EVALUATING PROPERTY
Exhibition Preview
The best way to obtain information regarding specific lots in an auction is to view the items in person.
Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. offers preview exhibitions which are free and open to the public up to four days prior to auction. It is important to remember that all lots offered by Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. are sold “as is” as defined in our Conditions of Sale. Therefore, buy more about we strongly advise prospective buyers personally examine any property in which they are interested.
Additional ways to view the property:
Printed Auction Catalogue
Each printed catalogue includes detailed auction information with full descriptions for each lot including provenance, this site exhibition history and auction estimate as well as photographs of select highlights. Catalogues are available for purchase by contacting Client Services at 510-984-2189, viagra sale emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or faxing the Catalogue Subscription Form to 510-984-2188.
Fully Illustrated Online Auction Catalogues
Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. publishes a complimentary, fully illustrated Online Catalogue on our website. Our online catalogue contains the same detailed information as the printed catalogue and clients may view enlarged photographs, track lots, place absentee bids or request additional information. The online catalogue is generally published on our website four weeks prior to the auction.
Condition Reports
We encourage potential bidders to gather as much information as possible regarding a lot before placing a bid. Our experienced team of specialists and associates may assist you in obtaining a Condition Report for lots with a low estimate of $300 and above in the following ways:
Personally attend an auction preview, or send a trusted advisor, to discuss the property with a member of our knowledgeable staff.
Contact our Client Services department at 510-984-2189 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
View our Online Catalogue and click the question mark button to email our specialists your questions.
We regret that we cannot guarantee the availability of condition reports requested less than 24 hours prior to the start of the auction. For best results, please request condition reports as early as possible.
BIDDING AT THE AUCTION
CONDITIONS OF SALE
All sales are governed by our Conditions of Sale. Please fully read and understand the Conditions of Sale prior to placing any bids. Any questions should be directed to our Client Services department at 510-984-2189 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
After carefully previewing and assessing the condition of the property of interest and reading, understanding and agreeing to our Conditions of Sale you may place a bid. Our bid increments are:
| BID AMOUNT | INCREMENT |
|---|---|
| $0 - $200 | $10 |
| $200 - $500 | $25 |
| $500 - $1,000 | $50 |
| $1,000 - $2,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 - $5,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 - $10,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 - $20,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 - $50,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 - $100,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 - $200,000 | $10,000 |
| Over $200,000 | Royal Fine’s Discretion |
In-person bidding
Our auctions are free and open to the public with no obligation for the attendees to bid. There is no need to come for the beginning of an auction and stay for the entire sale; you may come and go from the auction as you please. Should you choose to bid at the live auction, you must register for a paddle at the entrance to the salesroom either on the day of the auction or during the preview. If you pre-register at the preview, please visit the front desk to pick up your paddle on the day of the auction. Registration requires your full contact information, photo identification, and your signature agreeing to the Conditions of Sale.
Once the auction begins, the auctioneer will clearly announce the lot number and bid increments as the bidding begins and proceeds. To place a bid, raise your paddle to the auctioneer for his or her recognition. When all of the bidding is through, the auctioneer will give fair warning, sell the item to the final bidder, and announce the price and paddle number. When you are finished bidding on the lots in which you are interested, please return your paddle to the front desk, examine your invoice and make arrangements for payment and pickup.
Telephone bidding
Up to 24 hours in advance of an auction, you may fax the Telephone / Absentee bid form to our office. Please note we can only accept telephone bids for lots with a low estimate of $300.00 or above. Once you are registered, an experienced staff member will call you the day of the auction approximately five lots before your item is scheduled to be sold. They will communicate to you the bidding activity in the room and will relay your bids to the auctioneer at your discretion. If you are successful, an invoice will be both emailed and mailed to you the next day.
Absentee bidding
Buyers may leave absentee bids and requests for telephone bidding directly on our website at their convenience through the online auction catalogue for any given sale up to two hours in advance of an auction. First time Internet bidders mustRegister to receive a client number and PIN prior to bidding.
