For auction houses
Auction houses: preparing an online sale
From an object's consignment to the published catalogue: the steps of an online sale, and what Dlala's professional workspace handles.
Receiving the objects
Each object entrusted to you arrives as a consignment: its photographs, description, proposed estimate and documents. The consignment is followed until a decision, then the object becomes a lot.
Describing and photographing
The lot page brings together title, artist or maker, period, materials, dimensions and provenance. Photographs must show the object as it is: no retouching that changes its appearance. The condition report states what was checked and by whom.
Building the catalogue
You set the order of the lots, the estimates, starting prices, increments and, if needed, a confidential reserve, as well as the conditions of sale. You choose the format: timed, or live on video.
Publishing and selling as a team
Publication makes the catalogue public; a correction made afterwards is recorded and shown on the lot page. Manager, auctioneer, cataloguer, assistant and viewer work in the same space, each according to their role.
Dlala opens its professional workspace to selected auction houses through a pilot programme. The house keeps its legal responsibilities as the seller at auction.
These guides give general pointers; the conditions of each sale, published with its catalogue, are what apply.