IMPORTANT NOTICE

All lots are sold subject to Sotheby’s Conditions of Business and Authenticity Guarantee. Prospective bidders are advised to review the information below. This document comprises the following sections:

•       BUYING AT AUCTION

•       SALES AND USE TAXES

•       CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS FOR BUYERS

•       ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ONLINE BIDDING

•       AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE

Your attention is particularly drawn to Condition 3 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Duties of Bidders and of Sotheby’s in respect of items for sale). Whilst Sotheby’s will be pleased to provide more detailed reports on any lot on request, all catalogue illustrations and condition reports are intended as a guide only.

For deposit requirements and storage fees, please refer to Section 1 (Before the Auction) and Section 4 (After the Auction) in the BUYING AT AUCTION section for details.

The Conditions of Business for Sellers, which forms part of Sotheby’s Conditions of Business, are available from Sotheby’s offices on request.

BUYING AT AUCTION

Buying at Auction The information set out in this section is designed to give you useful information on how to buy at auction. Sotheby’s staff will be happy to assist you. However, it is important that you read the following information carefully and note that Sotheby’s acts for the seller; you should refer in particular to Conditions 3 (Duties of Bidders and of Sotheby’s in respect of items for sale) and 4 (Exclusions and limitations of liability to Buyers) of the Conditions of Business for Buyers.

Prospective bidders should also consult www.sothebys.com for the most up to date cataloguing of the property in this catalogue.

Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium A buyer’s premium and overhead premium will be added to the hammer price and are payable by the buyer as part of the total purchase price. The buyer’s premium is 24% of the hammer price. The overhead premium, which covers an allocation of Sotheby's overhead costs relating to our facilities, property handling and other administrative expenses, is 1% of the hammer price.

1. BEFORE THE AUCTION

Deposit If you wish to bid on (✧) lots in the printed catalogue and (✧ ) lots in the eCatalogue, you may be required to deliver to Sotheby’s a deposit of HK$1,000,000 or such other higher amount as may be determined by Sotheby’s, and any financial references, guarantees and/or such other security as Sotheby’s may require in its absolute discretion as security for the bid. In particular, Sotheby’s may request at any time any additional deposit, guarantee and/or other security from any bidder whose total bidding (hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium) has reached or exceeded ten times the amount of that bidder’s deposit. Sotheby’s may reject any further bidding from such bidder until it has received in full such additional deposit, guarantee and/or other security. Online bidding in a live sale is subject to approval on a lot-by-lot basis.

For any lots other than Premium Lots, regardless of the low pre-sale estimate for the lot, Sotheby’s reserves the right to request from prospective bidders a deposit and any financial references, guarantees and/or such other security as Sotheby’s may require in its absolute discretion as security for the bid.

If a client is unsuccessful in bidding for a lot, Sotheby’s will refund the deposit to the client without interest (subject to set off against amounts owed by the client to Sotheby’s) within 14 business days of the sale. Any exchange losses or fees associated with the refund shall be borne by the client.

Sotheby’s decision on the above required for participation in any bidding shall be final.

Bidding in advance of the Live Auction Certain auctions have a period of online bidding followed by a live auction. In such cases, if you are unable to attend the live auction in person and wish to place bids, or simply wish to bid in advance of the live auction, you may do so on sothebys.com or via the Sotheby's App (each an "Online Platform" and together, the "Online Platforms"). In order to do so, you must register an account with Sotheby's and provide the requested information. Once you have done so, navigate to your desired lot and click the “Place Bid” button to start the process. You may bid at or above the starting bid displayed on the Online Platforms. Please note that Sotheby's reserves the right to amend the starting bid prior to the start of the live auction. You may also input your maximum bid which, upon confirmation, will be executed automatically up to this predefined maximum value, in response to other bids, including bids placed by Sotheby's on behalf of the seller, up to the amount of the reserve (if applicable). The current leading bid will be visible to all bidders; the value and status of your maximum bid will be visible only to you. If the status of your bid changes, you will receive notifications via email and push (if you have enabled push notifications on your device) prior to the start of the live auction. You may raise your maximum bid at any time in advance of the live auction. Please note that in certain circumstances clients who have been outbid may be reinstated as the leading bidder and will receive notification via email or push (if enabled on your device). Please refer further to the "BIDDING IN THE SALE section below. Online bids are made subject to the Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Bidding, which are published below and can also be viewed at sothebys.com, as well as the Conditions of Business applicable to the sale. 

Pre-sale Estimates Pre-sale estimates are intended as a guide for prospective buyers. Any bid between the high and low pre-sale estimates would, in our opinion, offer a chance of success. However, all lots can realise prices above or below the pre-sale estimates.

It is advisable to consult us nearer the time of sale as estimates can be subject to revision. The estimates do not include the buyer’s premium and overhead premium.

Cataloguing of old Wines and Spirits Wines and spirits are catalogued as accurately as possible at the time of going to press including the levels. However, such levels may change between cataloguing and sales. This may be caused by the ageing of the cork or by a change in the temperature of the storage conditions or the shipment of the wines and spirits. Additionally, there is a risk of cork failure in old wines and spirits which must be taken into account by the potential purchasers. Purchasers must take into consideration the natural variations and conditions of cases, labels, ullages, corks, wines and spirits. Except as set out in Sotheby’s Authenticity Guarantee, Sotheby’s is unable to accept returns.

Cautionary Notes Sotheby’s will not entertain any price negotiation or credit after the delivery is made and returns will not be accepted. Under no circumstances will substitutes be provided by Sotheby’s; for example in case of breakage or error of description.

Condition of Lots Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect the property at the pre-sale exhibitions. Solely as a convenience, Sotheby’s may provide condition reports. The absence of reference to the condition of a lot in the catalogue description does not imply that the lot is free from faults or imperfections. Please refer to Condition 3 (Duties of Bidders and of Sotheby’s in respect of items for sale) of the Conditions of Business for Buyers .

Provenance In certain circumstances, Sotheby’s may publish the history of ownership of an item of property if such information contributes to scholarship or is otherwise well known and assists in distinguishing the item of property. However, the identity of the seller or previous owners may not be disclosed for a variety of reasons. For example, such information may be excluded to accommodate a seller’s request for confidentiality or because the identity of prior owners is unknown given the age of the item of property.

2.  BIDDING IN THE SALE

Bidding at the Live Auction Following any applicable online bidding period, bids may be executed during the live auction in person, on the telephone or online via an Online Platform. Auction speeds vary, but average between 50 and 200 lots per hour. The bidding steps are generally in increments of approximately 10% of the previous bid. Please refer to Conditions 5 (Bidding at Auction) and 6 (Conduct of the Auction) of the Conditions of Business for Buyers.

