Sale conditions
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AUCTION - PIASA BELGIQUE
PIASA Belgium Auction House, hereinafter referred to as
PIASA, is a voluntary sales operator.
It acts as an agent for the seller who contracts with the buyer.
In its capacity as a voluntary sales operator, PIASA is
subject to the obligations set out in the law of 18 September
2017 on combating money laundering and terrorist
financing.
Belgian auctions are subject to these general terms and
conditions.
PRIOR TO THE SALE
1. Description and presentation of lots
Potential buyers are invited to examine the items that may
interest them and to observe their condition prior to the
auction, including in particular during exhibitions.
PIASA remains at their disposal to provide reports on the
condition of the lots, according to artistic and scientific
knowledge at the date of the auction. Condition reports
are available free of charge, upon request, to assist the
prospective buyer in evaluating the condition of a lot.
The absence of a reserve in the catalog doesn't imply that
the lot is perfectly conserved and free of restorations
or imperfections of any kind. The lots are sold in the
condition in which they are at the time of the sale.
The information contained in the catalogue shall not be
considered exhaustive and cannot, on its own, justify a
decision to bid without a personal inspection of the Lot,
provided that it has been made available during a public
viewing. Consequently, no claim will be admissible as of
the time of the adjudication, as the lots were available for
examination at the exhibition.
The dimensions and weights are given for information
only. Colors and shades may vary on paper or on screen
from their presentation during a physical examination.
Furthermore, PIASA accepts no responsibility for the
electrical systems of the lighting fixtures offered for sale,
as these may, in some cases, not comply with current
regulations.
2. Appraisal
In the catalog, appraisal appears after each lot. This is
only an indication, the hammer price shall result from free
bidding. Appraisals may be given in several currencies.
The rounding of these conversions may lead to a slight
difference compared to laws on rounding.
The low estimate mentioned in the catalog cannot be
lower than the reserve price, and can be modified until the
moment of the sale.
Appraisals don't include any applicable taxes or fees.
3. Provenance and authenticity
In the framework of the protection of items of cultural
property, PIASA makes all efforts within its means to
verify the origin of the auctioned lots. In the event of
dispute, notably as to the authenticity or origin of the sold
items, PIASA, bound by a best efforts obligation, shall only
be liable under the express condition of demonstration
that it has committed a proven personal wrong.
Any liability claim against the Auction House will be
barred after the limitation period of 5 years following the
sale or appraisal.
PIASA reserves the right to withdraw the lot from auction
at any time if there is doubt as to its authenticity or origin.
4. Special indications
The lots preceded by an * belong to a shareholder,
employee or expert of PIASA. The information notices
contained in the catalogue are drawn up with all due
diligence, by PIASA and the expert assisting it where
relevant, subject to any notifications, declarations or
rectifications announced orally at the time of presentation
of the item and set down in the minutes of the sale.
2. Buyer's selling costs
In addition to the hammer price, the winning bidder must
pay the following commission and taxes, per lot and in
accordance with the relevant price brackets :
• 31,46% including VAT from 1 to 700 000 € (26% excl.
VAT + VAT 21%)
• 24,20% including VAT from 700 001 € to 4 000 000 €
(20% excl. VAT + VAT 21%)
• 14,52% including VAT above 4 000 001 € (12% excl.
VAT + VAT 21%)
Additional fees (in addition to the commissions and
taxes mentioned above) will be charged by PIASA to
successful bidders who placed their bids online via
third-party digital platforms, other than PIASA Live.
Conversely, no additional fees (beyond the commissions
and taxes mentioned above) will be applied to successful
bidders who placed their bids online via PIASA Live.
We strongly recommend that all bidders carefully
review the applicable fees by consulting the terms and
conditions specific to each platform before placing a bid.
The commission on the hammer price, as specified above,
shall then be increased as follows in the following cases :
INVALUABLE
5% excl. VAT + 21% VAT up to 5.000 €
4% excl. VAT + 21% VAT from 5.001 € to 10.000 €
3% excl. VAT + 21% VAT from 10.001 € to 15.000 €
2% excl. VAT + 21% VAT from 15.001 € to 20.000 €
1% excl. VAT + 21% VAT above 20.001 €
LIVEAUCTIONEERS
5% excl. VAT + 21% VAT regardless of the hammer price.
DROUOT
1,5% excl. VAT + 21% VAT regardless of the hammer price.
INTERENCHERES
3% excl. VAT + 21% VAT regardless of the hammer price.
3. VAT
The VAT rate is 21%, except for books, which are subject to
a reduced rate of 6%.
Margin scheme
No document showing VAT will be issued, as the company
is subject to the margin provided for in Article 58§4 of the
Belgian VAT Code-nondeductible VAT.
