Sales calendar

The calendar makes it possible to know major sales in advance, plan travel and follow activity by region. Authorities use it to spot sales of objects flagged in BIOP alerts.

It contributes to market transparency, one of the Organisation's objectives, without ever replacing the information provided by the auction houses.

Approved auction houses declare their sales via the Desk, at least thirty days before the scheduled date. The declaration specifies the place, the date, the category of objects and the catalogue where there is one.

Fair organisers declare their annual calendar. The information is verified, then published within 48 hours on an indicative basis.

Listing in the calendar is not a certification: it attests neither to the authenticity of the objects nor to the quality of the sale. Buyers are still encouraged to ask for provenance documents and to consult the BIOP registry.

Approved auction houses have, however, signed up to a due diligence commitment, compliance with which is monitored.

The calendar can be browsed by date, by region, by category — painting, contemporary art, tribal art, furniture — and by type of sale. An email subscription makes it possible to receive new entries for a segment.

A map view and an export in iCal format make it easy to add entries to a personal calendar.

When an object reported as stolen appears in a catalogue, the auction house is contacted and the sale of the object is suspended. The calendar indicates the suspension without giving third parties the reason.

Anyone who notices an anomaly may report it to the address of the Events Directorate.