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Lot Descriptions

Certificates of Attribution!

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A recent painting listed at auction stated that the successful bidder would receive a Certificate of Attribution. Really? What does this mean? My recommendation? THINK TWICE BEFORE BIDDING!

When purchasing artworks you may wish to read the following information which is readily available on several websites:

This is the conventional way of describing the relation between the artist and the work of art.

  1. Pablo Picasso: The auction house believes this is an original work by the artist
  2. Pablo Picasso (replica): The auction house believes that the artist him/herself made this work as a replica of their own, previous original.
  3. Pablo Picasso (attributed to): The auction house finds it likely that this is an original work, but is not prepared to guarantee this.
  4. Pablo Picasso (his studio): The auction house believes that the work was made in the artist’s studio and possibly under their supervision.
  5. Pablo Picasso (his circle): The auction house believes that the work was made by another artist but during the lifetime of the named artist and in their manner.
  6. Pablo Picasso (follower of): The auction house believes that the work was done in the manner of the named artist, during their lifetime or later.
  7. Pablo Picasso (in the manner of): The auction house believes that the work is done in the manner of the named artist but after their lifetime.
  8. Pablo Picasso (after): The auction house believes that the work was made by another artist, based on an original work by the named artist.

Research! Research! Research!

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Recently I discovered a vase at auction at Salle de Ventes Saint-Job in Belgium described as “Vase Art-Déco: Grès émaillé vert, décor en relief d’un couple de sirènes, monogrammé sous la base RB, H: 30, diam: 26 cm“, which translates to “Art Deco Vase: Green enameled sandstone, relief decoration with a couple of mermaids, monogrammed under the base RB, H: 30, diam: 26 cm”. The vase had an auction estimate of 300-400 Euros. The vase was similar to a vase that I had seen by Rene Buthaud so I decided to research further… It could be an amazing find!

Green Vase Sold as Rene Buthaud

                                               A Vase by Rene Buthaud???

According to icollector.com the same identical green vase sold at Wright Auctions for $4,750 + $950 commission on October 10, 2006 as “Rene Buthaud vase, France, c. 1940, glazed stoneware, 10” wide x 12” high. Incised signature to underside: [RB].” So far so good!

The same identical green vase sold again as Rene Buthaud at Treadway Toomey Auctions for $2900 + commission on December 02, 2007 according to LiveAuctioneers.com. Quite promising!

I then found a quite similar vase in cream sold at Heritage Auctions for $4,250 (including buyer’s premium) on October 24, 2017. However, the height was 10-1/4” (25cm).   And the signature is correct for Rene Buthaud.

Rene Buthaud Vase Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auction Buthaud Vase Signature 2

Despite being sold at Wright Auctions and Treadway Toomey Auctions, two reputable auction houses, the green vase still did not appear quite correct.

The typical Rene Buthaud signature or monogram is in black ink, not incised. However, Etienne Tournier at the Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design in Bordeaux, France confirmed that the museum has a few Rene Buthaud pieces in their collection which are indeed inscribed.

Upon closer inspection I detected subtle and not so subtle differences between the vases produced by Rene Buthaud and this passable forgery. The vase “almost” appears that is from the same mold, but in that case the vases should be identical!

The Buthaud is more precisely executed and has sharper incised details.  For example, compare the wavelike hair on both vases. The forgery is crude. The coloration and application of the glaze does not appear correct for Rene Buthaud.

The 1940 date noted in the Wright Auction does not correlate with the description in the reference Rene Buthaud 1886-1986 by Pierre Cruege, which on pages 84-85 dates two similar vases (obviously the prototype for this now apparent forgery) as 1922-1923. The height is listed as 25,5 cm (instead of 30cm). The height is correct for the vase sold at Heritage Auctions.

Pierre Cruege Reference Rene Buthaud
Reference Buthaud by Pierre Cruege

Alas, that was not the vase I hoped for…

I do very much appreciate the Salles de Ventes Saint-Job auction house for the accurate lot description which led me on this educational journey!

Tips For Acquiring Art From France

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Understanding a few key French phrases is paramount to bidding on and purchasing paintings from France. Here are a few terms that auction houses may provide to guide a potential bidder. Please feel free to share your tips as well.

“Entourage de” translates to “in the circle of”. For example if lot description of a painting refers to “entourage de Camille Corot”. In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

“DLG” is an initialism for “dans le gout”. This is similar to “entourage de” meaning “in the manner or style of” an artist.

“Huile sur toile” or “HST” is “oil on canvas”.

“Huile sur papier contrecollé sur panneau” is “oil on paper attached to a panel”.

“Aquarelle” is a watercolor or gouache.

“Nettoyer” is dirty. I often inquire if there is surface grime on the painting which would require that the painting be cleaned after purchase.

“Craquelure” is is the fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of materials and can be induced by drying, aging, intentional patterning, or a combination of all three.

“Salissures & taches d’humidité” refers to “dirt and moisture stains” which may be present on a lithograph, watercolor or print.

“Déchirure” is a tear which may be present on a canvas, lithograph, watercolor or print.

The Importance of Lot Descriptions

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Each item at auction is referred to as a lot. The description of each lot is of paramount concern for the online bidder. Some auction houses describe the condition of each lot, but most do not.  In many cases, if there is no damage, the auction house does not add the condition of the lot, choosing only to communicate any damage. Other auction houses fail to disclose damages. This is a definite advantage to attending an auction and personally inspecting each lot and a serious disadvantage to the online bidder. In the event you are the successful bidder and the lot has damages not disclosed in the description, it is your misfortune. The terms and condition of each auction house clearly state that it is the responsibility of the bidder to assess the lot condition prior to bidding. Returns are rarely accepted.

TIP: Contact the auction house prior to bidding and request a condition report. The condition report typically states that the item is in good condition and notes and damage. Additional photos, often high-resolution, are frequently provided so that you can inspect the lot more carefully.