Services

Our services involve buying antiques in France for clients, restoration and valuations.

For my existing customers whom are searching for a specific piece you need to consider the full price sold at auction under the hammer in Euros, then the 20% commission on top (depending on the Auction House) and then our commission of 30% and then $100 euros for handling, such as packing loading and unloading from the container. Also you must consider the value of the item in relation to the cost for the freight back to Australia on the container and this can be quickly determined. I would then convert this into a single value in Australian dollars for clarity simply dividing by the exchange rate. If I was able to locate one privately (not at the Auctions) then there would be no Auction commission of 20%.

It is very important to discuss what you want to pay and also for me to advise you whether or not it is good value. It is also important to know what the cost of restoration or upholstery would be if necessary and I think in this way you buy what you want at a certain price and then you also purchase something of value at value. In the shops in Sydney prices of certain French antiques can be double. I am only in the shop for two months in the year, as against paying rent all year round, and this allows me to transmit the savings to you!

If you decided to buy a piece, an antique that I have sent a photo of to you from the Auction houses, you would need to decide that I bid on it up to a certain price. If successful, you would then be required to pay for it into our account in Sydney, the amount it was purchased for at Auction or privately. If the price is too high then we simply wait for another similar to come up. If the item is located privately we can make the purchase and in the same way payment must be made straight away. This does not include our commission nor freight, as these can be paid on delivery in Australia. You are simply covering the cost of the item in France.

Do not forget that if you cannot make a decision, I will be back every year in August and you can simply have a look at my selection of purchases. The last sale in 2010 was the most comprehensive sale I have achieved thus far, selling almost 80% of the stock in the month of August alone! Then I placed the rest of my stock in Auction where some of the items acheived more than the prices I had them marked at in the sale in my old shop! So really do not miss out!