Bidders using an Online Platform are subject to the Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Bidding, which are published below and can also be viewed at sothebys.com, as well as the Conditions of Business applicable to the sale. Online bidding in a live sale is subject to approval on a lot-by-lot basis.

Bidding in Person If you would like to bid in person at the live auction, you may register for a paddle prior to the start of the live auction through an Online Platform or by contacting Sotheby’s. Alternatively, you may register for a paddle upon entering the saleroom. Proof of identity will be required. If you are a first-time bidder, you will also be asked for your address, phone number, email address and signature in order to create your account. If you wish to register to bid on a Premium Lot, please see the paragraph above.

Should you be the successful buyer of a lot, please ensure that your paddle can be seen by the auctioneer and that it is your number that is called out. Should there be any doubts as to price or buyer, please draw the auctioneer’s attention to it immediately.

All lots sold will be invoiced to the name and address in which the paddle has been registered and cannot be transferred to other names and addresses.

Please do not mislay your paddle; in the event of loss, inform the Registration Desk immediately. At the end of the sale, please return your paddle to the registration desk.

Telephone Bids If you cannot attend the auction, it may be possible to bid on the telephone on lots with a minimum low estimate of HK$40,000. As the number of telephone lines is limited, it is necessary to make arrangements for this service at least 24 hours before the sale. We also suggest that you leave a maximum bid which we can execute on your behalf in the event we are unable to reach you by telephone. Multi-lingual staff are available to execute bids for you. Telephone bids are accepted only at Sotheby’s discretion and at the caller’s risk. Calls may also be recorded at Sotheby’s discretion. By bidding on the telephone, prospective buyers consent to the relevant risks and recording. Please refer to Condition 5 (Bidding at Auction) of the Conditions of Business for Buyers .

Absentee Bids For some sales (other than where the option to Advance Bid (as defined below) is enabled and a current bid is visible on the Online Platform), if you are unable to attend the live auction in person, you may place your maximum bid prior to the start of the live auction on an Online Platform or by submitting your maximum bid in writing to Sotheby’s. When the lot that you are interested in comes up for sale, the auctioneer will execute the bid on your behalf, making every effort to purchase the lot for as little as possible and never exceeding your limit. This service is free and confidential.

Advance Bidding For certain sales, bidders may submit bids in advance of the live auction (“Advance Bid”) through an Online Platform, as described above, or by submitting a maximum bid in writing to Sotheby’s. For these sales, if you submit an Advance Bid prior to the live auction, the system will automatically bid on your behalf up to and including your predetermined maximum Advance Bid in response to other bids, and will alert you via email and push notifications (if enabled on your device). During the live auction, if your Advance Bid remains as the leading bid, the auctioneer will execute your bid on your behalf in response to other bids. You may also continue to bid during the live auction above your predetermined maximum Advance Bid via an Online Platform using the Live Online Bidding method described below.

Live Online Bidding If you cannot attend the live auction, it is possible to bid live online via an Online Platform. For information about registering to bid via an Online Platform please refer to www.sothebys.com. Online bidding in a live sale is subject to approval on a lot-by-lot basis.

Consecutive and Responsive Bidding The auctioneer may open the bidding on any lot by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may further bid on behalf of the seller, up to the amount of the reserve, by placing consecutive or responsive bids for a lot. Please refer to Condition 6 (Conduct of the Auction) of the Conditions of Business for Buyers .

Employee Bidding Sotheby’s employees may bid only if the employee does not know the reserve and fully complies with Sotheby’s internal rules governing employee bidding.

3.  THE AUCTION

Conditions of Business Sotheby’s auctions are governed by the Conditions of Business for Sellers and Buyers and the Authenticity Guarantee. These apply to all aspects of the relationship between Sotheby’s and actual and prospective bidders and buyers. Anyone considering bidding in the auction should read them carefully. They may be amended by way of notices posted in the saleroom or by way of announcement made by the auctioneer. Online bids are made subject to the Conditions of Business applicable to the sale and the Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Bidding, which are published below and can also be viewed at sothebys.com.

Interested Parties Announcement In situations where a person who is allowed to bid on a lot has a direct or indirect interest in such lot, such as the beneficiary or executor of an estate selling the lot, a joint owner of the lot, or a party providing or participating in a guarantee of the lot, Sotheby’s will make an announcement in the sale room that interested parties may bid on the lot. In certain circumstances, interested parties may have knowledge of the reserves.

US Economic Sanctions The United States maintains economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, groups and organisations. There may be restrictions on the import into the United States of certain items originating in sanctioned countries, including Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Sudan. The purchaser’s inability to import any item into the US or any other country as a result of these or other restrictions shall not justify cancellation or rescission of the sale or any delay in payment. Please check with the specialist department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these import restrictions, or any other restrictions on importation or exportation.

Currency Board As a courtesy to bidders, a currency board is operated in many salerooms. It displays the lot number and current bid in both Hong Kong dollars and foreign currencies. Exchange rates are approximations based on recent exchange rate information and should not be relied upon as a precise invoice amount. Sotheby’s assumes no responsibility for any error or omission in the currency amounts shown.

4.  AFTER THE AUCTION

Invoices Successful bidders will receive an invoice detailing their purchase and giving instructions for payment and clearance of goods.

Payment The buyer must present satisfactory legal documentation that he or she is at least 18 years of age. Payment is due in HK dollars immediately after the sale and may be made by the following methods: Cash, Banker’s Draft, Cheque, Wire Transfer and Credit Card (American Express, MasterCard, China Union Pay & Visa).

It is against Sotheby’s general policy to accept single or multiple related payments in the form of cash or cash equivalents in excess of the local currency equivalent of US$10,000.

New clients or buyers preferring to make a cash payment are required to provide proof of identity in the form of government issued photo identification, such as passport, identity card or driver’s licence) and proof of permanent address.

Cheques and drafts should be made payable to Sotheby’s Hong Kong Limited. Although personal and company cheques drawn in HK dollars on Hong Kong banks are accepted, you are advised that property will not be released until such cheques have cleared.

All charges are subject to acceptance by Sotheby’s and by American Express, MasterCard, China UnionPay or Visa, as the case may be. In the case a charge is not approved, you will remain liable to Sotheby’s for all sums incurred by you. Credit card payment may not exceed HK$1,000,000. For all new clients to Sotheby’s or those whom we have not transacted before, we reserve the right to accept credit card payments presented in person only. 

Please note that Sotheby’s reserves the right to decline payments received from anyone other than the buyer of record and that clearance of such payments will be required.

We reserve the right to seek identification of the source of funds received.

