Antiques and Decorative Arts

Exhibitions and catalogues The auction is a sale open to the public. Prior to each auction there is an exhibition of all the lots on sale, during which the public has the possibility of examining the quality and the state of conservation of the lots they are interested in. During the exhibition period, Della Rocca's experts are at the public's disposal for any explanation regarding selling procedures and information, advice or opinions on the lots on sale. If you are unable to examine the lots in person during the exhibition period, you can request a condition report on the state of conservation of the lots you are interested in. The condition reports represent the opinion of our experts and may be subject to possible revisions and/or additions which will be communicated to the public during the auction. For each auction, Della Rocca compiles a catalogue with thorough descriptions of all the lots on sale. Every lot is numbered and presents an estimated selling price, which considers the quality and rarity of the object, along with its state of conservation and market value. The printed catalogue is generally available approximately three weeks prior to the auction. The online catalogue can be consulted one month before the auction. To participate in an auction it's necessary to be registered at the Della Rocca Auction House and to have obtained a participation number. This number has a temporary validity related to a single auction. If you haven't registered as our clients yet, you will be asked to fill in the registration form, either at our office. To register you must bring a valid proof of identity (such as a driving license, identity card or passport) and your taxpayer's code number. The means of bidding are the following: 1) in person; 2) with a written bid; 3) with a telephone bid. Bidding in person To place your bid, simply show the auctioneer your participation number. This allows the auctioneer not to mistake a random gesture for an actual bid. The bidding increments are decided by the auctioneer and usually never exceed 10% of the previous bid. The auctioneer will take increasing bids on each lot, until only one bidder remains. The final bidder purchases the lot. The "hammer price" is the highest bid at which the lot is purchased. A commission of 22% inclusive of VAT is added to the "hammer price". Each lot has a reserve price, agreed upon by Della Rocca and the Seller before the auction, which corresponds to the minimum selling price below which the lot cannot be sold. The reserve price is confidential and is defended by the auctioneer through adequate bids. If the bidding does not reach the reserve price during the auction, the lot remains unsold. Written bids It is possible to participate in an auction by means of a written bid. In this case the buyer must fill in and sign the written bid form authorizing Della Rocca to purchase the lot/s he is interested in. The buyer must indicate the lot/s upon which he wishes to bid and the maximum bid amount he is willing to make. Della Rocca will try to purchase at the minimum possible price, considering the reserve price and the competing bids. A commission of 22% inclusive of VAT is added to the winning bid. Della Rocca does not accept written bid forms for unlimited bid amounts. In the event of identical bids, the lot will be assigned to the client whose bid was received earliest. You can find a written bid form at the back of each catalogue and as download on our website. The form should be returned to our office by fax, by post or in person at Della Rocca by the day prior the auction. After the auction, Della Rocca will inform successful "absentee" bidders by post. Telephone bids It is possible to participate in an auction by means of telephone bids. To do so the buyer has to fill in and sign atelephone bidding form (indicating the lots he is interested in), returning it by fax, by post or in person at Della Rocca by the day prior the auction. A Della Rocca's representative will contact the buyer prior to the specified lots, thus enabling him to take part in the auction and place bids as if he actually were in the saleroom. The buyer can indicate on the form the maximum bid amount he is willing to make on the lot he is interested in, so that, should there be any problems with the telephone lines, the Della Rocca's representative will be able to defend the buyer's bid. Telephone bidding is an additional service free of charge that Della Rocca offers its clients; Della Rocca cannot accept liability for failure to place such bids. Telephone bidding cannot be fully guaranteed as telephone lines may be cut off or engaged. Della Rocca cannot accept telephone bids on lots of value inferior to EUR 500,00. Payment You may pay the lots purchased immediately after the auction and anyway no later than 10 days after the auction. The following payment methods are accepted: - cash, subject to certain restrictions - bank draft, subject to preventive approval of the issuing bank - personal check, subject to agreement with Della Rocca - wire transfer, to be paid to : CASA D'ASTE DELLA ROCCA S.p.A. Banca del Piemonte, agenzia 9 Corso Cairoli 32/a 10123 Torino C.C.: 81271 ABI: 03048 CAB: 01009 CIN: S SWIFT: BDCPITTT IBAN: IT31S0304801009000000081271 The buyer is responsible for any export license charges. Pickup and delivery Upon payment, the buyer has to pick up the lots purchased, either in person or arranging to have them delivered/shipped. Della Rocca does not carry out delivery but, if requested, can supply estimates and arrange delivery with qualified firms or packing of the purchased lots and delivery by private courier. All packing and delivery/shipping expenses are to be paid by the buyer. Della Rocca cannot accept liability for anything related to delivery/shipping, therefore the buyer must refer directly to the carrier. Storage and insurance The purchased lots are covered by Della Rocca Auction House insurance for up to 10 days after the sale date, which is also the deadline for payment and pickup. A possible further insurance may be contracted only if specifically requested by the buyer. After the payment and pickup deadline, Della Rocca will no longer be liable for the care and any spoilage or deterioration of the lots. Furthermore, Della Rocca Auction House will have the right to charge the buyer for storage expenses.