Selecting Works
To find out what's for sale in the auctions, please visit our Auction Calendar to browse our upcoming sales, or use the interactive digital catalogue to select the works that interest you. SBI’s seasonal auctions are conducted every three months, with special project sales held in between at irregular intervals. There are also hardcopy catalogues with images and descriptions of the lots and/or artists issued along with every auction. A subscription to the catalogue is free for Japan residents.
* For the LIVE STREAM auctions only online catalogue is available. Please browse the online lot descriptions and condition reports provided on our website.
・ Subscribe to a hardcopy catalogue ・ Browse artworks online
Pre-auction Viewings
SBI Art Auction typically installs works for public viewing two or three days before auction. Our staff will be there to answer all questions concerning the artworks. If you are not available to come to the Viewing in person, please do make sure to check all the condition reports for the lots you are bidding on via this website. Detailed image could be provided per request.
* Lots offered in LIVE STREAM auction and wine auction are not available for viewing. Please check the online lot descriptions and condition reports.
First-time Customers
In order to bid in SBI Art Auctions, it is required to verify your identity and credit by signing up as a member. Please provide your full contact details, along with a government issued photo ID and proof of address. In certain cases, a financial reference or a deposit may be required. Please make sure to read the Conditions of Auction and agree with the terms before signing up.
* Customers whose age is under 20 years are not allowed to participate in our wine auction.
Register to Bid
It is required to register in advance before you can place your bids. There are four bidding methods from which to choose. Prospective bidders should complete their registration for every sale they wish to participate in.
A.In Person
To attend an SBI auction and bid in person, you will need to register for a paddle by submitting a registration form and signing the Paddle Issuance Agreement. New customers are encouraged to register 24 hours prior to a sale to allow sufficient time for us to process your information.
*Clients are not able to participate by bidding in the saleroom for lots offered in LIVE STREAM auction.
B.Absentee
① Register via this website to place absentee bidsWhen browsing lots, click on the “Place Bids” button and follow the steps.
※It is required to sign up as a member before this function can be activated.
② Register by submitting your ”Absentee | Telephone Bidding Application”The ”Absentee | Telephone Bidding Application” form is on the last page of every SBI catalogue, and the file can be downloaded below. Please fill in this application form and submit it to us by 5pm (JST) one day before the auction. You should receive confirmation from SBI when your application is accepted.
・ Absentee Bidding Application Form
One of our saleroom representatives will then bid on your behalf and attempt to purchase the lot for you at the lowest price, allowing for other bids and reserves, up to your pre-submitted maximum amount. Bid amounts announced in the saleroom and listed in the form do not include the buyer’s premium or applicable sales tax. In those cases where more than one absentee bidder places the same maximum amount for the same lot, the first bidder who placed the bid shall win the lot.
C.By Telephone
① Register via this website to bid by telephoneWhen browsing lots, click on the “Place Bids” button and follow the steps.
※It is required to sign up as a member before this function can be activated.
② Register via submitting your ”Absentee | Telephone Bidding Application”The ”Absentee | Telephone Bidding Application” form is in the last page of every SBI catalogue, and the file can be downloaded below. Please fill in this application and submit it to us by 5pm (JST) one day before the auction. You should receive confirmation from SBI when your application is accepted.
We will contact you during the sale via the number you provide on the form, and a saleroom representative will bid in real time with you over the phone. Bid amounts do not include the buyer’s premium or applicable sales tax.
※ The saleroom phone lines will be assigned according to the order in which the applications are received. In the event that your application is too late for us to schedule you into the lineup, or in case we cannot reach you by phone during the auction, cover bids can be executed as an absentee if doing so has been indicated beforehand. It is also recommended that you register to watch the Auction Live at the same time.
・ Absentee Bidding Application Form
D.To Bid Live／To Watch the Auction Live
To Bid Live with our online system, it is also required to register for a paddle in advance for each and every sale. Please click on the “Register to Bid” button. Registration will be closed at 5pm (JST) on the day before the actual auction day.
New users need to activate (once-off) their account in this system. It is required that every bidder register to bid beforehand for every sale. As long as your registration to bid has been completed, you will be able to Bid Live during the auction.
*There may be a time lag in the arrival of the data you have clicked on the PLACE BID button (indicating your intention to bid), depending on your device operating system, the web browser, the performance of your device, and the connection environment.
Buyer's Premium
The Successful Bidder will be charged for the winning bid price ("Hammer Price"), Buyer's Premium equivalent to 15.0% of the Hammer Price, and the equivalent amount of the applicable tax charged on Buyer’s Premium (if applicable).
In case you won the Lot for JPY1,000,000
* Bank fees and costs related to shipping are at Successful Bidder's expense.
* In the event that a qualified invoice (as described in the consumption tax law) is to be delivered to the Successful Bidder with respect to the Hammer Price, we will issue such a qualified invoice in accordance with the Special Provisions for Intermediary Delivery (baikaisha-kofu-tokurei). Please inquire for details at the time of transaction.
Payment
Your successful purchases must be paid for in Japanese yen within ten business days from and including the day of the auction. The buyer is responsible for all fees associated with this transaction and all other applicable charges. We kindly ask you to pay only by bank wire transfer.
Delivery of Purchases
Your successful purchases will be transferred to your possession after the payment has been confirmed. You may have them either shipped to you, or come to SBI to pick them up. Please indicate your preference when you fill out the "Delivery Instructions". The charges for the packaging and/or shipping will be billed to the customer accordingly.
* After the specified period, a monthly storage fee of 5,000 yen (excluding tax) will be incurred.
* Please note that we only ship domestic orders and do not arrange international shipping for items purchased at our wine auction.