The Conditions of Business require buyers to pay immediately after the auction for their purchases. However, in limited circumstances and with the seller’s agreement, Sotheby’s may grant buyers it deems creditworthy the option of paying for their purchases on an extended payment term basis. Credit terms must be arranged prior to the sale. In advance of determining whether to grant the extended payment terms, Sotheby’s may require credit references and proof of identity and residence.

Collection and Storage For collection, please contact Post Sale Services at hkpostsaleservices@sothebys.com

Wines offered lying in Hong Kong. Wines may be sold and delivered only to persons who are 18 years old. The Buyer warrants that he/she is at least 18 years of age. The Buyer shall be responsible for the shipment of these wines being received by a person at least 18 years of age or over. Except where otherwise stated, all lots are offered lying in Hong Kong at the warehouse of Crown Wine Cellars Limited (“Crown Wine Cellars”). Please refer to Crown Wine Cellars Limited through www.crownwinecellars.com for details. Collection from Crown Wine Cellars will be by appointment only. At least 7 days’ notice must be given. All clients (or their agents e.g. shippers) must examine all purchases or consignments in the presence of Crown Wine Cellars’ staff at Crown Wine Cellars’ premises from which they are collected. It is both Sotheby’s and Crown Wine Cellars’ policy to request proof of identity on collection of a lot. Lots will be released to you by Crown Wine Cellars or your authorised representative when full and cleared payment has been received by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. Removal, interest, storage and handling charges will be levied on uncollected lots. 

Release of Lots. Authority for the release of lots to the Buyer will be a Release Note issued by Sotheby’s to Crown Wine Cellars, which will be issued only after full payment has been received, appropriate identification, and delivery instructions has been provided. Crown Wine Cellars will then pass the Release Note to the Buyer to sign. All enquiries relating to delivery should be directed to Crown Wine Cellars after the Release Note has been issued by Sotheby’s.

Hong Kong Delivery. The wines will be delivered by Crown Wine Cellars in accordance with the Buyer’s instructions in the Delivery Instruction Form. Please note that Sotheby’s does not ship wine to buyers. Sotheby’s will forward to Crown Wine Cellars all delivery and collection requests received from buyers. On behalf of the Buyer, Crown Wine Cellars will arrange shipping or schedule a collection, subject to applicable law. All shipping and insurance costs and expenses must be pre-paid. A lot can only be delivered to one address, and you cannot split a lot for delivery to more than one addresses.

Delivery outside Hong Kong. Sotheby’s and Crown Wine Cellars cannot arrange nor take responsibility for shipments to non-Hong Kong addresses. For shipments outside of Hong Kong, Sotheby’s Wine will be pleased to introduce the purchaser to a forwarding agent. Where it is necessary to have a licence to import wines, procurement of the licence shall be the sole responsibility of the purchaser. All agents/ shippers collecting wine on behalf of purchaser for non-Hong Kong shipments must examine consignments in the presence of Crown Wine Cellars’ staff at Crown Wine Cellars’ premises from which they are collected. Sotheby’s will not refund any shipping charges under any circumstances. Please be advised that most countries regulate the shipment of wine. We urge you to investigate your country’s regulations before bidding or arranging for shipment of wine into your country. Neither Sotheby’s nor Crown Wine Cellars shall as a condition of sale assume any obligation nor bear any responsibility whatsoever for applying for or obtaining any permits or licenses. Therefore, all bidders are strongly advised to investigate the specific requirements to determine the manner in which alcoholic beverages shall be brought into their country so as to comply with all local regulations. Crown Wine Cellars and Sotheby’s make no representation to the legal rights of anyone to ship or import alcoholic beverages into any country. Wines may be sold and delivered only to persons who are of and above legal age (18 years old or above in Hong Kong).

Re-packing of Wines for Shipping outside Hong Kong. Sotheby’s and Crown Wine Cellars strongly recommend wines be re-packed into styrofoam cartons for any shipment outside Hong Kong. While Crown Wine Cellars cannot arrange nor take responsibility for shipments outside Hong Kong, at the Buyer’s request they can re-pack wines into styrofoam cartons at the rate of HK$160 per case of 6 bottles and HK$320 per case of 12 bottles, with a minimum charge of HK$160. Such fees must be paid in cash upon collection of the wines by the Buyer or its shipping agent. It is the responsibility of the Buyer or their shipping agent to request this service from Crown Wine Cellars, otherwise wines may be released in cartons not suitable for international shipping. Neither Sotheby’s nor Crown Wine Cellars take any responsibility for breakage of wines in during shipment, regardless of whether the wines have been re-packed or not. When requesting wines to be re-packed, please indicate to Crown Wine Cellars whether you do not want your shipper to collect any original wooden case.

Crown Wine Cellars will also release any original wooden case to the shipper, unless otherwise instructed by the Buyer.

Export. The export of any lot from Hong Kong or import into any other country may be subject to one or more export or import licences being granted. It is the Buyer’s responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. The denial of any licence required or delay in obtaining such licence cannot justify the cancellation of the sale or any delay in making payment of the total amount due. Sotheby’s recommends that you retain all import and export papers, including licences, as in certain countries you may be required to produce them to governmental authorities.

Storage. Complimentary storage for wine purchased in this sale will be available at Crown Wine Cellars for a period of 30 days following the auction. Should buyers wish to store their wine with Sotheby’s Wine Storage, Sotheby’s can offer storage at Crown Wine Cellar, which will be subject to the Buyer’s acceptance of the Virtual Cellar Terms of Use, Storage Terms of Use and Auto-Renewal Policy that may be found at https://www.sothebyswine.com/hk/storage.

Non-arrival, loss, breakage and shortage. Loss, breakage and shortage should be notified to both Sotheby’s and Crown Wine Cellars in writing within three days of delivery, which must be examined in the presence of the carrier on arrival. In the event of non-arrival, the Buyer must inform both Sotheby’s and Crown Wine Cellars in writing within 21 days of the date of the Release Order.

NOTE: Neither Sotheby’s nor Crown Wine Cellars is responsible for any acts or omission of any shipper, including, without limitation, any packing, shipping, delivery or insurance for purchased lots.

It is Sotheby’s policy to request proof of identity on collection of a lot. Lots will be released to you or your authorised representative after Sotheby’s has received full and final payment and upon presentation of appropriate government issued photo identification. Collection can be made with at least one business day’s notice, from Monday to Friday 9:30am - 6pm, except public holidays.

Removal, storage and handling charges may be levied on uncollected lots. Please refer to Condition 7 (Payment and Collection) of the Condition of Business for Buyers.

Loss or Damage Buyers are reminded that Sotheby’s accepts liability for loss or damage to lots for a maximum period of thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the live auction. Please refer to Condition 7 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Payment and Collection).

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

Symbol Key The following key explains the symbols you may see inside this catalogue.

