AUCTION 15

Estimates. Estimates are designed to help our buyers evaluate the sum which might be involved in acquiring a certain lot. Our experts? appraisals are subjectively founded on factors such as an object?s condition, rarity, age, brand, artist, provenance, and concluded prices of similar archived objects. An estimate by no means determines the precise sale figure/value of an item as it is often dependent on theoretical factors e.g. ?luck? or sentimental worth. Estimates may be subject to announced ? written or verbal ? alteration prior to a sale; the lower might represent the reserve price (the minimum price the seller is prepared to sell their object for) but will not be below it. Estimates exclude the buyer?s premium and VAT (where chargeable). Jewellery. Gemstones are often treated to enhance their appearance. Sapphires and rubies are routinely heat-treated to improve their colour and clarity; likewise, emeralds are frequently treated with oils or resin for the same purpose. Other treatments such as staining, irradiation or coating may have been used on other gemstones. These treatments may be permanent whilst others may need special care or re-treatment over the years to retain their appearance. Estimates reflect the possibility that gemstones may have been subjected to such treatments unless they are accompanied by a recognised laboratory certificate such as GIA. If mentioned, the carat weight of a gemstone is approximate only, particularly if this stone is mounted. Reference in the title to the period or designer (e.g. Art Deco, Cartier), whether signed or unsigned, and based on similar models, is the auctioneer?s honest opinion. Bidding. All bids are legally-binding and cannot be retracted. Bidders must register before the commencement of each auction. If bidding for the first time with us, a form of identification such as a driving license or passport may be asked, supplementary to other relevant info we may need. Commission bids must be arranged with us at least one hour before the commencement of the auction, so that we have ample time to conduct any necessary checks. All present and future lots will be invoiced to the name and address you use to create your account ? we will not ship to a secondary address unless a formal request is made by writing, electronically or by post. We reserve the right, at the auctioneer?s discretion, to refuse your registration if you haven?t provided us with all the documentation we ask, particularly when you are a first-time bidder anticipating bidding on high-value objects. If a dispute arises during an auction, it is at the auctioneer?s discretion to resolve it or re-offer the lot in a future sale. By this same discretion, the auctioneer can regulate bidding activity (it is forbidden for vendors to bid on their own items or those of someone connected to them), cancel a sale, withdraw, combine or divide two or more lots, bid on the vendor?s behalf conditional to the reserve.