Switzerland boasts exceptional auction houses filled with undeniable treasures. Nevertheless, the challenge I frequently face is securing shipping to the USA at a reasonable price. For instance, I recently acquired 6 vases, one measuring 5 inches in height, while the other five are each under 3 inches. Their total weight is less than 1.5 pounds. The overall value amounts to $1000. The most affordable shipping rate I was quoted was $719, which includes full insurance coverage. Had this purchase been made elsewhere in Europe or in the United Kingdom, the shipping cost would have been under $250 with full insurance coverage. I am uncertain as to why the shipping expenses are so high, but combined with the recent tariff adjustments in the USA—where tariffs are calculated not only on the value of the items purchased but also on the shipping costs—it becomes impractical to make purchases in Switzerland unless the item is rare and absolutely essential.
Tips For Acquiring Art From France
Understanding a few key French phrases is paramount to bidding on and purchasing paintings from France. Here are a few terms that auction houses may provide to guide a potential bidder.
“Très léger cheveu au col” is a tight hairline crack or fracture at the neck of the vase.
“Trous de vers dans le panneau” indicates that the wood panel has an insect infestation. When I received a Monticelli painting I asked a conservator to clean the painting. She recognized the signs of the infestation (which the auction house had not disclosed). The conservator was hesitant to treat the infestation because the treatment could further damage the painting. Ultimately I returned the painting to the auction house for a refund (which is another story…)
“Entourage de” translates to “in the circle of”. For example if lot description of a painting refers to “entourage de Camille Corot”. In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.
Similarly, a ceramic vase “A la manière de Jean Besnard” means “in the manner of Jean Besnard” indicating that the vase is most likely NOT the work of the great ceramicist.
“DLG” is an initialism for “dans le gout” which means “in the taste of”. This is similar to “entourage de” which is “in the circle of” an artist.
“Huile sur toile” or “HST” is “oil on canvas”.
“Huile sur papier contrecollé sur panneau” is “oil on paper attached to a panel”.
“Aquarelle” is a watercolor or gouache.
“Nettoyer” is dirty. I often inquire if there is surface grime on the painting which would require that the painting be cleaned after purchase.
“Craquelure” is is the fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of materials and can be induced by drying, aging, intentional patterning, or a combination of all three.
“Salissures & taches d’humidité” refers to “dirt and moisture stains” which may be present on a lithograph, watercolor or print.
“Déchirure” is a tear which may be present on a canvas, lithograph, watercolor or print.
“Cheveu” indicates a hairline crack on a piece of ceramic.
“Fêles de cuisson” is a cooking crack in a piece of ceramic.
Additional Tips For Acquiring Art
If you cannot personally attend an auction it is important that you have a complete understanding of the item’s condition. Here are a few questions to ask the auction house prior to bidding before purchasing a painting, drawing or lithograph.
- Is there surface grime (does the painting need to be cleaned)?
- Is there yellowing, staining or foxing on artworks on paper)?
- Is there craquelure – a network of fine cracks in the paint or varnish – on a painted artwork?
- Are there signs of insect infestation? This is particularly important for painted artwork on wood panels.
- How is the artwork adhered to the backing? For example, is it floated (recommended), lightly taped (ok) or glued down (difficult to remove to replace the backing).
It is equally important to ascertain if the artwork is genuine. Ask the following questions, and if still in doubt, consider obtaining a a second opinion, perhaps someone notable in the field of work.
- What is the provenance (history of ownership) of the artwork? Good provenance provides the assurance that the work you’re about to acquire is genuine.
- Has the artwork been authenticated? If so, by whom?
- Is there a certificate of authenticity from a reliable source? (For example, many artworks by Italian painters are accompanied with a signed document that includes photo of the artist with the painting.
Finding Shippers in France & Belgium
You found a painting, a piece of ceramic, glass or another decorative art item at an online auction in France or Belgium. You requested and received the condition report and confirmed payment options are satisfactory. The one remaining task before you submit a bid is to identify available shipping services.
There are a few good shipping services in Paris but quotes can vary by 200-500 Euros for similarly sized and weighted items even by the same shipper! Extending into the remote areas of France and much of Belgium (including Brussels) the options are fewer. And in some locations you will not be able to find a shipping service.
If the auction is in Paris I request estimates from at least three shippers due to the significant variation in pricing. I recently purchased a small painting in Brussels and contacted the seven shipping firms that the auction house recommended. Of the seven firms only three provided quotes. The quotes received were between 500 – 1000 Euros which, I felt from experience, were too high. I contacted three shippers in Paris and the best price to ship the same package was less than 275 Euros. Fortunately, the auction house Cornette de Saint-Cyr has locations in both Brussels and Paris and easily arranged to transfer the painting to Paris where I could take advantage of the lower shipping rate.