✧ Premium Lots

In order to bid on “Premium Lots” ( ✧in print catalogue, ✧ in eCatalogue), Sotheby’s may request from prospective bidders to deliver to Sotheby’s a deposit of HK$1,000,000 or such other higher amount as may be determined by Sotheby’s, and any financial references, guarantees and/or such other security as Sotheby’s may require in its absolute discretion as security for the bid. Online bidding in a live sale is subject to approval on a lot-by-lot basis. If all lots in the catalogue are “Premium Lots”, a Special Notice will be included to this effect and this symbol will not be used.

○   Guaranteed Property

The seller of lots with this symbol has been guaranteed a minimum price from one auction or a series of auctions. This guarantee may be provided by Sotheby’s, or jointly by Sotheby’s and a third party. Sotheby's and any third parties providing a guarantee jointly with Sotheby's benefit financially if a guaranteed lot Is sold successfully and may incur a loss if the sale is not successful. If the Guaranteed Property symbol for a lot is not included in the printing of the auction catalogue, a pre-sale or pre-lot announcement will be made indicating that there is a guarantee on the lot. If every lot in a catalogue is -guaranteed, the Important Notices in the sale catalogue will so state and this symbol will not be used for each lot.

△ Property in which Sotheby’s has an Ownership Interest

Lots with this symbol indicate that Sotheby’s owns the lot in whole or in part or has an economic interest in the lot equivalent to an ownership interest.

⋑ Irrevocable Bids

Lots with this symbol indicate that a party has provided Sotheby’s with an irrevocable bid on the lot that will be executed during the sale at a value that ensures that the lot will sell. The irrevocable bidder, who may bid in excess of the irrevocable bid, will be compensated based on the final hammer price in the event he or she is not the successful bidder. If the irrevocable bidder is the successful bidder, he or she will be required to pay the full Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium and will not be otherwise compensated. From time to time, Sotheby’s may enter into irrevocable bid agreements that cover multiple lots. In such instances, the compensation Sotheby’s will pay the irrevocable bidder is allocated to the lots for which the irrevocable bidder is not the successful purchaser. Under such circumstances, the total compensation to the irrevocable bidder will not exceed the total buyer’s premium and other amounts paid to Sotheby’s in respect of any lots for which the irrevocable bidder is not the successful bidder. If the irrevocable bid is not secured until after the printing of the auction catalogue, Sotheby’s will notify bidders that there is an irrevocable bid on the lot by one or more of the following means: a pre-sale or pre-lot announcement, by written notice at the auction or by including an irrevocable bid symbol in the e-catalogue for the sale prior to the auction. From time to time, Sotheby’s or any affiliated company may provide the irrevocable bidder with financing related to the irrevocable bid. If the irrevocable bidder is advising anyone with respect to the lot, Sotheby’s requires the irrevocable bidder to disclose his or her financial interest in the lot. If an agent is advising you or bidding on your behalf with respect to a lot identified as being subject to an irrevocable bid, you should request that the agent disclose whether or not he or she has a financial interest in the lot.

* Interested Parties

Lots with this symbol indicate that parties with a direct or indirect interest in the lot may be bidding on the lot, including (i) the beneficiary of an estate selling the lot, or (ii) the joint owner of a lot. If the interested party is the successful bidder, they will be required to pay the full Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium. In certain instances, interested parties may have knowledge of the reserve. In the event the interested party’s possible participation in the sale is not known until after the printing of the auction catalogue, a pre-lot announcement will be made indicating that interested parties may be bidding on the lot.

□     No Reserve

Unless indicated by a box ( □ ), all lots included in this catalogue are offered subject to a reserve. A reserve is the confidential hammer price established between Sotheby’s and the seller and below which a lot will not be sold. The reserve is generally set at a percentage of the low estimate and will not exceed the low estimate for the lot. If any lots included in this sale are offered without a reserve, these lots are indicated by a box ( □ ). If all lots included in this sale are offered without a reserve, a Special Notice will be included to this effect and the box symbol will not be used for each lot.

All shipments should be unpacked and checked on delivery and any discrepancies notified immediately to the party identified in your quotation and/or the accompanying documentation.

Export The export of any lot from Hong Kong or import into any other country may be subject to one or more export or import licences being granted. It is the buyer’s responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. The denial of any licence required or delay in obtaining such licence cannot justify the cancellation of the sale or any delay in making payment of the total amount due. Sotheby’s, upon request and for an administrative fee, may apply for a licence to export your lot(s) outside Hong Kong.

Sotheby’s recommends that you retain all import and export papers, including licences, as in certain countries you may be required to produce them to governmental authorities.

5.  ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Financial Services Sotheby’s offers a wide range of financial services including advances on consignments, as well as loans secured by art collections not intended for sale. This is not an offer or solicitation and the services are subject to the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which the services are provided. For further information please contact Sotheby’s Financial Services in London at +44 20 7293 6005.

Pre-sale Auction Estimates Sotheby’s will be pleased to give preliminary pre-sale auction estimates for your property. This service is free of charge and is available from Sotheby’s experts in Hong Kong on weekdays between 9.30am and 4.30pm. We advise you to make an appointment with the relevant expert department. Upon request, we may also travel to your home to provide preliminary pre-sale auction estimates.

Valuations The Valuation department provides written inventories and valuations for many purposes including insurance, probate and succession division, asset management and tax planning. Valuations can be tailored to suit most needs. Fees are highly competitive. For further information please contact the relevant Expert department on (852) 2524 8121.

SALES AND USE TAXES

Buyers should note that local sales taxes or use taxes may become payable upon import of items following purchase (for example, use tax may be due when purchased items are imported into certain states in the US). Buyers should obtain their own advice in this regard.

In the event that Sotheby’s ships items for a purchaser in this sale to a destination within a US state in which Sotheby’s is registered to collect sales tax, Sotheby’s is obliged to collect and remit the respective state’s sales/use tax in effect on the total purchase price (including hammer price, buyer’s premium, overhead premium and any shipping services including insurance), of such items, regardless of the country in which the purchaser resides or is a citizen. Where the purchaser has provided Sotheby’s with a valid Resale Exemption Certificate prior to the release of the property, sales / use tax will not be charged. Clients who wish to provide resale or exemption documentation for their purchases should contact Post Sale Services.

CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS FOR BUYERS

The nature of the relationship between Sotheby’s, Sellers and Bidders and the terms on which Sotheby’s (as auctioneer) and Sellers contract with Bidders are set out below.

Bidders’ attention is specifically drawn to Conditions 3 and 4 below, which require them to investigate lots prior to bidding and which contain specific limitations and exclusions of the legal liability of Sotheby’s and Sellers. The limitations and exclusions relating to Sotheby’s are consistent with its role as auctioneer of large quantities of goods of a wide variety and Bidders should pay particular attention to these Conditions.

