Research the Market

“Buying art and antiques is a passion driven business – but even so, the best collectors always do their research and find out as much as they can about the artefact they are about to bid on. Read around your desired artist or object and talk to specialists in the auction industry. Any specialist will always be happy to share their knowledge; as every good auction house should.”

Compare Values

“Auction estimates are just a guide. On the day, the market decides whether they agree with the auctioneer by directing bids as they appear. Value will be determined by a number of factors, but the most important to consider are authenticity of the work, followed by rarity, condition and provenance.”

Buy the Best

“For maximum investment, the old adage about buying the best you can afford is always great advice. Obviously, this can be difficult if you have a passion for a big name artist, but if this is the case and bidding is fierce, drawings, prints and editions can give collectors a starting point for their portfolio. If money is not a concern always buy the very best you can.”

Decide How to Bid

“These days, there are so many ways to execute your bid at auction. You can set your limit and leave the bid with the auctioneer in advance of the sale, or jump on the web or phone and bid live as the auction progresses. The best way, in my opinion, is to attend a live sale. This way, you can check out the atmosphere and enjoy the experience with a great auctioneer. It is thrilling stuff to witness and an experience you will always remember.”

Always Bid One More

“As an auctioneer I would say this, wouldn’t I? But it is so important to have no regrets. If you really want something and you are at the final stages of bidding, try not to fall at the final hurdle. Any serious collectors will quickly forget that extra bid in years to come if you are ultimately successful winning the item of your desire.”

Check It Fits

“This sounds simple, but it is actually a very common bidding blunder. Even I have got carried away with bidding on something I fell in love with at auction, only to fall foul of not checking the dimensions of where it would fit once I got it home. Don’t make an expensive mistake: it only leads to a headache.”

Enjoy the Process

“Auctions are tremendous fun – sometimes nerve-wracking and other times euphoric. Either way, the process of viewing and then bidding on incredible artefacts should always be a memorable one. Soak up the atmosphere: you could be going home with an exquisite edition to your collection.”

The post Become the Winning Bidder With This Guide to Auction Success appeared first on Best of Living.

Are there any antiques or collectible categories that are in demand among high-net-worth collectors right now?

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but anything with strong provenance and that tells a good is always highly sought after. Increasingly we are seeing traditional oak furniture and folk art being paired with modern British and Irish art which can create a great ‘history’ of British visual culture. We have seen interior designers move away from fitted and uniform furnishings and embrace the eccentricities of pieces which have stood the test of time.”

What is the most extraordinary piece you’ve come across? 

“It would be impossible to choose just one piece from the collections I’ve worked on, but one of the most exciting discoveries from our forthcoming sale of The Collection of Lady Glenconner is a travelling vanity case previously owned by Nancy Lancaster, with all the accessories and jars mounted in 14 carat gold. A vast sum then, it now has a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-£30,000. The glamour of having such a decadent object for travel is something I wish I could replicate myself, and what made it even more exciting was that we only discovered it was gold once we had it back at the office.”

How should someone start building a collection without making any common mistakes?

“Always ask for a condition report and speak with the specialists involved in a sale – both are there to help you make an informed decision about the pieces you’re interested in, and specialists love talking about the objects they have helped bring to sale. People are a great resource and can point you in the direction of pieces that you didn’t even know you wanted.”

Which piece in your own collection would you never part with?

“The first piece I bought was a set of six 19th century coloured cut-glass martini glasses which are used religiously every time there is a special occasion. Aside from the fact they wouldn’t reach much at auction today, I could never part with them because they remind me of the reason why I started in the auction business to begin with: the excitement of a bid and the thrill when the hammer comes down in your favour is something you can never forget.”

Have you ever uncovered a hidden gem?

“The exciting part about working in Private & Iconic Collections is that we often have completely free access to a collector’s home in order to curate a sale worthy of their objects and their name. This means we often find hidden gems hidden in the attics, under beds, or in the garden shed. One of the first sales I worked on was The Personal Collection of Sir Michael Caine, and we were delighted to discover a collection of his film posters in the attic which went on to find new homes globally amongst his fanbase.”

And where’s the best places, in your opinion, to find antiques?

“Auction! Especially online sales which tend to offer a larger and wider variety of pieces.”

The post Interview: Bonhams Collections Antiques Expert Madeleine Cater  appeared first on Best of Living.

Quality over quantity 

“We’ve noticed the multi-million-pound sales that used to dominate the headlines have slowed down recently. The real action now sits in the mid-market – strong works between £100,000 and £1 million. I think collectors are being more selective, but they’re still buying quality.”

Fresh talent

“There’s a real shift toward emerging names with serious momentum; artists backed by solid galleries, with growing online followings and credible exhibition histories. They’re not household names yet, but they’re attracting competitive bidding and healthy resale interest.”

Auctions are global

“Online bidding isn’t a side act anymore; it is the auction room. Around four out of five bidders now take part digitally. That’s opened the door for younger buyers and global participation. The energy of the room feels different, yes, but it’s just as exciting as you’re now competing with people in London, New York, and Hong Kong all at once.”

Less is more

“We always tell clients to buy better, not more. A single standout piece with strong provenance will hold its value far better than a handful of average works. Collectors are far more interested in what’s important, not what’s simply available.”

Private value

“When the open market tightens, private sales tend to flourish. Christie’s reported a rise of over 40% in private transactions last year. Discretion and certainty are key now: people still want to buy, but they want to do it quietly and smartly.”

Spread your investments

“Think of your art collections like building a portfolio. A good mix might include established blue-chip names for stability, a few mid-career or red-chip artists for growth, and perhaps one or two design or edition pieces to keep things interesting. That type of balance keeps you covered in any market.”

Cool collector

“The best buyers are calm ones. Set your ceiling before the sale and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the adrenaline, let others do that. When it comes to art auctions, a steady hand wins more often than not.”

Rethink tradition

“Global art sales last year totalled around $57 billion, which is down about 12%, but the number of works sold actually rose. That tells us the appetite’s still there for great works; buyers are just being more thoughtful about where they spend. The ultra-high end has softened, but activity online and in private sales remains very strong. This is a great time to widen your collection.”

Disclaimer: This article is for editorial and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Art investments can fluctuate in value, and returns are not guaranteed. Readers should seek independent professional guidance before making any financial decisions. Prices, market data and availability were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.

The post Now’s the Time to Invest In Art and Reap Those Rewards appeared first on Best of Living.