Ordinary-law arrangements
Community delivery : 'Autoliquidation - Art. 39 bis CTVA
- Art 138 Directive 2006/112/CE' Exportation : 'Livraison
exemptée de la TVA - Art. 39 CTVA - Art 146 Directive
2006/112/CE'
Lots from outside the UE
Lots having a number preceded by the symbol ƒ are subject
to additional costs that may be paid over to the winning
bidder on the presentation of customs export documents
from outside the European Union. These costs are 6.655%
with VAT, (so 5.50% excluding VAT), of the hammer price.
Lots having a number preceded by the symbol ƒƒ are
subject to additional costs of 24,20% with VAT (so 20% +
VAT) of the hammer price.
For further information, please contact our accounting
department at the number : +33 (0)1 53 34 10 17.
The EU contractor who can provide proof of an intra-
Community VAT number and a document proving
delivery in their Member State may obtain a refund of VAT
on commissions.
4. Payment default
In the event of failure to pay by the winning bidder, after
notice summoning payment has been sent to the buyer
by registered letter with return receipt requested and
remains without effect, the item shall be re-auctioned
on the seller's request; if the seller does not express this
request within three months following the sale, PIASA
shall be empowered to act in his name and on his behalf
and may :
PARTICIPATION IN THE SALE
Bidders are invited to present themselves to PIASA SAS
before the sale in order to enable their personal details to
be registered (an identity document will be requested). The
bidder shall be held liable for any inaccurate information
they provide. By taking part in our sales, bidders agree to
strictly comply with all laws and regulations in force at the
time of the sale.
For an individual, registration requires a valid photo
identification and proof of address if your current address
is not on the identification. For a company, registration
requires, in addition, a certificate of registration less
than three months old indicating the name of the legal
representative and the registered office. PIASA may also
request any relevant document identifying the beneficial
owners.
PIASA reserves the right to verify the information
provided and to request the bank details in the name of
the bidder.
Furthermore, PIASA reserves the right no to register a
client for sale if the employees consider that this client does
not bring all guarantees for the security of the transaction.
There are several possibilities for buyers to bid.
1. Bidding in the auction room
The usual method of bidding is by being present in the
room during the auction. You must register online or in
person at our office 24 hours before the sale.
2. Purchase orders
A customer who cannot attend the sale may leave a
purchase order. PIASA will act on behalf of the bidder,
in accordance with the instructions contained on the
purchase order form, and in his or her best interests.
The the limits in euros indicated on the purchase order
correspond to the hammer price and do not include taxes
and commissions payable by the buyer. If two purchase
orders are identical, priority will go to the first order
received.
3. Telephone bidding
PIASA may carry telephone bids on behalf of a potential
buyer. The potential buyer must present himself to the
auction house in advance. PIASA cannot be held liable for
any difficulty in the telephone connection or in the event of
error or omission concerning the receipt of telephone bids.
No telephone bids will be accepted for lots where the
appraisal is less than "300".
Written purchase orders or telephone bids are facilities
that are provided to customers without charge. Neither
PIASA nor its employees may be held liable in the event
of any error or omission in executing them or failing to
execute them.
4. Online bidding
PIASA cannot be held responsible in the event of
dysfunction whatsoever affecting the digital platforms
used to bid online, even if this malfunction affects the
PIASA LIVE platform. The user must read and accept,
without reservation, the conditions of use of each platform.
5. Mandate on behalf of a third party
Each bidder is deemed to be acting on his own behalf,
however he may inform PIASA in advance that he is acting
as agent on behalf of a third party.
PIASA reserves the right to accept or refuse the agent's
representative status.
Requests for purchase orders and telephone bids may
be made using the online form available on the site
www.piasa.fr or by using the form provided for this
purpose at the end of the auction catalogue.
• either notify the winning bidder of the automatic
rescission of the sale, without prejudice to any damages
that may be claimed. The defaulting winning bidder will
remain liable to pay the auction costs ;
• or pursue the enforcement of the sale and payment of the
hammer price and auction costs, for its own benefit and/or
on behalf of the seller.
PIASA reserves the right to exclude any winning bidder
who fails to pay, or who does not comply with these
general terms and conditions of auction, from any future
auctions.
WITHDRAWAL OF PRIZES
No withdrawals will be possible at the Patinoire Royale.
No lots under temporary importation ƒ may be withdrawn
in Belgium. These lots must be withdrawn in Paris, France.
The successful bidder is responsible for making all
necessary arrangements for the collection of their lots,
which shall be carried out exclusively at their own
expense. They shall be solely responsible for checking the
condition of the lots, as well as their packaging, insurance,
and transport. PIASA accepts no responsibility in this
regard. Signing the collection form constitutes acceptance
of the lot. No claims will be accepted once the collection
form has been signed.