1.  Introduction

(a) Sotheby’s and Sellers’ contractual relationship with prospective Buyers is governed by:

(i)  these Conditions of Business;

(ii) the Conditions of Business for Sellers displayed in the saleroom and which are available upon request from Sotheby's Hong Kong salerooms or by telephoning (852) 2524 8121;

(iii) Sotheby’s Authenticity Guarantee as printed in the sale catalogue;

(iv) any additional notices and terms published by Sotheby’s, including the guide to Buying At Auction; and

(v) in respect of online bidding via an Online Platform, the Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Bidding published below and available on www.sothebys.com and on the Sotheby's App, in each case as amended by any saleroom notice or auctioneer's announcement at the live auction.

(b) As auctioneer, Sotheby’s acts as agent for the Seller. A sale contract is made directly between the Seller and the Buyer. However, Sotheby’s may own a lot (and in such circumstances acts in a principal capacity as Seller) and/or may have a legal, beneficial or financial interest in a lot as a secured creditor or otherwise.

2.  Common Terms

In these Conditions of Business:

"Bidder" is any person considering, making or attempting to make a bid, by whatever means, and includes Buyers;

"Buyer" is the person who makes the highest bid or offer accepted by the auctioneer, and includes such person's principal when bidding as agent;

"Buyer's Expenses" are any costs or expenses due to Sotheby's from the Buyer;

"Buyer's Premium" is the commission payable by the Buyer on the Hammer Price at the rates set out in the guide to Buying At Auction;

"Counterfeit" is as defined in Sotheby's Authenticity Guarantee;

"Hammer Price" is the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer by the fall of the hammer, (in the case of wine, as apportioned pro-rata by reference to the number of separately identified items in that lot), or in the case of a post-auction sale, the agreed sale price;

"Overhead Premium" is the allocation of Sotheby’s overhead costs relating to Sotheby’s facilities, property handling and other administrative expenses that is payable by the Buyer on the Hammer Price at the rates set out in the guide to Buying at Auction in the sale catalogue;

"Purchase Price" is the Hammer Price, Overhead Premium and applicable Buyer's Premium;

"Reserve" is the (confidential) minimum Hammer Price at which the Seller has agreed to sell a lot;

"Seller" is the person offering a lot for sale (including their agent (other than Sotheby's), executors or personal representatives);

"Sotheby's" means Sotheby's Hong Kong Ltd., which has its registered office at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong;

"Sotheby's Company" means Sotheby's in the USA and any of its subsidiaries (including “Sotheby's”) and Sotheby’s Diamonds SA and its subsidiaries (in each case ‘subsidiary’ having the meaning of Section 2 of the Companies Ordinance Cap.622).

3. Duties of Bidders and of Sotheby’s in respect of items for sale

(a) Sotheby’s knowledge in relation to each lot is partially dependent on information provided to it by the Seller, and Sotheby’s is not able to and does not carry out exhaustive due diligence on each lot. Bidders acknowledge this fact and accept responsibility for carrying out inspections and investigations to satisfy themselves as to the lots in which they may be interested.

(b) Each lot offered for sale at Sotheby’s is available for inspection by Bidders prior to the sale. Sotheby’s accepts bids on lots solely on the basis that Bidders (and independent experts on their behalf, to the extent appropriate given the nature and value of the lot and the Bidder's own expertise) have fully inspected the lot prior to bidding and have satisfied themselves as to both the condition of the lot and the accuracy of its description. 

(c) Bidders acknowledge that many lots are of an age and type which means that they are not in perfect condition. All lots are offered for sale in the condition they are in at the time of the auction (whether or not Bidders are in attendance at the auction). Condition reports may be available to assist when inspecting lots. Catalogue descriptions and condition reports may on occasions make reference to particular imperfections of a lot, but Bidders should note that lots may have other faults not expressly referred to in the catalogue or condition report. Illustrations are for identification purposes only and will not convey full information as to the actual condition of lots.

(d) Information provided to Bidders in respect of any lot, including any estimate, whether written or oral and including information in any catalogue, condition or other report, commentary or valuation, is not a representation of fact but rather is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby’s. Any estimate may not be relied on as a prediction of the selling price or value of the lot and may be revised from time to time in Sotheby's absolute discretion.

(e) No representations or warranties are made by Sotheby's or the Seller as to whether any lot is subject to copyright or whether the Buyer acquires copyright in any lot.

(f)  Subject to the matters referred to at 3(a) to 3(e) above and to the specific exclusions contained at Condition 4 below, Sotheby’s shall exercise such reasonable care when making express statements in catalogue descriptions or condition reports as is consistent with its role as auctioneer of lots in the sale to which these Conditions relate, and in the light of (i) the information provided to it by the Seller; (ii) scholarship and technical knowledge; and (iii) the generally accepted opinions of relevant experts, in each case at the time any such express statement is made.

4. Exclusions and limitations of liability to Buyers

(a) Sotheby’s shall refund the Purchase Price to the Buyer in circumstances where it deems that the lot is a Counterfeit and each of the conditions of the Authenticity Guarantee has been satisfied.

(b) In the light of the matters in Condition 3 above and subject to Conditions 4(a) and 4(e), neither any Sotheby's Company nor the Seller:

(i)  is liable for any errors or omissions in information provided to Bidders by Sotheby’s (or any Sotheby's Company), whether orally or in writing, whether negligent or otherwise, except as set out in Condition 3(f) above;

(ii) gives any guarantee or warranty to Bidders and any implied warranties and conditions are excluded (save in so far as such obligations cannot be excluded by law) other than the express warranties given by the Seller to the Buyer in Condition 2 of the Sellers' Conditions of Business;

(iii) accepts responsibility to any Bidders in respect of acts or omissions (whether negligent or otherwise) by Sotheby’s in connection with the conduct of auctions or for any matter relating to the sale of any lot.

(c) Unless Sotheby’s owns a lot offered for sale, it is not responsible for any breach of these conditions by the Seller.

(d) Without prejudice to Condition 4(b), any claim against Sotheby’s or the Seller by a Bidder is limited to the Purchase Price with regard to that lot. Neither Sotheby’s nor the Seller shall under any circumstances be liable for any consequential losses.

(e) None of this Condition 4 shall exclude or limit Sotheby’s liability in respect of any fraudulent misrepresentation made by Sotheby’s or the Seller, or in respect of death or personal injury caused by the negligent acts or omissions of Sotheby’s or the Seller.

5.  Bidding at Auction

(a) Sotheby's has absolute discretion to refuse admission to the live auction. Bidders who wish to bid in person must complete a Paddle Registration Form and supply such information and references as required by Sotheby's. Bidders act as principal unless they have Sotheby's prior written consent to bid as agent for another party. Bidders are personally liable for their bid and are jointly and severally liable with their principal if bidding as agent.

