Goldsmithing – Silverware

When selling your silverware, it's essential to consider the hallmark, weight, condition, brand, style, provenance, and current market demand. You can contact an expert at our auction house to get an accurate appraisal and help you get the best price. 

There are several ways to distinguish solid silver from silver-plated metal. Here are the main criteria to consider when recognizing these two types of materials: 

The hallmark is one of the most reliable ways to identify the authenticity of silver. Solid silver, especially sterling silver, usually bears a specific hallmark that indicates its pure silver content. In France, the hallmark neck brace (or other hallmark indicating purity) is used to mark sterling silver (92.5% pure silver). 

  • Solid silver hallmark : You will find a hallmark indicating a percentage of silver (925/1000 for sterling silver, for example). 
  • Silver metal : Silver-plated items may not have a hallmark or may display less precise markings, such as hallmarks indicating a thin silver layer.

Another way to differentiate sterling silver from silver-plated metal is to lightly tap the item with a small, hard object (such as a key). Sterling silver produces a purer, clearer, and more resonant sound, while silver-plated metal produces a more muted sound. This is due to the difference in composition: sterling silver is a denser metal than silver-plated metal, which is often an alloy with a thin layer of silver. 

 

Sterling silver is heavier than silver-plated metal, which has a thin layer of silver over a base metal such as copper or steel. If you compare two objects of similar size, the sterling silver object will be significantly heavier than the silver-plated object. 

Sterling silver has a distinctive color and shine. Silver-plated metal, being a thin layer of silver applied over a base metal, can tarnish more quickly and show signs of wear, especially around edges or areas of friction where the underlying metal may show through. Sterling silver, on the other hand, retains its shine longer and is more resistant to wear. 

Silver is a non-magnetic metal. If you have an item that you suspect is silver-plated, you can test it with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the item, it probably isn't solid silver, but rather ferrous metal or a base alloy with a silver coating. 

Another test is to use an acid test, but it's best to have this done by a professional. By applying acid to a small, inconspicuous area of the item, you can observe if a chemical reaction occurs. Sterling silver will react differently than silver-plated metal. 

If you have a piece of silverware, jewelry, or other item with a maker's mark, this can also be an important clue. Marks from famous designers or manufacturers (such as Tiffany & Co., Christofle, Puiforcat, etc.) can be an indicator of the quality of the silver. Silver plate manufacturers, on the other hand, often mark their products with terms like “plated” or “silver-plated,” which indicates that it is silver plated and not solid silver. 

Definitions

The auctioneer conducts the auction.

There are two auction types :

  • Voluntary auctions : an owner provides freely items. The voluntary auction is organized in accordance with the provisions of the French Civil Code (laws of July 10, 2000 and July 20, 2011,art. L. 321-1 to L. 321-38 of the French Commercial Code). The fees are applied in addition to the hammer price. They are generally set at 20% pre-tax, i.e 24% after tax.Upcoming Voluntary Sales.
  • The judicial sales : a judicial sale is provided for by a law or regulation, or can be authorized by a judge. Fees in addition to the hammer price are set at 12% pre-tax, i.e 14.40% after tax.Upcoming judicial sales.
 

A sale can be described as an auction when anybody is free to participate, under the sole condition of his solvency.

Everybody is able to hear all the offers made, and can thus outbid. The object presented is won by the highest bidder.

Any bid has to be equal to or higher than the starting price, or must be higher than the one proposed by a competitor for the purchase of the thing.

The amount of every bid is repeated out loud by the auctioneer so that every bidder can hear it.

This way, auctions are an objective and automatic mode of designation of a price and a purchaser.

The purchase order corresponds to a specific maximum amount in euros up to which the auctioneer is mandated to buy the item. The auctioneer buys the item on behalf of his client, in accordance with the instructions of the purchase order form. The auctioneer aims to purchase the item at the lowest possible price and still under the maximum price his client has set.

 

How to bid ?

The auctions being "public", they are open to anyone who can bid, i.e to any creditworthy person.

The place where the sale takes place is public. The auctioneer ensures the free access to the sale.

The restrictions to participate in an auction are those of common law : non-emancipated minors, protected adults, people under the influence of alcohol.

The auctioneer may subject the participation to a prior registration and the presentation of a guarantee of payment, these conditions being objective, non-discriminatory and appropriate.

The price is shouted. The sale is conducted in French and bids are made in euros. The auctioneer conducts the operations. He designates the item for sale and announces a starting price. People start bidding. When it turns out that no one is willing to offer a higher price, the item is won. The lot is sold and the sale is over when the auctioneer blows the hammer and says 'Adjugé'.

It is possible to bid by raising your hand, the sign being immediately translated into figures by the auctioneer, who announces it orally.

If you can't attend the saleit is possible to place an absentee bid. You have to fill in a purchase order form with the highest amount you are willing to pay for the artwork..
Once your form is registered, you will receive a confirmation by email.

If you can't attend the saleit is possible to place an absentee bid. You have to fill in a purchase order form with the highest amount you are willing to pay for the artwork..

Once your purchase order is registered, you will have the confirmation by email. You may be required to provide a piece of identification for the buyer as well as his bank details.
For some objects of exceptional character and/or value, a guarantee deposit may be required.

If the purchase order is made on behalf of a legal entity such as a company, you may be required to provide a Kbis extract and the ID of the manager mentioned in this document.