For Belgian residents :
Provided that they have been paid for in advance and that
written authorisation for collection has been received from
PIASA Belgium, all lots purchased may be collected from
Tuesday 27 January 2026 :
IN OUR STORAGE AREA IN BELGIUM
Embelco, Woluwelaan 147, 1831 Diegem, Belgium. Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8.30 am to 5pm and
Friday from 8.30 am to 2 pm. Tel : +32 2 725 09 69
If the works of art and furniture are not collected within
10 days of storage in Zaventem, a fee of €15/m³/week will
be charged from Monday 9 February 2026. This fee will be
invoiced directly by Embelco.
For residents outside Belgium :
Withdrawals will be made in Paris, France. Provided they
have been paid for in advance, all lots purchased may be
collected as from the Monday following the sale :
IN OUR STORAGE AREA IN FRANCE
PIASA 5, boulevard Ney 75018 Paris (Open from 9am
to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm). Entrance via 215, rue
d'Aubervilliers 75018 Paris (Level -1, zone C-15). Maximum
lorry height : 3m90
Items may be collected by appointment by email :
piasa-ney@piasa.fr
Lots may be kept free of charge for 30 days. After this
period, storage and insurance costs will be borne by the
buyers at a flat rate of €30 excluding VAT and €3 excluding
VAT per calendar day and per lot, and €6 excluding VAT
per calendar day and per lot for furniture.
After 60 days, PIASA declines all responsibility for any
damage the object may incur, and PIASA's guarantee will
then automatically cease.
EXPORT
The export of a consignment from Belgium or France, as
well as its import into another country, may be affected by
the laws of the country to which it is exported or imported.
The export of any goods from the two countries mentioned
above or import into another country may be subject to
obtaining one or more export or import authorizations.
Certain laws may prohibit the import or resale of a lot in
the country into which it was imported.
The export of certain items to a country of the European
Union requires an export certificate issued by the
competent departments of the Ministry of Culture within
a maximum period of 4 months following the application.
AUCTION PROCEEDINGS
1. The bids
The auctioneer is freely entitled to proceed with bidding.
Bids made in the auction room will take precedence to
online bids.
In the event that a reserve price has been set by the seller,
PIASA may carry bids on behalf of the seller until this
price has been reached. The lower limit of the appraisal
stated in the catalogue cannot be lower than the reserve
price, and may be modified up to the time of the auction.
The winning bidder shall be the highest and final bidder.
After the hammer fall, the auctioneer cannot take account
of any other bid whatsoever.
1. The presentation of the objects
Any changes to the catalog descriptions will be stated
verbally during the sale and noted in the minutes. At the
time of the auction, PIASA shall be entitled to shift lots,
group or subdivide lots, or withdraw lots from the auction.
PIASA may use video devices during the auction to
present the items put up for auction. PIASA shall bear no
liability in the event of a handling error (presentation of an
item that is different to the one for which bidding is made)
or in the event of dysfunction in the platform permitting
online bidding.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE SALE
The announcement of the sale (adjudication) causes
transfer of ownership title. A contract of sale is concluded
between the seller and the successful bidder.
As of the time of the adjudication, the items shall be
the entire responsibility of the buyer who must remove
them as soon as possible. He will also have to insure his
purchase(s) as soon as the adjudication is pronounced, the
whole of the risks, in particular of loss, degradations, theft
or others, being from this moment transferred to him.brefs
délais.
1. Payment
The highest bidder acquires the auctioned item for their
own benefit and is required to pay the price "au comptant".
Payment of the sale price must be made in person by the
successful bidder, without delay after the auction.
Payment for the item, as well as any applicable taxes, shall
be made in euros.
The successful bidder may pay by the following means :
1. Par virement bancaire en euros :
BANQUE ING Belgique SA, Avenue Marnix 24, B-1000
Bruxelles,
International Bank account number (IBAN) :
BE56 3632 5379 5688
BIC (SWIFT) : BBRUBEBB
2. En espèces :
Pursuant to Article 67§2 of the Belgian law of 18
September 2017 on the prevention of money laundering
and terrorist financing and on the limitation of the use of
cash, no payment exceeding €3,000 in cash may be made
in any transaction between consumers and professionals.
No split payment in cash, combined with another means of
payment for the balance, will be accepted, even if the cash
amount remains below the authorised limit.
In the event of the purchase of several lots, and unless
expressly stated otherwise by the buyer at the time of
partial payment, the buyer agrees that PIASA may freely
allocate said partial payment to the various sums due, in
the mutual interest of the parties and in order to ensure the
efficiency of all sales concluded.
In accordance with the law of 6 February 2024 concerning
the introduction of mandatory electronic invoicing,
successful bidders subject to Belgian VAT will receive their
buyer's note in electronic format via the secure PEPPOL
network.