This is the process I follow to ensure that a) shipping options are available and b) that I obtain the best shipping quote:
Before bidding at on online auction verify that there are viable shipping options:
- Does the auction house provide shipping services? If so, can they quote an approximate shipping rate? Is insurance included?
- If the auction house does not provide shipping services can they provide a list of shippers?
- If the quotes received from the list of shippers are high ask if the auction house has a different location where the piece can be transferred to. (For example, Millon and Cornette de Saint Cyr have auction houses in Brussels and in Paris.) Request a list of shippers from the alternate location to determine if transferring the item provides better shipping options.
- Check online or ask nearby auction houses for their list of shippers.
- If you cannot find a shipping service and are still intent to bid on the item you may be able to persuade the auction house to pack the item for you. The auction house may be willing to ship via LaPoste in France or Bpost in Belgium which are comparable to the United States Post Service (USPS). Request that the auction house insure the item and pack well in a sturdy box (or double box if the item is fragile). Note: You may not be able to fully insure the items due to limits set by these services.
- Another option is to ask the auction house to pack the item as described above. Depending on the location UPS, DHL or FedEx may be able to arrange a pick-up at the auction house and provide full insurance.
Identify payment options. In remote areas the shippers may not take credit card payments or may be unwilling or unable to fully insure packages. You may need to accept less insurance and pay via a wire transfer.
Best Tip: Where possible, always obtain quotes from multiple shippers even from those who typically quote high. You may be pleasantly surprised! Consider all options.
Authenticity vs. Attribution
It is important to understand the difference between an authentic work of art by a specific artist versus an attribution to the artist. I found this list most helpful.
For example, if you are looking for a work by Pablo Picasso consider these terms:
- Pablo Picasso: The auction house believes this is an original work by the artist
- Pablo Picasso (replica): The auction house believes that the artist him/herself made this work as a replica of their own, previous original.
- Pablo Picasso (attributed to): The auction house finds it likely that this is an original work, but is not prepared to guarantee this.
- Pablo Picasso (his studio): The auction house believes that the work was made in the artist’s studio and possibly under his supervision.
- Pablo Picasso (his circle): The auction house believes that the work was made by another artist but during the lifetime of the named artist and in their manner.
- Pablo Picasso (follower of): The auction house believes that the work was done in the manner of the named artist, during their lifetime or later.
- Pablo Picasso (in the manner of): The auction house believes that the work is done in the manner of the named artist but after their lifetime.
- Pablo Picasso (after): The auction house believes that the work was made by another artist, based on an original work by the named artist.
Following My Own Advice
It is so easy to purchase an item online, that sometimes I forget the importance of logistics and remembering past mistakes. This is what happened to me last month. I placed an absentee bid with the auction house Uccle-St-Job in Belgium for a ceramic vase with the understanding that I would be required to send a wire transfer for payment. I asked the auction house for a shipping quote with full insurance. They provided a quote and I sent the wire transfer (including a $25 fee for my bank to process the wire transfer and an additional 25 Euros to cover the undisclosed fee by the receiving bank). I received an email from a staff member (their email correspondence was anonymous so I did not know who I was responding to) that insurance was not possible and that I should arrange shipping with FedEx or UPS. I found a UPS store in Uccle-St-Job and emailed the auction house if they could deliver the package there. I did not receive a response. I telephoned the auction house as was instructed to call back and ask for Isabel. I did so the following day. Isabel said that insurance was indeed possible and that she would send me a quote. After being told I had been misinformed that I could use PayPal to pay the additional shipping cost I had to send a second wire transfer. I sent the second wire transfer (including a $25 fee for my bank to process the wire transfer and an additional 25 Euros to cover the undisclosed fee by the receiving bank). Needless to say I received yet another unsigned email indicating that insurance was not possible and that the auction house would safely pack and ship the vase. Having little recourse I agreed. Luckily the vase arrived intact.
As a follow-up I emailed the manager of the auction house indicating my displeasure with the service and did not receive a response. I found this particularly distressing especially since the email was in English and translated into French. In this transaction I do not fault the auction house, but myself. I have seen the transformation of the European auction houses over the past 20 years. Some auction houses are entrenched in the past where customer service is either poor or non-existent. There is little or no effort to facilitate payment and shipping options. Email conversations are anonymous and misleading. If the auction house is at fault, they simply will not respond. Language is used as a barrier to effective communication. Unless there is a compelling need to do so, my recommendation is to purchase only from auction houses that accept online payment or accept credit cards, who provide in-house shipping services, or can recommend a reliable shipper that also accepts online payment or credit cards.