(b) Where available, telephone bids are offered as an additional service for no extra charge, at the Bidder's risk and shall be undertaken with reasonable care subject to Sotheby's other commitments at the time of the live auction; Sotheby’s therefore cannot accept liability for failure to place such bids save where such failure is unreasonable. Telephone bids may be recorded.

(c) Online bids are made subject to the Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Bidding (published below) and available on www.sothebys.com or via the Sotheby's App which apply which apply in relation to bids submitted via an Online Platform, in addition to these Conditions of Business.

6.  Conduct of the Auction

(a) Unless otherwise specified, all lots are offered subject to a Reserve, which shall be no higher than the low presale estimate at the start of the live auction.

(b) The auctioneer has absolute discretion at any time to refuse or accept any bid, withdraw any lot, re-offer a lot for sale (including after the fall of the hammer), and take such other action as he reasonably thinks fit.

(c) During the live auction, the auctioneer will commence and advance the bidding at levels and in increments he considers appropriate and is entitled to place a bid or series of bids on behalf of the Seller up to the Reserve on the lot, without indicating he is doing so and whether or not other bids are placed.

(d) Subject to Condition 6(b), the contract between the Buyer and the Seller is concluded on the striking of the auctioneer's hammer, whereupon the Buyer becomes liable to pay the Purchase Price.

(e) Any post-auction sale of lots offered at auction shall incorporate these Conditions as if sold in the live auction.

7.  Payment and Collection

(a) Unless otherwise agreed, payment of the Purchase Price for a lot and any Buyer's Expenses are due in Hong Kong dollars immediately on conclusion of the live auction (the "Due Date") notwithstanding any requirements for export, import or other permits for such lot. 

(b) Title in a purchased lot will not pass until Sotheby's has received the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses for that lot in cleared funds. Sotheby's is not obliged to release a lot to the Buyer until title in the lot has passed and appropriate identification has been provided, and any earlier release does not affect the passing of title or the Buyer's unconditional obligation to pay the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses.

(c) The Buyer is obliged to arrange collection of purchased lots no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date of the live auction. Purchased lots are at the Buyer's risk (and therefore their sole responsibility for insurance) from the earliest of i) collection or ii) the thirty-first calendar day after the auction. Until risk passes, Sotheby’s will compensate the Buyer for any loss or damage to the lot up to a maximum of the Purchase Price paid. Buyers should note that Sotheby's assumption of liability for loss or damage is subject to the exclusions set out in Condition 6 of the Conditions of Business for Sellers.

8.  Remedies for non-payment

Without prejudice to any rights the Seller may have, if the Buyer without prior agreement fails to make payment in full for the lot within five days of the live auction, or in accordance with any payment schedule agreed with Sotheby’s, Sotheby's may in its sole discretion (having informed the Seller) exercise one or more of the following remedies:

(a) store the lot at its premises or elsewhere at the Buyer’s sole risk and expense;

(b) terminate the contract of the sale of the lot, retaining the right to damages for the Buyer’s breach of contract;

(c) set off any amounts owed to the Buyer by a Sotheby’s Company against (i) any amounts owed to Sotheby's by the Buyer in respect of the lot, and/or (ii) any shortfall in the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses in the event of a resale under Condition 8(h) below (on a pro-rata basis where more than one lot is purchased by the Buyer at the auction and is then resold), and/or (iii) any claim by Sotheby's against the Buyer for damages for the Buyer's breach of contract (including but not limited to the Buyer's Premium and Overhead Premium in the event of a termination of the sale contract);

(d) apply as Sotheby’s sees fit any payments, including deposits, made by or on behalf of the Buyer in respect of this transaction or otherwise, towards (i) any costs, Buyer’s Expenses or debts owed by the Buyer to any Sotheby’s Company , and/or (ii) any shortfall in the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses in the event of a resale under Condition 8(h) below (on a pro-rata basis where more than one lot is purchased by the Buyer at the auction and is then resold), and/or (iii) any claim by Sotheby's against the Buyer for damages for the Buyer's breach of contract (including but not limited to the Buyer's Premium and Overhead Premium in the event of a termination of the sale contract). For the avoidance of doubt, if more than one lot is purchased by the Buyer at the auction and the Buyer makes a partial payment but fails to pay in full the Purchase Price of all lots purchased by him within five days of the auction or in accordance with any payment schedule agreed with Sotheby's, Sotheby's is entitled, at its absolute discretion, to reject any instruction or request that the whole or a part of such partial payment be applied towards the Purchase Price of, and/or the shortfall and/or Sotheby's claim for damages in respect of, any particular lot(s) purchased by the Buyer;

(e) reject future bids from the Buyer or render such bids subject to payment of a deposit; such deposit to be applied at Sotheby’s discretion in the event of subsequent non-payment or late payment;

(f)  charge interest at a rate not exceeding 2% per month from the Due Date to the date the Purchase Price and relevant Buyer's Expenses are received in cleared funds;

(g) exercise a lien over any of the Buyer’s property which is in the possession of a Sotheby’s Company. Sotheby's shall inform the Buyer of the exercise of any such lien and within 14 days of such notice may arrange the sale of such property and apply the proceeds to the amount owed to Sotheby’s, and/or any shortfall in the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses in the event of a resale under Condition 8(h) below (on a pro-rata basis where more than one lot is purchased by the Buyer at the auction and is then resold), and/or any claim by Sotheby's against the Buyer for damages for the Buyer's breach of contract (including but not limited to the Buyer's Premium and Overhead Premium in the event of a termination of the sale contract);

(h) resell the lot by auction or private sale, with estimates and reserves at Sotheby's discretion. In the event such resale is for less than the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses for that lot, the Buyer will remain liable for the shortfall together with all costs incurred in such resale;

(i)  commence legal proceedings to recover the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses for that lot, or to claim damages for the Buyer’s breach of contract, together with interest and the costs of such proceedings on a full indemnity basis; or

(j)  release the name and address of the Buyer to the Seller to enable the Seller to commence legal proceedings to recover the amounts due or claim damages for the Buyer’s breach of contract and legal costs. Sotheby's will take reasonable steps to notify the Buyer prior to releasing such details to the Seller.

9.   Bidder’s and/or Buyer’s Warranties

(a) The Bidder and/or Buyer warrants that:

(i) the Bidder and/or Buyer is not subject to trade sanctions, embargoes or any other restriction on trade in the jurisdiction in which it does business as well as under the laws of Hong Kong, the European Union, the laws of England and Wales, or the laws and regulations of the United States, and is not owned (nor partly owned) or controlled by such sanctioned person(s) (collectively, “Sanctioned Person(s)”); and

(ii) the funds used for purchase and settlement of the lot(s) are not connected with nor have any link to nor are derived from any criminal activity, including without limitation tax evasion, money laundering, terrorist activities or other criminal activity, and the Bidder/Buyer is neither under investigation, nor has been charged with or convicted of without limitation, tax evasion, money laundering, terrorist activities or other criminal activity.