The international regulations of 3 March 1973, known as
the Washington Convention (Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species, CITES), have the effect
of protecting specimens and species threatened with
extinction. The export or import of any lot made of or
containing any part (whatever the percentage) of ivory,
tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whalebone,
certain species of coral, rosewood etc. may be restricted or
prohibited.
The Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/2280 of
December 16, 2021 prohibits the export outside the
European Union of any lot containing a worked ivory
component, with the exception of pre-1975 musical
instruments.
It is the buyer's sole responsibility to take advice and
meeting the requirements of any laws or regulations which
apply to exporting or importing any lot, prior to bidding.
In some cases, the lot concerned may only be shipped
along with an independent scientific confirmation of
species and/or age of the specimen concerned, which will
be issued at the expense of the buyer.
PIASA can, on request, assist the buyer in obtaining the
required licenses and independent scientific confirmation.
This proceeding will be carried out at the buyer's expense.
However, PIASA cannot guarantee that the buyer will get
the appropriate license.
However, PIASA cannot guarantee that the necessary
authorizations will be granted. PIASA cannot under
any circumstances guarantee the issuance of such
authorizations, which fall exclusively within the
competence of the relevant authorities.
In the event of refusal or delay in obtaining the permit,
the buyer remains liable to pay the full purchase price of
the lot.
Such a refusal or delay shall not allow for late payment or
cancellation of the sale.
Transportation of the lots shall be made at the expense and
entirely under the responsibility of the winning bidder.
The sale is made for payment with immediate value and
in euros.
In the event of the export of a lot outside the European
Union, the VAT collected on the commission or on the
sale price of the lot, may be refunded to the buyer within
the statutory time limits, subject to the presentation
of customs documents evidencing the export of the lot
concerned.
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
The provisions of the terms and conditions of sale are
independent of each other. The invalidity of any provision
of these terms and conditions of sale shall not affect the
validity of the other provisions.
These terms and conditions of sale are written in French
and governed by Belgian law. Any disputes relating to the
interpretation or application of these General Terms and
Conditions of Sale shall be brought before the Belgian
courts with jurisdiction in the jurisdiction of PIASA's
registered office.
PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
PIASA is committed to ensuring the protection of personal
data collected in connection with the organization of
its public auctions. Any person wishing to place a bid is
invited to consult PIASA's privacy policy, available on its
website, and to familiarize themselves with their full rights
in this regard. In accordance with applicable regulations,
all PIASA clients have the right to access, rectify, and
object to the processing of their personal data.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
PIASA holds the reproduction rights to all content in its
catalogue, and any reproduction, whether in whole or in
part, is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, PIASA draws its
clients' attention to the fact that the sale of a lot in no way
implies the transfer of any associated copyright.
Shipping Terms
WITHDRAWAL OF PRIZES
No withdrawals will be possible at the Patinoire Royale.
No lots under temporary importation ƒ may be withdrawn
in Belgium. These lots must be withdrawn in Paris, France.
The successful bidder is responsible for making all
necessary arrangements for the collection of their lots,
which shall be carried out exclusively at their own
expense. They shall be solely responsible for checking the
condition of the lots, as well as their packaging, insurance,
and transport. PIASA accepts no responsibility in this
regard. Signing the collection form constitutes acceptance
of the lot. No claims will be accepted once the collection
form has been signed.
For Belgian residents :
Provided that they have been paid for in advance and that
written authorisation for collection has been received from
PIASA Belgium, all lots purchased may be collected from
Tuesday 27 January 2026 :
IN OUR STORAGE AREA IN BELGIUM
Embelco, Woluwelaan 147, 1831 Diegem, Belgium. Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8.30 am to 5pm and
Friday from 8.30 am to 2 pm. Tel : +32 2 725 09 69
If the works of art and furniture are not collected within
10 days of storage in Zaventem, a fee of €15/m³/week will
be charged from Monday 9 February 2026. This fee will be
invoiced directly by Embelco.
For residents outside Belgium :
Withdrawals will be made in Paris, France. Provided they
have been paid for in advance, all lots purchased may be
collected as from the Monday following the sale :
IN OUR STORAGE AREA IN FRANCE
PIASA 5, boulevard Ney 75018 Paris (Open from 9am
to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm). Entrance via 215, rue
d'Aubervilliers 75018 Paris (Level -1, zone C-15). Maximum
lorry height : 3m90
Items may be collected by appointment by email :
piasa-ney@piasa.fr
Lots may be kept free of charge for 30 days. After this
period, storage and insurance costs will be borne by the
buyers at a flat rate of €30 excluding VAT and €3 excluding
VAT per calendar day and per lot, and €6 excluding VAT
per calendar day and per lot for furniture.
After 60 days, PIASA declines all responsibility for any
damage the object may incur, and PIASA's guarantee will
then automatically cease.
