How to Sell
Thinking of selling? Read our guide below to help you present your item or collection at auction.
1. VALUATION
First, discover the value of your piece or collection with a complimentary valuation. Submit items online for valuation here.
Alternatively, verbal valuations are available with our specialists by appointment (please note, our specialists are often out of the office, so an appointment is vital). We also hold monthly valuations evenings with no appointment necessary. For more information please click here.
2. CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
If you decide to offer your item at auction with Leonard Joel, a specialist will advise the most suitable auction for your item and an appropriate price estimate. Then, we will send you a Consignment Agreement. This is a contract that outlines our terms, fees and conditions of business.
3. BEFORE THE AUCTION
Once Leonard Joel has received your item or collection, it will be photographed and catalogued by our team. Before the auction, we will agree a reserve price with you. Your item will not be sold for less than this price at auction.
4. AUCTION
Our experienced auctioneers will present your item/s for sale at auction. We invite you, the vendor, to join us in room (where applicable) or watch in real time online.
5. PAYMENT
After the successful auction of your item, you will receive payment into your nominated bank account, minus Leonard Joel commission and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leonard Joel offers specialist expertise and regular, curated auctions in Fine Art, Important Jewels, Decorative Arts, Fine Jewels & Timepieces, Asian Works of Art, Modern Design, Prints & Multiples, Luxury, and more. Please click here to view our full list of departments.
In addition, we also host the long-running and increasingly popular Auction Salon that takes place each Thursday in Melbourne and offers art, jewellery, furniture, interiors, objects, collectables, luxury, and more.
If you are looking to sell, our specialists will guide you through which auction they recommend for your piece.
Please refer to our “About” menu option for our Ivory and Indigenous Art policies.
The bidding begins:
Typically we will begin the bidding process at the low estimate then the bid price is raised by a combination of in-room bidders, absentee bidders, telephone bidders and live online bidding and in no particular order.
The Auctioneers:
Our auctioneers are natural, highly skilled multi-taskers scanning the room for bidding activity. Their eyes and reactions are what determine the placement of bids and the final hammer price.
How a sale is completed:
Once all bidding is exhausted and there is only one bidder left the pace of the Auction slows and the Auctioneer provides fair warning before lowering the gavel and concluding the purchase with the highest bidder.
Yes, once you have received your valuation and decide to sell at auction, our specialists will liaise with you directly to arrange a time for you to deliver your item/s to Leonard Joel.