When the auction house organizes an auction, it is announced by means of advertisements in newspapers and in collectors' and antique trade magazines. Invitations are also sent to the customer base.
Catalog
A catalog is compiled prior to the auction. This catalog is a guide to the auction. It states where and when the viewing days and the auction will be organized. Also clearly described are the rules of the game (order of sale and conditions of sale). It is advisable to read these rules carefully in advance, so that you know in advance what will happen if you place a bid.
View: The order of sale at Omnia Auction House
The catalog also contains a numbered list with a detailed description of the lots submitted. A lot can consist of one object or several objects. The description contains information about the object, such as its age, dimensions and expected sale price. Descriptions are made with the greatest care and according to a fixed procedure.
Description art
The description of art in the catalogs of Auction House Omnia is described as follows;
Artist:
Description of: last name, first name (year of birth-death), representation, technique, size. (** with artist's name: first name(s) not known).
Addition with attributed to:
The work has the characteristics of the artist and probably belongs to the artist.
Environment of/ School of/Atelier:
Not a work by the artist, but a work from the artist's period probably made under his influence.
Dutch School (+ name):
A work by an unknown artist made in that country or region.
Please note, for the entries below, authenticity is not guaranteed!
In the manner of/ In the style of/ To/copy:
Not a work by the artist, but made in the artist's style.
Artist + signed as:
The corresponding name is indicated on the work. Authenticity is not guaranteed!
Viewing days
Before an auction takes place, viewing days are organized. These viewing days are designed to give customers the opportunity to view the goods in detail. For this purpose, all lots are conveniently displayed. Admission is free and you can obtain information and enquiries from our auction staff when you visit. For information about the viewing days click here.
Auction
An auction often consists of several sessions. These are the days or parts of the day when auctions are held. The auction sessions at Omnia are on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and begin at 7:00 pm. Prior to the auction, which is organized under the supervision of a notary, you will be made aware of the auction conditions. These are the rules used during the auction. One of those rules is the handling of premiums. Auction house Omnia charges 28% of the hammer money. During live online auctions an additional 3% commission (31%) is charged.
Bidding with a purchase number in the hall
Before the auction begins, there is an opportunity to pick up a bid number from the administration desk. This is a form on which you enter your name and address information. This form is linked to a buy number. By showing this number during the auction, you are bidding on a particular lot. When you place the highest bid, the auctioneer calls this number, it is noted and you are the possessor of the lot. Raises are made through the following steps:
| to € 50,- | with € 5,- | |
| from € 50,- | to € 200,- | with € 10,- |
| from € 200,- | to € 500,- | with € 25,- |
| from € 500,- | to € 1000,- | with € 50,- |
| from € 1000,- | to € 2000,- | with € 100,- |
| from € 2000,- | to € 4000,- | with € 200,- |
| from € 4000,- | with € 500,- |
Starting price
- The stakes of the items will be at 70% of the minimum guide price, bids below 70% will not be accepted!
- Written bids must be registered by 15.00 on the day of the auction session!
Written bidding
This way it is possible to bid without being present at the auction yourself. By completing a bidding order, the auctioneer will bid on your behalf up to the maximum amount you have entered on the bid form. Of course, he will try to buy this lot at the lowest possible price for the written bidder. So it is not a case of automatically paying the maximum amount! Only in case of a successful purchase will we inform you of the purchases by mail (in 2nd instance by phone) the day(s) after the last auction session. You are responsible for collecting the goods on time!
Written bidding through the online system
It is possible to bid in writing via a login system. To do this, you need to do the following:
- To bid, you need to register once with your name and address information. You will also choose your own unique password.
- Go to the catalog of photos. Here you will find the photo catalog and next to it the option to bid on the item.
- Click on the word bid.
- Then you can enter a maximum amount you want to bid on an item. The auctioneer will start bidding on the item on your behalf extremely up to the amount you have specified. This does not mean that you will automatically pay the extreme amount. This is because the starting amount is 70% of the minimum guide price. So with no opposing bidders, you will get the item for the starting price! The bidding procedure follows the auction conditions.
- In the above way you can compile your own bid list with multiple items. These can be viewed via my catalog - my online written bids.
- This form shows what you have chosen to bid on. HOWEVER, YOUR BIDS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED. Once the auctioneer has processed the bids, you will receive a confirmation email.
- If you do not receive this email your spam filter may have blocked the email. Check your spam box! Still in doubt? You can ask by email if your bid has been received.
- You can save your favorite lots by clicking on the gray star which will turn yellow. These lots can be found under my catalog - my favorites
Live bidding
- During the auction you can also watch live with image(not on a phone) and sound.
- With your account you can log in and bid live! Please note that a higher premium percentage applies. The correct percentage can be found in the order of sale.
- After the auction you will receive mail about the purchased lots.
Telephone bidding
A second option for bidding "from the comfort of your couch" is through telephone bidding. This works similar to a written bid. You fill in a bidding form with a request for telephone bidding. One of our employees will then call you during the auction when the lot is up for auction. The staff member will then inform you during the bidding in the room and bid on your behalf if necessary. Telephone bidding is only possible on items with a guide price starting at € 150.00.
The following rules apply to both written and telephone bids:
- The written purchase order will be accepted only if signed.
- Telephone bids are possible when the object has a guide price € 150.00 or higher.
- For written or telephone bidding on lots with a guide price above €10,000, a statement from your bank and a copy of valid identification may be requested.
- Payments should be made within three days of purchase.
- Collecting goods: the goods must be collected from the auction site no later than the Saturday after the last auction session, before 4 p.m. !
- N.B. Buyers who exceed this deadline may be charged the sum of €50 per calendar day for transportation and storage costs, regardless of the amount of the invoice.
- Purchased goods may be shipped at the recipient/buyer's risk. Click here for information.
After the auction
After purchase, you have a six-week warranty period. This warranty arrangement is stated in the general conditions of sale.
Collecting goods
The purchased item must be picked up after the auction session within the applicable time period:
- Up to 30 minutes after each auction session.
- Wednesday mornings (the day after the first auction session) from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday afternoon (the day after the second auction session) from 1:30 - 4:00 pm.
- Friday afternoons from 1:30 - 4 p.m.
- Saturday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am and Saturday afternoons from 1:30 - 4:00 pm.
- No goods will be issued during the auction.
- Written bidders will be notified by mail when goods are purchased.
All goods must be picked up by 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon !
Buyers who exceed this deadline may be charged the sum of €50 per calendar day for transportation and storage costs, regardless of the amount of the invoice.