceramics
- Jewellery & Watches – Antique and modern pieces, including signed works by Cartier, Rolex, and Boucheron
- Icons & Russian Art – Ecclesiastical art, Fabergé objects, and imperial artefacts
- Asian Art – Chinese porcelain and jade, Japanese lacquer and netsuke, scroll paintings, Himalayan ritual objects, and Buddhist art
- Modern Design & Lifestyle – Contemporary decorative objects, designer furniture, lighting, and sculpture
New works are introduced throughout the year via live auctions, online auctions, and our digital marketplace.
Yes. Upon request, our specialists prepare detailed condition reports to help you bid with confidence.
Additional photographs and documentation may be provided upon request.
Where applicable, certificates of authenticity, provenance documentation, or specialist reports may be requested prior to bidding.
To bid on behalf of a company, please contact our Client Service team to set up a corporate account.
You may be asked to provide:
- Evidence of the organisation’s incorporation
- Registered office and business address
- Details of directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners
- Passport copy of a managing director
- Written authorisation for permitted bidders, including government-issued photo ID
Corporate documents may be sent to [email protected]. In some cases, a financial reference and/or deposit may be required.
Bidding typically begins just below the published low estimate and advances in set increments. The auctioneer may adjust increments at their discretion.
| Amount | Increment |
|---|---|
| $100 – $2,000 | by $100s |
| $2,000 – $3,000 | by $200s |
| $3,000 – $5,000 | $200 / $500 / $800 |
| $5,000 – $10,000 | by $500s |
| $10,000 – $20,000 | by $1,000s |
| $20,000 – $30,000 | by $2,000s |
| $30,000 – $50,000 | $2,000 / $5,000 / $8,000 |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | by $5,000s |
| $100,000 – $200,000 | by $10,000s |
| Above $200,000 | Auctioneer’s discretion |
No. Once a bid has been submitted at Hargesheimer, it cannot be cancelled.
All bids—whether placed in person, by telephone, via absentee form, or through third-party platforms—are legally binding.
For full details, please refer to our Conditions of Sale .
The fall of the auctioneer’s hammer confirms a final and legally binding sale.
You will receive an invoice detailing the hammer price, buyer’s premium, applicable taxes, and any additional charges. Once payment is received, collection or shipping can be arranged.
In addition to the hammer price, buyers must pay a buyer’s premium and, where applicable, VAT, artist’s resale right (droit de suite), and shipping or customs charges.
Buyer’s Premium:
- Differential taxation (most lots): 28% incl. VAT
- Standard taxation (lots marked “*”): 24% + 19% VAT
Artist’s Resale Right (Droit de Suite):
Applies to qualifying works by living artists or those deceased within the last 70 years. Lots are marked “**”.
Shipping, insurance, customs duties, and export fees are charged separately.
- Bank transfer (preferred) – payment due within 7 days
- Credit or EC card – subject to a 3% processing surcharge
- Cash – accepted up to €10,000
- Cheques – accepted for collection purposes only
In-room bidders must pay immediately after the fall of the hammer.
Online and absentee bidders must settle payment within 10–14 days of invoice issuance.
Property will only be released or shipped once full payment has been received.
Live auctions:
- Assisted shipping arranged by Hargesheimer
- Self-arranged collection or transport
Online-only auctions and marketplace:
Shipping is arranged directly by the seller and communicated at checkout.
All shipping, insurance, and packing costs are borne by the buyer. Risk transfers at the fall of the hammer.
Yes. Certain artworks require export licences or import permits. Our team will guide you and assist where possible.
Responsibility for permits and associated costs rests with the client. Requirements and processing times vary by country.
Our post-sale team in Düsseldorf will be pleased to assist you with any queries regarding payment, collection, or shipping.
You can contact us via:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +49 (0)211 3020 8010
Contact Form: Available on our website
We are here to support you at every stage of the process and ensure a smooth and efficient experience.
Auction purchases are final once the hammer falls and cannot be cancelled or returned.
However, in line with leading international auction houses, Hargesheimer provides an authenticity warranty subject to our Conditions of Sale .
If, within the stated period and criteria, a lot is proven not to be as described with regard to authorship or authenticity, we will arrange an appropriate remedy in accordance with those Conditions.
Hargesheimer accepts consignments across a wide range of categories, including:
- Fine Art – Old Masters, 19th Century, Modern & Contemporary works
- Decorative Arts & Antiques – Furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, bronzes, and European or Asian ceramics
- Jewellery & Watches – Antique and modern pieces, signed jewellery, and luxury watches
- Icons & Russian Art – Religious icons, Fabergé objects, and imperial artefacts
- Asian Art – Chinese porcelain, jade, Japanese lacquer, netsuke, scrolls, and Buddhist art
- Modern Design & Lifestyle – Design objects, contemporary sculpture, decorative objects, furniture, and lighting
If you are unsure whether your item is eligible, our specialists will be pleased to advise you.
