An auctioneer at the end of a row of supermarket checkouts. This may seem incongruous, yet it became a reality this weekend in Beauvais (Oise). Anguerran Delépine-Sibille, auctioneer at Aucties, has set up a stand in the Match supermarket to offer customers a free appraisal, “just to know the value of the objects sleeping in their attic”.
“It’s a first in France, assures Louis Le Carréres, director of the Aucties auction house created in Paris in 1977. I have a few colleagues who are starting to go out for expertise, but it’s to settle in castles or halls of prestigious hotels. »
Behind his table, Anguerran Delépine-Sibille confirms. “It’s unusual, no one has ever done that. We clear something and we go to people who would never dare push the door of an auction house. We want to dust off the stuffy image of the auctioneer who is in his ivory tower selling works of art. There are charming objects that have value. »
To democratize the approach, the supermarket was essential. “The principle is simple, people drop off the object while shopping and leave with an expert report,” says Louis Le Carréres. They will also be able to know the history of the treasures they have at home. »
At a time when an object expertise program is a hit every afternoon on a public service channel, the director of Aucties wants to demonstrate that “auctions are an excellent way to do good business. Furniture, works of art, paintings, jewellery, wines and even collector’s vehicles, apart from “philately and colonial art”, everything can be appraised at Aucties.
“The principle of auctioning is another mode of purchase that allows the second-hand market to live, to give a second life to objects, he underlines. For that, even if it makes my colleagues scream, you have to go to people. »
“It’s a marquise ring worth at least 600 euros”
Marie-José, a resident of Beauvais, carries five paintings to be appraised in her cart. “I saw the poster by chance and as I received several objects from an estate, I wanted to know their value and possibly sell them. In the lot, the auctioneer identifies “Egyptian papyri, a Japanese print, a Senegalese sand painting, a painting by a painter from Gerberoy and Greber pots. »
Anguerran Delépine-Sibille estimates the paintings “between 20 euros and 50 euros each” and advises the client to “leave with the Greber pots. “It’s not for the money,” she explains. I don’t want these items to go anywhere. I can’t put it in my house, so if anyone is interested…”
Sylvie in turn presents herself with “a ring from her mother-in-law”. “It’s a marquise ring worth at least 600 euros,” the auctioneer told him.
Jewelery and Baccarat glasses are selling well, oak furniture less
In the context of crisis, some items are selling better than others. “Right now, jewelry is selling very well,” says Anguerran Delépine-Sibille. Gold and pearls are safe havens. Same thing for brands, Baccarat glasses for example, things are going well. On the other hand, all that is furniture, it is better to wait. Beautiful oak furniture that is estimated at 2000 euros is not sold above 500 euros. »
At the end of this first day, around ten people showed up at the Aucties stand. “For a first experience, it’s a good record, assures the professional. A client has made an appointment for an inventory on Monday at his home. Four are going to entrust me with objects. »
Just before closing, Juliette shows up with a lot of family jewels. “The set has a value of more than 2000 euros, indicates the auctioneer. There are two major pieces: an 18-carat yellow gold choker necklace with braided links worth between 800 and 900 euros and a white gold – rose gold brooch with an estimated value of between 400 and 500 euros. These jewels, like all the objects entrusted to the auctioneer, will be sold at the end of April at the beginning of May during an auction at the Hôtel Drouot, in Paris.