FAQs

We will answer any questions you may have about your art auction here: If you would like to know how to have works of art valued, how high the commission is, how to register for online bidding, as well as much more, you are in the right place. Our experts are available to answer all of your questions via telephone, e-mail, or in person!

How can I get my art works, antiques or jewellery valued for auction?

If you would like to have works of art, antiques, or jewellery valued, the experts at our auction house are happy to advise you in a free and non-binding consultation.
 
 You can contact our experts and representatives any time to ask for a valuation. Please use the valuation form or contact one of our experts or representatives.
 
 You can also show your works to our experts at one of our valuation days. These are held regularly at our Lempertz branches and in many other locations throughout Europe and the USA.
 Click here for an overview of our upcoming valuation days.

How high is the commission when selling items in a Lempertz auction? Which additional fees are charged?

The commission for your consignments is based on the hammer price and is only incurred in the event of a sale. It varies according to the department in which your works were consigned.
 
 For consignments to the Fine Art, Decorative Arts, East Asian, African and Oceanic Art departments

  •  9% of the hammer price for items over €20,000 each
  •  13% of the hammer price for items over €4,000 - €19.999 each
  •  17% of the hammer price for items up to €3,999 each

 (plus VAT)
 
 For consignments to the Modern Art, Contemporary Art, and Photography departments

  •   9% of the hammer price for items over €50,000 each
  • 13% of the hammer price for items over €5,000 - €49.999 each
  •  17% of the hammer price for items up to €4,999 each
  •  (plus VAT)

 
 Alongside the commission there are also costs for cataloguing and illustration.
 Full-page illustration - € 380
 Half-page illustration - € 200
 Quarter-page illustration - € 120
 (plus VAT)
 
 These prices also apply to our online auctions.
 
 During the time that your works of art are in our care, they will be insured free of charge to the value of the lower estimate.

How can I register to bid in an auction?

There are various ways to register as a bidder in one of our auctions.

  • as a saleroom bidder – to take part in the auction in person.
  • as an absentee bidder – tell us your maximum bid and our auctioneer will take note of it during the auction. You can place absentee bids in our online catalogue, fill out a bidding form, or send your bid via fax or e-mail to the Lempertz branch in which the auction is taking place.
  • as a telephone bidder – we will call you during the auction for the lots you would like to bid on.
  • as an online bidder – register via MyLempertz in our online auction house. As soon as you have been accepted as a bidder, you can begin placing bids in our online catalogues, creating wishlists, and requesting condition reports.
  • as a live-bidder online – register with our partner Invaluable.com, who can also be reached via our website, in order to bid live via the internet (please be aware that the provider levies an additional 3% service charge for live bidding online).

 If you would like to take part in one of our auctions in person, you will be provided with a bidder number on site. If you wish to take part as a telephone or absentee bidder, please send your filled out and signed bidding form to the Lempertz branch in which the auction is taking place. You can print out the bidding form as a PDF or use one of the forms provided in your auction catalogue and send it as a scan via fax or e-mail. Please be aware that there is a bidding deadline of 24 hours before the start of the auction (48 hours for first time customers).

Which documents do I need when I register with Lempertz for the first time?

If you are taking part in a Lempertz auction for the first time, we will need you to send us the following documents:

  •  A copy of your ID document or passport
  •  A proof of address (such as a gas, electricity, or telephone invoice)
  •  References from other auction houses, if available

 Please send us your bid with the documents at least 48 hours before the start of the auction.

How does live bidding work?

You can register to bid live online in all Lempertz auctions.

You can find instructions for live bidding here: Guide to live bidding

Would you like to follow an auction live online without registering as a bidder? You can follow the auction live online here: Watch now
 

Where and when can I view the artworks I am interested in?

All of the works of art sold at Lempertz are available to view prior to the auctions at our previews, so that you can assess them in person. The previews generally take place during the week before the auction in the location in which the sale is to be held. A selection of lots is also exhibited in other Lempertz branches.

How do I settle my auction invoice?

You can settle your auction invoice via credit card or in cash. For payments via credit card, there is an additional charge of 2.1 % (5% for AmEx).
 
 If you have any questions about payment, please contact:
 Ms Ursula Ludwig Tel +49-(0)221-925 72940
 Accounts Tel +49-(0)221-925 72933
 accounts@lempertz.com
 
 Bank details
 
 Germany
 Deutsche Bank AG Köln
 An den Dominikanern 11-27
 50668 Cologne
 Account no. 3301 462 
 BLZ 370 700 60
 IBAN: DE 2637 0700 6003 3014 6200
 Swift/BIC: DEUT DE DK XXX
 
 
 Belgium (for auctions taking place in Brussels)
 ING Bank
 IBAN:INGBE87 3101 7455 2394
 BIC: BBRU BE BB XXX
 
 Commerzbank Köln
 IBAN:DE07 3708 0040 0463 6120 00
 BIC:BBRU BE BB XXX