Selling with Hargesheimer is simple and discreet. Works may be offered through live or online auctions, Private Sales, or the Buy Now marketplace.
Private collectors: Submit images for a free valuation. If you proceed, you will receive a Consignment Agreement and we will manage cataloguing, photography, marketing, and sale.
Corporate sellers: Galleries, estates, institutions, and traders may contact our specialists for tailored solutions.
Proceeds are typically transferred within 35 days of sale.
Yes. All consignments undergo scholarly evaluation and provenance research, with external experts consulted where appropriate.
Yes. We regularly work with international consignors and assist with transport, insurance, and customs documentation.
For online-only sales, sellers must be EU-based corporate entities due to regulatory requirements.
We recommend submitting items 8–12 weeks before the auction.
View upcoming auctions, Private Sales, or Buy Now.
Our consignment terms are transparent and cover commission, insurance, and promotional costs.
Please refer to our consignment terms and conditions .
We offer live and online auctions, Private Sales for discreet brokerage, and Buy Now for fixed-price sales.
A specialist will review your submission and provide a non-binding estimate within 7–14 business days.
A reserve is the confidential minimum sale price, agreed with our specialists.
Your item will be catalogued, photographed, marketed online and in print, and may be exhibited publicly in Düsseldorf.
Unsold items enter a post-auction marketing period of up to three months and may later be offered via the Online Marketplace.
Proceeds are transferred approximately 35 days after the auction, subject to buyer payment and compliance checks.
Withdrawal may be possible in limited circumstances and may incur fees. Please contact us as early as possible.
Hargesheimer Private Sales offer a discreet and bespoke way to buy or sell exceptional works outside the auction calendar.
This service is ideal for clients seeking:
- Access to unique pieces not available at auction
- Flexible timing and personalised negotiation
- Tailored sourcing, where Hargesheimer actively searches for specific works on your behalf
- Confidential transactions handled directly between buyer and seller
Private Sales provide exclusive opportunities with direct expert guidance, ensuring a highly personalised and strategic approach to acquisition or sale.
To explore current opportunities or discuss a specific request, please contact the specialist listed on the item.
Selling privately with Hargesheimer is simple and confidential.
To begin, please contact the relevant specialist and provide:
- Clear images of the item (front, back, and any signatures or marks)
- Dimensions and materials
- Provenance or ownership history, if available
Our specialists will review your submission, provide a valuation, and confirm whether your item is suitable for Private Sale.
If accepted, we will design a tailored strategy to place your work directly with qualified buyers or to source discreet offers through our international network.
All enquiries are handled with discretion, and there is no obligation until you formally consign the item.
If the work you are seeking is not currently offered in one of our auctions or marketplace listings, our Private Sales service can assist you.
One of the key advantages of Private Sales at Hargesheimer is our ability to actively source specific works on behalf of our clients.
Leveraging our extensive network of collectors, estates, and institutions, we can discreetly locate pieces that are not publicly on the market.
Our specialists will work closely with you to understand your collecting criteria and will continue searching until the right opportunity becomes available.
Hargesheimer dedicates its full resources to identifying the right buyer as efficiently as possible.
The timeframe depends on market demand, pricing, and the uniqueness of the work.
Each enquiry is assessed individually by our specialists, who will advise on the viability of a Private Sale and provide guidance on the expected timeframe.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and advise on the most effective strategy to achieve a successful result.
You can browse available works by category on our Private Sales page .
We also curate thematic selling exhibitions and encourage you to contact our specialists directly if you are searching for a specific work.
Our team will be pleased to guide you through what is currently available and to source works tailored to your collecting interests.
If you are interested in a Private Sales work, please contact the specialist listed on the product page.
They will guide you through the entire process, including viewing arrangements, pricing, and purchase terms.
Once the purchase is agreed, you will receive:
- An invoice and payment instructions
- A shipping quotation tailored to your delivery preferences
Please note that full payment must be received before the property can be released or shipped.
Hargesheimer Buy Now is our online marketplace, where you can purchase works of art, antiques, jewellery, watches, and collectibles immediately at fixed prices—without waiting for an auction or bidding against other buyers.
The platform features curated offerings from Hargesheimer as well as trusted partners, including leading auction houses, art dealers and galleries, antiquarians, and jewellery houses and brands.