If the auctioneer receives several orders for identical amounts on the same lot and if, at the auction, these orders represent the highest bids, it will be awarded to the bidder whose order has been received first. .

No purchase order lower than the low estimate is accepted.

Full contact details must be provided in the form.

If the purchase order has been completed, the bill of sale summarizing the designation of the objects purchased, the amount awarded and the total amount with the fees will be sent no later than 24 hours after the sale (excluding non-working days).

The sending is done to the email filled during the request or, in the absence of it, by postal way.

it is possible to place bids by telephone.

Bidding by telephone lets you take part in the auction without having to be present in the auction room. If you would like to do this you will need to book yourself in as a telephone bidder in advance. Places are available on a first-come-first-served basis. You will also need to fill in a telephone bid form, providing proof of identity and residence and a contact telephone. is the one by which the person asks to be called on the phone during the auction, to make a live auction. To do this, simply fill in a Telephone bid form.

Once your request is registered, you will have the confirmation by email or telephone. You may be required to provide an ID as well as bank details.
For some objects of exceptional character and/or value, a guarantee deposit may be required.

If the purchase order is made on behalf of a legal entity such as a company, you may be required to provide a Kbis extract and the ID of the manager mentioned in this document.

Please note that this is a free service provided by the Auction House that can not be held responsible in case of late request or defective telephone link or in case of any error made in telephone contact.

No telephone bid form for objects whose low estimate is lower than 200 euros is accepted.

 

If you want to bid on the internet, the Auction House Labarbe uses the platform Interencheres Live. Live sales are broadcast on https://www.interencheres-live.com/. They bring two new services:

  • of the live auctions it allows to remotely participate in a real-time auction. From your computer, you can follow the auction fire and the auctioneer's comments during the sale (with sound and video). At any time and with a single click, you can bid as if you were in the room on the lots you want.
  • of the secret purchase orders : interencheres-live.com offers a service of secret purchase orders. Secret purchase orders are automatically executed and computerized. Their maximum amounts are not disclosed to the auctioneer. The bidders benefit from the guarantee of a purchase at the fairest price if they win the auction.

If you want to participate in an auction live or deposit a secret purchase order, kindly note that you have to register BEFORE the sale on interencheres-live.com.

Taxes are alway included in the hammer price, but the selling fees are not. Selling fees are a percentage calculated on the total amount of the sales bill. They can cary from one sale to another.

If you bid on the internet, an additional 3-percent fee applies. It pays the subcontractor responsible for organizing the auction live.

The payment of any item is due immediately. spot.

You can pay cashcash in the limit of €1000 with fees for French citizens and up to €15,000 with fees for anybody whose tax domicile is abroad.

The payment can also be made by credit card when the place of the sale allows it. 4% additional fees are charged to purchasers holding foreign cards.

If you bids were placed remotely, payment must be made upon receipt of the sales slip. You can pay by making an appointment with our accounting department, or use a bank transfer. Please contact us to retrieve our bank details.

For purchases made via the platform interencheres-live.com, the total amount can be debited from the credit card you've used for the registration.

How to pick up your purchase ?

  • I'm leaving with my goods on the same day.
    The staff will give me my goods on presentation of my sale slip (my invoice) fully paid.
  • I can not immediately take away my goods.
    Exceptionally, the Labarbe House can give you 72 hours to pick up your items. You should find out the place of storage of your object by contacting us beforehand. We will give you your good on presentation of my sale slip (my invoice) fully paid.
  • You can also mandate the person of your choice to pick up your property. In this case, you have to :
  1. fill out and send it to the Auction House a withdrawal authorization of the goods by a third person.
  2. This third person must present a copy of the sale slip fully paid, the withdrawal authorization, and his ID. If the sale slip hasn't been fully paidthis person has to do it at the auction house, in cash up to €1000 with fees or by credit card.
  • You pick up your property in person.
    On presentation of a sale slip fully paid, the goods can be withdrawn at the auction house. during opening hours, or when appropriate, at another place of sale. You should find out where your good is stored by contacting us beforehand.
  • You mandate the person of your choice to pick up your property. In this case, you must :
    1. Inform us by filling in a withdrawal authorization by a third party.
    2. This person must present the copy of the fully paid slip sale, the withdrawal authorization, and an ID. If the sale slip hasn't been fully paidthis person has to do it at the auction house, in cash up to €1000 with fees or by credit card.

    You should first find out where your good is stored by contacting us beforehand.

  • You want to call a carrier.
    You are free to call the carrier of your choice. If you don't know any transport company, the auction house can give you the details of a professional. In any case, you must :
  1. Inform us by filling in a withdrawal authorization of the goods by a third person.
  2. Transmit to the carrier a copy of my fully paid sale slip.
  3. You should first find out where your good is stored by contacting us beforehand.

Unless otherwise specified, the property is sent in good condition. The auction house is not liable for any loss or damage. The cost of the transport is the responsability of the purchaser.

  • I wish my purchases to be sent by post.
    It will be perceived a A price for packaging and shipping is required. It changes from 5 to €20 depending on the weight and volume of the property. Unless otherwise specified, the property is sent in good condition. The auction house is not liable for any loss or damage. The costs and the responsibility of the transport belong to the purchaser. In case of a postal sending, please contact us so that we can give you a quote. The auction House can refuse the packaging service if it seems to be too risky, given the nature of the object. The transport being carried out under the full responsibility of the buyer, please contact us to know if the good you want to acquire can be dispatched.