(b) Where the Bidder is bidding on behalf of another person or acting as agent (in either case, for the purposes of this Condition 9(b), the “Agent”) for another party (the “Principal(s)”), the Agent warrants in its own capacity (in addition to the warranties set out in Condition 9(a)) that:

(i) the Principal(s) is not a Sanctioned Person(s) nor owned (or partly owned) or controlled by Sanctioned Person(s);

(ii) the funds used for purchase and settlement of the lot(s) are not connected with, nor have any link to any criminal activity, including without limitation tax evasion, money laundering, terrorist activities or other criminal activity and that the arrangements between the Agent and the Principal(s) of the lot(s) or otherwise do not, in whole or in part facilitate tax crimes;

(iii)          the lot(s) purchased by the Agent or the Principal(s) is not being purchased for the purposes of, or being used in any way connected with, or to facilitate breaches of any applicable tax, anti-money laundering or anti-terrorism laws or regulations; 

(iv)          the Agent has conducted appropriate customer due diligence on the Principal(s) of the lot(s) in accordance with all applicable anti-money laundering and sanctions laws and regulations and the Agent does not know and has no reason to suspect that the funds used for settlement are derived from or connected with proceeds of any criminal activity including without limitation tax evasion, or that the ultimate buyer(s) is under investigation, or has been charged with or convicted of money laundering, terrorist activities or other criminal activity; and

(v) the Agent consents to Sotheby’s relying on the Agent’s customer due diligence, and the Agent will retain for a period of not less than 5 years the documentation evidencing the Agent’s customer due diligence. The Agent will make such documentation promptly available for immediate inspection by an independent third-party auditor upon Sotheby’s written request to do so.

(c) The Bidder and/or Buyer hereby undertakes and warrants that none of the funds used for purchase and settlement will be funded by any Sanctioned Person(s), nor will any party involved in the transaction including financial institutions, freight forwarders or other forwarding agents or any other party be a Sanctioned Person(s) nor owned (or partly owned) or controlled by a Sanctioned Person(s), unless such activity is authorized in writing by the government authority having jurisdiction over the transaction or in applicable law or regulation.

(d) Sotheby’s reserves the right to seek identification of the source of funds received, and to make enquiries about any person transacting with Sotheby’s. If Sotheby’s has not completed its enquiries in respect of anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing or other checks as it considers appropriate concerning the Bidder and/or Buyer or the Seller to Sotheby’s satisfaction at its discretion, Sotheby’s shall be entitled either not to complete or to cancel the sale of any lot, as appropriate, and to take any further action required or permitted under applicable law without any liability to the Bidder and/or Buyer. 

10. Failure to collect purchases

(a) If the Buyer pays the Purchase Price and Buyer's Expenses but fails to collect a purchased lot within thirty calendar days of the live auction, the lot will be stored at the Buyer's expense (and risk) at Sotheby's or with a third party.

(b) If a purchased lot is paid for but not collected within six months of the live auction, the Buyer authorises Sotheby's, having given notice to the Buyer, to arrange a resale of the item by auction or private sale, with estimates and reserves at Sotheby's discretion. The proceeds of such sale, less all costs incurred by Sotheby's, will be forfeited unless collected by the Buyer within two years of the original auction.

11. Export and Permits

It is the Buyer's sole responsibility to identify and obtain any necessary export, import, firearm, endangered species or other permit for the lot and to complete any required export or import manifest, list or documentation. Any symbols or notices published in respect of the lot reflect Sotheby’s reasonable opinion at the time of cataloguing and offer Bidders general guidance only. Without prejudice to Conditions 3 and 4 above, Sotheby's and the Seller make no representations or warranties as to whether any lot is or is not subject to export or import restrictions or any embargoes. The denial of any permit or licence shall not justify cancellation or rescission of the sale contract or any delay in payment. We shall not be responsible for any liability arising from any failure to complete or submit the required export or import manifest, list or documentation.

12. General

(a) All images and other materials produced for the auction are the copyright of Sotheby's, for use at Sotheby's discretion.

(b) Notices to Sotheby's should be in writing and addressed to the department in charge of the sale, quoting the reference number of the sale. Notices to Sotheby's clients shall be addressed to the last address formally notified by them to Sotheby's.

(c) Should any provision of these Conditions of Business be held unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

(d) These Conditions of Business are not assignable by any Buyer without Sotheby's prior written consent, but are binding on Buyers' successors, assigns and representatives. No act, omission or delay by Sotheby's shall be deemed a waiver or release of any of its rights.

(e) The materials listed in Condition 1(a) above set out the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. It is agreed that, save in respect of liability for fraudulent misrepresentation, no party has entered into any contract pursuant to these terms in reliance on any representation, warranty or undertaking which is not expressly referred to in such materials.

13. Data Protection

Sotheby’s will hold and process the Buyer’s personal information and may share it with another Sotheby’s Group Company for use as described in, and in line with, Sotheby’s Privacy Policy published on Sotheby’s website at www.sothebys.com or available on request by email to enquiries@sothebys.com. You consent to Sotheby’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal data in accordance with Sotheby’s Privacy Policy.

14. Law and Jurisdiction

Governing Law These Conditions of Business and all aspects of all matters, transactions or disputes to which they relate or apply (including any online bids in the sale to which these Conditions apply) shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Hong Kong law.

Jurisdiction For the benefit of Sotheby’s, all Bidders and Sellers agree that the Hong Kong Courts are to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle all disputes arising in connection with all aspects of all matters or transactions to which these Conditions of Business relate or apply. All parties agree that Sotheby’s shall retain the right to bring proceedings in any court other than the Hong Kong Courts.

Service of Process All Bidders and Sellers irrevocably consent to service of process or any other documents in connection with proceedings in any court by facsimile transmission, personal service, delivery by mail or in any other manner permitted by Hong Kong law, the law of the place of service or the law of the jurisdiction where proceedings are instituted, at the last address of the Buyer or Seller known to Sotheby’s or any other usual address.

May 2021

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ONLINE BIDDING

The following terms and conditions (the “Online Terms”) provide important information related to online bidding on sothebys.com or via the Sotheby's App (each, an "Online Platform" and together, the “Online Platforms”). These Online Terms are in addition to and subject to the same law which governs our standard Conditions of Business for Sellers, Conditions of Business for Buyers, the authenticity guarantee and any other terms that are applicable to the relevant sale (together “Conditions of Business”), and are not intended in any way to replace them. By participating in this sale via any Online Platform, you acknowledge that you are bound by the Conditions of Business applicable in the relevant sale and by these Online Terms.