Each item is reviewed or selected by our specialists to ensure quality, authenticity, and market relevance. New works are added throughout the year, creating a dynamic and continually evolving selection.
Unlike auctions, prices are final and immediate—allowing you to buy with certainty and convenience.
Discover more on our Buy Now page .
Hargesheimer Buy Now offers a seamless and secure way to acquire fine art, antiques, jewellery, watches, and design objects—anytime, from anywhere, without waiting for an auction.
Key advantages include:
- Immediate purchase – Fixed prices allow instant buying without bidding or time pressure
- Curated quality – All items are selected or approved by Hargesheimer specialists and trusted partners
- Global convenience – Shop 24/7 from anywhere in the world
- Extended selection – Access works from private collections, galleries, antiquarians, jewellery brands, and institutional partners
- Peace of mind – Expert vetting, secure payment, and professional shipping arrangements
Buy Now combines the expertise of the traditional auction world with the flexibility of an international online marketplace.
Purchasing through Hargesheimer Buy Now is simple. Once you find an item, add it to your shopping bag and proceed through our secure online checkout.
Your purchase is confirmed instantly, allowing you to acquire carefully curated works outside of the auction calendar.
Browse available items on our Buy Now marketplace.
Buying at auction involves competitive bidding, with the final price determined by the hammer.
Buy Now offers fixed prices and immediate purchase, allowing collectors to acquire works at their convenience without waiting for an auction or participating in a bidding process.
Hargesheimer Buy Now features a curated selection across all our core categories, including:
- Fine Art – Old Masters, 19th Century, Modern & Contemporary paintings, works on paper, and sculpture
- Decorative Arts & Antiques – Furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, bronzes, and European or Asian ceramics
- Jewellery & Watches – Antique and modern pieces, signed jewellery, and luxury timepieces
- Icons & Russian Art – Religious icons, Fabergé objects, and imperial artefacts
- Asian Art – Chinese porcelain, jade, Japanese lacquer, netsuke, scrolls, and Buddhist art
- Modern Design & Lifestyle – Decorative objects, contemporary sculpture, designer furniture, and lighting
New pieces are added regularly, offering continuous access to exceptional works outside the auction calendar.
You may browse the Buy Now marketplace without registering. However, to complete a purchase, you must create a Hargesheimer client account.
Registration ensures that your purchase, invoice, and shipping details are processed securely.
Buy Now is continuously updated throughout the year. New works are added regularly, and availability may change quickly.
We recommend checking back frequently, as exceptional pieces may only be available for a limited time.
Yes. In addition to auctions, select items may be sold directly through the Buy Now marketplace at fixed prices.
Private collectors may submit items for evaluation, and our specialists will advise whether Buy Now, Private Sale, or auction is the most suitable route.
EU-based corporate sellers (such as galleries, dealers, and traders) may consign directly to Buy Now.
To begin:
- EU corporate sellers: contact Zoe Lorenzo at [email protected]
- Private individuals or non-EU sellers: contact our specialist team via our website
Items sold directly by Hargesheimer are examined and authenticated by our in-house specialists.
Items offered by approved third-party sellers remain the responsibility of the seller; however, all marketplace partners undergo a verification and approval process by Hargesheimer.
We may also assist buyers with due diligence and authentication checks upon request.
Documentation such as certificates of authenticity, condition reports, or provenance details is provided when available and clearly indicated on the item page.
If additional documentation is required, buyers may contact the seller or the Buy Now marketplace team directly.
Unlike auctions, Buy Now prices are final fixed prices. There is no buyer’s premium.
Shipping and transport costs are calculated separately. Where applicable, statutory VAT is included in the listed price or clearly indicated.
In some cases, Buy Now items may be viewed by appointment at our Düsseldorf premises. Please contact us in advance to confirm availability.
Buy Now orders may be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase.
After this period, cancellations are only possible if the item has not yet shipped and will incur a 15% cancellation fee.
Eligible items may be returned within two calendar days of delivery, subject to prior Return Authorization.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Payments are processed securely via PayPal and may include major credit cards, bank transfers, and other commonly accepted methods.
Full details of available payment options are displayed during checkout.
Yes. A formal invoice is issued for every Buy Now purchase and sent by email. A printed copy will also accompany your shipment.
Once full payment has been received, your item will be dispatched and you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information.
Shipping timelines depend on the object, export requirements, destination, and selected delivery method.
All Buy Now shipments are insured against loss or damage in transit.
In the unlikely event of damage, please notify us immediately and our team will assist you with the claims process.
Yes, international shipping is available. Export restrictions or permit requirements may apply to certain categories or materials.
Our team will guide you through all requirements to ensure compliant and secure delivery.