Before you place a work in our hands, you should know how we work: what a valuation costs, who is liable for what and when, which records the law requires, and when money moves.
What we take on
We purchase and broker works of fine art — painting, prints, photography, sculpture and editions. Whether an object is of interest to us depends on attribution, condition, provenance and the state of the market; there is also a minimum value, which we will name on request.
If a work does not fit our programme, we say so openly and give reasons for our assessment. Often we can then point you to another route or a suitable address. A refusal costs you nothing.
Valuation: free and without obligation
The initial assessment via our form is free and commits you to nothing. For objects that fall into one of our selling categories and reach the minimum value, you will as a rule receive the valuation within 3–4 weeks. If your matter is time-critical, please approach us directly.
A valuation is not a guaranteed selling price. It describes what appears realistic on the market at the time of assessment. Written appraisals for insurance, estate or tax purposes are prepared separately — for a fee that is fixed beforehand.
Terms and costs
We discuss terms as soon as you decide on a sale with arthene. Commission, cost sharing and duration are set down in writing before handover — with no hidden items. What is not in the contract we do not invoice.
Whether a work goes to auction or is sold discreetly through our network is something we decide together with you. We recommend the route that promises the best result for your object — the decision is yours.
Handover, transport and liability
Every handover is recorded in writing: work, condition, dimensions, photographs, date. You receive a receipt — it is your proof for as long as the object is in our care.
Transport and insurance are agreed with you before handover and set down in the contract: who is responsible for which leg, and for what sum the work is insured. Until it is handed over to us, the work remains your responsibility.
We cannot answer for damage arising from undisclosed prior damage, improper packing or incorrect information about the object.
Provenance, ownership and due diligence
You assure us that you are the owner of the work or otherwise entitled to dispose of it, and that no third-party rights stand in the way. Documents on provenance — invoices, appraisals, exhibition or literature references — help us to place a work and raise its value on the market.
As art dealers we are subject to the duties of care of the German Cultural Property Protection Act (§§ 41 ff. KGSG): we examine provenance and export and keep records of this. For works created or traded before 1945, we additionally examine whether seizure as a result of Nazi persecution may be in question.
Identification and payment
From a transaction value of 10,000 euros, art dealers and art brokers are obliged under the German Money Laundering Act to identify their contracting parties (§ 2 (1) no. 16, §§ 10 ff. GwG). In such a case we ask you for official photo identification and, for companies, additionally for proof of the beneficial owners.
Payment is made by bank transfer to an account in your name — after the buyer’s payment has been received and within the period agreed in the contract.
Artists' resale right
When an original work of fine art is resold with the involvement of the art trade, the author is entitled to a share of the proceeds — the resale right under § 26 UrhG. It applies from a sale price of 400 euros and to works whose authors are living or whose death was less than 70 years ago.
The royalty starts at 4 per cent of the sale price and falls in stages as the proceeds rise; in total no more than 12,500 euros is due per sale. It is settled through VG Bild-Kunst. Who bears the royalty in relation to us is expressly recorded in the contract.
When you buy from us
Purchases are governed by our terms and conditions, by the details on shipping and payment and — for consumers — by the right of withdrawal. Every work is described with its technique, its dimensions and the provenance details known to us.
Illustrations reproduce colour and surface as accurately as photography and screen allow. If you would like to see a work at leisure before buying, do arrange an appointment in Darmstadt.
The legal texts in full
This page summarises how we work. What is binding is the respective contract and the documents below.
As at September 2026. For questions on a specific transaction, what stands in your contract always applies — talk to us, we will explain every clause.
