Radar · Protocol

The auction

The saleroom is one of the last theatres of strict ritual in the world of luxury: one registers, one raises a numbered paddle, and every gesture is binding. The houses publish their rules; here they are.

What the institutions publish

Christie's. To bid in the room, Christie's recommends registering at least 24 hours before the sale, and the paddle is collected on presentation of photo identification and proof of address.
Christie's. Bidding generally opens below the low estimate and advances in increments of up to 10 per cent, at the auctioneer's discretion.
Christie's. A bid is irrevocable: once made, it can no longer be cancelled.
Sotheby's. Every lot sold is invoiced to the name and address under which the paddle was registered, with no transfer possible to another name or another address.
Sotheby's. Handling an object on display on the auction house's premises is done at the visitor's own risk.
Phillips. Absentee bids and requests for telephone bidding must reach Phillips at least 24 hours before the sale.

Each rule is taken from the document published by the institution, consulted at its official address on 27/08/2026.

Custom, according to the house

One views the exhibition before the sale, and asks before touching. One is seated before the first lot, keeps one's gestures to oneself and raises the paddle decisively: in a saleroom, it is the auctioneer one watches. Silence during the lots of others is the first elegance.

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