Auktionshaus Mette

Owner: Stephanie Mette-Ernst
Appraiser of Art and Antiques. Gemstone and Diamond Expert,
Certified Expert, Auctioneer
Lehmweg 55, 20251 Hamburg – Eppendorf

Consignment Conditions

  1. The auction house Mette (hereinafter: the “Auctioneer”) acts as a commercial agent and auctions items in the name and for the account of the consignor (“Consignor”).
  2. The Consignor warrants that the consigned objects are his unencumbered property or that he is duly authorised to dispose of them. He is liable for the accuracy of his statements regarding the authenticity, provenance, and age of the consigned objects. The Auctioneer is authorised to decide, at its sole discretion and with binding effect on the Consignor, on any complaints raised by buyers concerning defects.
  3. The reserve prices specified are the starting prices in the auction. The Consignor receives the hammer price less an auction commission (seller’s commission) of 20% plus statutory VAT. After the auction, unsold objects may be sold by private treaty at the reserve price. If objects are not sold within six months following the relevant auction, or are not collected after written request, the Auctioneer reserves the right to re-offer them in a subsequent auction at a reduction of 30%.
  4. The auction settlement will be rendered six to eight weeks after the auction, subject to payment having been received from the successful bidder.
  5. Where the statutory requirements of § 26 German Copyright Act are met, a resale royalty of 4% of the sale proceeds will be charged.
  6. Should the Consignor withdraw the objects prior to the first auction, he shall pay the Auctioneer a fee of 25% of the reserve price plus VAT. The Consignor may provide evidence that the Auctioneer has incurred no costs or loss at all, or substantially less than the lump-sum amount. If the Auctioneer has incurred higher costs, these must be reimbursed.
  7. The liability of the Auctioneer is excluded, unless the Auctioneer, its representatives, agents, or vicarious agents are guilty of intent or gross negligence. This limitation of liability does not apply to damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health caused by negligent or intentional breach of duty, nor does it apply to breaches of cardinal obligations (obligations essential for achieving the purpose of the contract), or to damages caused by delay.
  8. Gold and silver objects may be auctioned below their metal value.
  9. Place of jurisdiction and performance for transactions between merchants is Hamburg. German law shall apply.
  10. Following conclusion of the contract, Consignors and buyers may obtain the address of their contractual counterpart.
  11. Should any of the foregoing provisions be or become wholly or partially invalid, the validity of the consignment contract shall remain unaffected.

    Version as of: 09/2025