Advance Bidding

1.     In the case of certain auctions, bidders can bid in advance of the live auction through an Online Platform ("Advance Bids"). In order to do so, you must register an account with Sotheby's and provide requested information. You may bid at or above the starting bid displayed on the relevant Online Platform. Please note that Sotheby's reserves the right to amend the starting bid prior to the start of the live auction.

You may also input a maximum bid which, upon confirmation, will be executed automatically up to this predefined maximum value, in response to other bids, including bids placed by Sotheby's on behalf of the seller, up to the amount of the reserve (if applicable). Please note that reserves may be set at any time before the start of the live auction and your maximum bid may be executed against the reserve once such reserve is set. Bids placed by Sotheby's on behalf of the seller, up to the amount of the reserve, will be counted towards the total bid count displayed on the Online Platform.

The current leading bid will be visible to all bidders; the value and status of your maximum bid will be visible only to you unless it is the leading bid. If the status of your bid changes, you will receive notifications via email and push (if you have the Sotheby’s App installed) leading up to the live auction. You may raise your maximum bid at any time in advance of the live auction. Once the live auction begins, the auctioneer will open bidding at the current leading bid. The system will continue to bid on your behalf up to your predetermined maximum bid, or you may continue to bid via an Online Platform during the live auction at the next increment. You may nevertheless lower your maximum bid prior to the live auction by contacting Sotheby’s, except that you may not lower it to a level lower than the current leading bid.

Please note that in certain circumstances, clients who have been outbid may be reinstated as the leading bidder and will receive notification via email or push (if enabled on your device).

Live Online Bidding

2.    Once it commences, a live auction is by its nature fast-moving and bidding may progress very quickly. The procedure for placing bids during the live auction is therefore a one-step process; as soon as the “Place Bid” button is clicked, a bid is submitted. By bidding online, you accept and agree that bids submitted in this way are final and that you may not be permitted to amend or retract your bid. If a successful bid is sent to Sotheby’s from an Online Platform using your Sotheby’s account, you irrevocably agree to pay the full purchase price, including buyer’s premium, overhead premium and all applicable taxes and other applicable charges. You may nevertheless lower your maximum bid prior to the live auction by contacting Sotheby’s, except that you may not lower it to a level lower than the current leading bid.

3.    The next bidding increment is shown for your convenience. The auctioneer has discretion to vary increments for bidders in the auction room and on the telephone but bidders using Online Platforms to bid may not be able to place a bid in an amount other than a whole bidding increment. All bidding for the sale will be in the domestic currency of the sale location, and online bidders will not be able to see the currency conversion board that may be displayed in the auction room.

General use of an Online Platform.

4.     By bidding via an Online Platform, you accept and agree that bids submitted in this way are final and that you may not be permitted to amend or retract your bid. If a successful bid is sent to Sotheby’s from an Online Platform using your Sotheby’s account, you irrevocably agree to pay the full purchase price, including buyer’s premium, overhead premium and all applicable taxes and other applicable charges.

5.     The record of sale kept by Sotheby’s will be taken as absolute and final in all disputes. In the event of a discrepancy between any online records or messages provided to you and the record of sale kept by Sotheby’s, the record of sale will govern.

6.     Online bidders are responsible for making themselves aware of all saleroom notices and announcements which will be accessible on the Online Platforms. 

7.     Sotheby’s reserves the right to refuse or revoke permission to bid via Online Platforms and to remove bidding privileges during a sale.

8.     The purchase information shown in the “My Bids” section of the Sotheby's App and in the "Account Activity" section of "My Account" on sothebys.com is provided for your convenience only. Successful bidders will be notified and invoiced after the sale. In the event of any discrepancy between the online purchase information which may or may not be shown in the My Bids section and the invoice sent to you by Sotheby’s following the sale, the invoice prevails. Terms and conditions for payment and collection of property remain the same regardless of how the winning bid was submitted.

9.     Sotheby’s offers online bidding as a convenience to our clients. Sotheby’s is not responsible for any errors or failures to execute bids placed online, including, without limitation, errors or failures caused by (i) a loss of connection to the internet or to the online bidding software by either Sotheby’s or the client; (ii) a breakdown or problems with the online bidding software; or (iii) a breakdown or problems with a client’s internet connection, computer or electronic device. Sotheby’s is not responsible for any failure to execute an online bid or for any errors or omissions in connection therewith.

10.   Online bidding will be recorded.

11.   In the event of any conflict between theses Online Terms and Sotheby’s Conditions of Business and the terms of Sotheby’s Authenticity Guarantee, Sotheby’s Conditions of Business and Authenticity Guarantee will control.

SOTHEBY’S AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE FOR WINE: If Sotheby’s sells any wine which the Buyer subsequently shows to Sotheby’s reasonable satisfaction to be a “counterfeit”, subject to the terms below Sotheby’s will set aside the sale and refund to the Buyer the total amount paid by the Buyer to Sotheby’s for such wine, in the currency of the original sale.

For these purposes, “counterfeit” means a wine that in Sotheby’s reasonable opinion is an imitation created to deceive as to producer and vintage, where the correct description of the producer and vintage is not reflected by the description in the catalogue.

The Guarantee is provided for a period of twenty-one (21) days from the date of the relevant auction, is solely for the benefit of the original Buyer of record and may not be transferred to any third party.

To be able to claim under this Guarantee, the Buyer must:

(i) notify Sotheby’s in writing within such 21 day period of the reasons for believing the wine to be counterfeit, specifying the lot number, date of the auction at which it was purchased; and

(ii) return the item to Sotheby’s at the original selling location in the same condition as at the date of sale to the Buyer and be able to transfer good title to the lot, free from any third party claims arising after the date of the sale. Sotheby’s has discretion to waive any of the above requirements. Sotheby’s may require the Buyer to obtain at the Buyer’s cost the reports of two independent and recognised experts in the field, mutually acceptable to Sotheby’s and the Buyer.

Sotheby’s shall not be bound by any reports produced by the Buyer, and reserves the right to seek additional expert advice at its own expense.

In the event Sotheby’s decides to rescind the sale under this Guarantee, it may refund to the Buyer the reasonable costs of up to two mutually approved independent expert reports. Subject to the above, in the event that Sotheby’s determines that the Property is “counterfeit”, as the Buyer’s sole remedy Sotheby’s will rescind the sale and the seller will return the purchase price for the lot to the Buyer. Neither Sotheby’s nor the seller shall be liable for any incidental or consequential damages incurred or claimed, including without limitation, loss of profits or interest.