Conditions of Sale
Sheppard’s, who act only as auctioneers and agents for the vendor, are called ‘the Auctioneers’, and the representative of Sheppard’s conducting the auction is called ‘the Auctioneer’. By bidding you accept these conditions.
General
Whilst Sheppard’s make every effort to ensure the accuracy of their catalogue and the description of any lot, each lot is sold by the vendor with all faults, imperfections and errors of description. Sheppard’s do not accept responsibility for the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot unless instructed in writing by the vendor so to certify. All statements, printed or oral, are statements of opinion only.
The auction
The Auctioneer has absolute discretion to divide any lot, to combine any two or more lots or to withdraw any lot from the sale, to refuse bids or to cancel the sale without giving any reason. The highest bidder shall be the buyer except in the case of a dispute, which the Auctioneer has absolute discretion to settle or to re-offer the lot. Statements made from the rostrum before bidding modify the catalogue.
Rescission
If within fourteen days after the sale Sheppard’s receive written notice from the buyer that a lot is a deliberate forgery, and within twenty-one days of that notice the buyer returns it in the same condition and satisfies Sheppard’s (the burden of proof being on the buyer) that it is a deliberate forgery in the light of the catalogue entry, the sale will be rescinded and the purchase price refunded.
Buyer’s premium
The purchaser shall pay the hammer price together with a Buyer’s Premium of 25% including VAT. The premium attracts VAT at the standard rate and is payable by all purchasers.
Inspection, property and risk
Each buyer, by bidding, acknowledges that they have satisfied themselves fully as to the condition and description of the lot. Legal title does not pass until the lot has been paid for in full, and each lot is at the sole risk of the buyer from the fall of the hammer. Every bidder is deemed to act as principal unless Sheppard’s have acknowledged in writing that they act as agent for a named principal.
Payment and removal
All purchases are to be paid for the evening of sale, by cash or guaranteed cheque; third-party cheques cannot be accepted. Purchases are removed at the buyer’s risk and expense, and lots not removed are subject to a minimum warehousing charge of €5 per item per day. If not paid for and removed within seven days of the sale, the Auctioneer may re-sell them by auction or privately without notice to the buyer.
Commission bids
If instructed we will execute bids and advise intending purchasers. The service is free. Bids placed by telephone are accepted only at the sender’s risk and must be confirmed by letter.
Cataloguing practice
A work catalogued with the name of an artist, without qualification, is in our opinion a work by the artist. “Attributed to…” — probably a work by the artist in whole or in part. “Studio of…” / “Workshop of…” — executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under their supervision. “Circle of…” — a work of the period showing the artist’s influence. “Follower of…” — in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil. “Manner of…” — in the artist’s style but of a later date. “After…” — a copy of any date. “Signed…” — signed, dated or inscribed by the artist; “With signature…” — by a hand other than the artist’s. A question mark indicates an element of doubt.
Questions about a lot, a commission bid or a consignment? Email info@sheppards.ie or call +353 (0)57 874 0000.