Live online bidding
All of our auctions are conducted in real-time on lesliehindman.com and a third party online bidding service artfact.com. For more information on live online bidding, please contact Client Services at510-984-2189or visit our Royal Fine Antiques Asia's Live page.
AFTER THE AUCTION
Invoices are sent via email immediately following the sale and a paper copy is mailed to you the day after the sale.
FORMS OF PAYMENT
Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. accepts cash, money order, credit card, bank check, and wire transfer as forms of payment. We reserve the right not to release property until a check clears the bank.
| FIRST | PORTION FROM | PORTION FROM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidding Option | $0 - $50,000 | $50,001 - $1,000,000 | Over $1,000,001 |
| In-house | 15% | 12% | 10% |
| RoyalAntique.net | 18% | 15% | 13% |
| liveauctioneers.com | 18% | 15% | 13% |
In addition to the hammer price, the buyer agrees to pay Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. a buyer’s premium and the applicable sales tax added to the final total. The buyer’s premium for purchases made in-house and via Royal Fine Antique Asia's Live is eighteen percent (18%) of the hammer price up to and including $50,000; fifthteen percent (15%) of any amount in excess of $50,000 up to and including $1,000,000; and thirteen percent (13%) of any amount in excess of $1,000,000.
When applicable, state and local sales taxes will be added to the hammer price and buyer’s premium. Sales tax will not be assessed for items shipped out of state by a licensed shipper or those with a copy of a current resale certificate on file at Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. Please contact our Accounting department at 510-984-2189 to file a copy of your resale certificate.
REMOVAL OF PROPERTY
Unless other arrangements have been made, all property must be removed from our premises within the seven business days following an auction. Property not removed within seven business days will be subject to a storage fee as outlined in our Conditions of Sale. On non-auction days, we are open Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm for pickups. On auction days, we can only accommodate pickups for items in that particular sale.
SHIPPING
Buyers assume full responsibility for the packing and shipping of lots won at auction. Our Recommended Shippers offer a wide variety of local, domestic, and international shipping options. As stated above, if a buyer has a purchase shipped out of state via a licensed shipper, applicable sales tax will be not be assessed.
In the interest of our clients, Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. requires a written authorization from the buyer in order to release property to anyone other than the purchaser of record (including but not limited to our recommended shippers). You may submitthe Shipping Release Form via fax to 510-984-2188 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
FAQS
HOW DO I GET MY PROPERTY TO YOU?
While Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. does not provide packing and shipping services, we do have a list of recommended third party shippers to assist you with delivering the property to our San Jose office. In some instances, Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. can manage and execute the delivery of large consignments or estates. The cost for these services will be deducted from the proceeds of auction as outlined in the consignment agreement.
WHAT IS ‘FAIR MARKET VALUE’?
Fair market value is defined by IRS section 1.170 and 20.2031(b) as “the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.” Insurance appraisals or replacement values are representative of what it would cost to purchase your item from a gallery or original maker.
WHAT IF MY PROPERTY DOESN’T SELL?
If an item does not sell it is your responsibility to have it picked up within seven business days after the date of sale. If an item is not picked up or arrangements have not been made, the seller will be charged $10 per lot per day until the item is removed from our facility.
WHEN DO I RECEIVE PAYMENT?
Your account executive will contact you after the auction and provide the results of the sale. Prices realized are also posted on our website. Settlement checks and statements are mailed out thirty days after the auction.
WHAT IS A BUYER’S PREMIUM?
When purchasing at Royal Fine Antiques Asia Inc. a premium is paid by the buyer based on the hammer price. Settlement with our consignors is based on the hammer price, which is the total cost, excluding buyer’s premium and tax.
WHY ARE THE PRICES REALIZED POSTED ONLINE DIFFERENT?
Our website listings include the buyer’s premium paid for the item. The seller’s settlement is based on the hammer price for which each lot sells.
Auctions