Catalog practice
Estimate Prices
The estimates found within Tarisio’s catalogs have been determined by Tarisio’s specialists and are based upon authorship, condition, quality of example, rarity, and provenance. Estimates are intended to reflect past auction prices and current market trends.
As a courtesy, estimates are provided in Euros in addition to US Dollars (New York sales) and in US Dollars in addition to Pounds Sterling (London sales). These estimates are calculated on the latest conversion rate available at the time of the printing of each catalog and are for approximation purposes only. All bids, consignor reserves, invoicing, and payments will be conducted in US Dollars for New York sales and Pounds Sterling for London sales.
Catalog Descriptions
The items in Tarisio’s auctions are cataloged according to the following terms:
- Fine: of exceptional materials and/or workmanship
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Important: of historically significant provenance or authorship
- Good: of good quality materials and workmanship
- Rare: a work of high quality that is unique or unusual or difficult to find
- Interesting: a work that invites speculation but lacks a definite attribution
Attributions and Authorship
Authorship is described in the following ways:
- By Antonio Stradivari: The authors of this catalog believe in their best judgment that this work was made by this maker and guarantee it to be so.
- Attributed to Antonio Stradivari: A work believed to be by this maker by popular consensus or past opinion, but not necessarily by the authors of this catalog.
- Ascribed to Antonio Stradivari: A work believed to be by this maker in the opinion of the authors of the accompanying certificates or letters, but not necessarily by the authors of this catalog.
- Probably (or possibly) by Antonio Stradivari: A work about which there is divided opinion.
- Under the direction of Antonio Stradivari: A work executed under the guidance of and with the direct involvement of this maker.
- Workshop of Antonio Stradivari: A work executed in the style of this maker, most probably under his supervision and with his involvement.
- School of Antonio Stradivari: The work of a follower of the maker or region stated.
- Labeled (or stamped, branded) Antonio Stradivari: An instrument not necessarily the work of the maker stated but labeled or branded as such.
Late Additions
Several days before the first viewing, a number of lots added to the sale after publication of the catalog may be added to the web catalog. These late additions will be listed in an addendum distributed at the viewing and may be seen both at the viewing and online.
The Online Catalog
Tarisio’s online catalogs provide high-resolution, color reference photographs and descriptions of all lots in a sale. Instruments are displayed at a maximum resolution of 1,500 x 2,500 pixels.
Condition Reports
Condition descriptions are not supplied in Tarisio’s catalogs. However, bidders should not assume that the absence of condition descriptions implies that a lot is free from damage, repairs, faults or imperfections. Prospective buyers are encouraged to thoroughly inspect lots in which they are interested at Tarisio’s pre-sale viewings. Solely as a convenience to bidders, Tarisio will provide detailed written condition reports upon request and deliver them by fax, email, or in person, but not verbally by telephone or otherwise. Tarisio’s condition reports are prepared as accurately and comprehensively as possible; however, in no way do they express or imply warranties of any kind on the part of Tarisio or its specialists. Please allow several days for condition reports to be prepared.
Certificates, Letters and other Documents
If a lot is to be sold with certificates of authenticity, letters, or other documents, this is noted in the catalog description before the estimate amounts. The dates of old certificates and papers are noted in the catalog; those of contemporary certificates are not. When a lot indicates “sold with a certificate to be issued by...” the named expert has examined the lot and will issue a certificate at no charge to the successful bidder. When it is noted “certificate available from...” this indicates that a certificate of authenticity can be purchased for a certain fee to be arranged directly with the named expert.
