What are live auctions?

The live auctions are held in our auction room in Berne.

How can I participate in the live auctions?

A prerequisite for participation in the live auctions is the submission of the completed initial bidder registration form. Please allow some time for this and contact us if you have any queries.
You can participate in the hall auctions in person. If you are absent, you can also bid by telephone or online via "Live Bidding". Furthermore, you can place a written order before the auction.

Are the live auction sales public?

Yes, our auctions are public, under state control and supervised and certified by a Bernese notary public. By your participation you accept our Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

How can I personally participate in the live auction?

Bidders who attend the auction in person have to identify themselves in good time before the auction by showing an official identity document and drawing a bidder number. For this purpose, they must fill in a floor participation form or bring it with them already filled in.
You can enter the auction room at any time. You can only participate, however, if you have a valid bidder number.
A seat reservation is required for the main auction on Friday afternoon. Please register in time by telephone or e-mail.

How does bidding by telephone work?

Bidders wishing to participate in the live auction by telephone should register at myKORNFELD on our website or send us the bid form for phone by post or e-mail.
The order must be received by Kornfeld Gallery no later than 6pm on the day before the respective auction. The order must be signed and contain sufficient information about the artworks including catalogue numbers, as well as the telephone numbers where you can be reached during the auction. You will be called by us during the hall auction and can then bid over the phone. See Terms and conditions for buyers.

What is a written bid?

Bidders wishing to submit a written order for the live auction should register at myKORNFELD on our website or send us the Bid form for written bids by post or e-mail.
The order must reach Kornfeld Gallery no later than 6 pm on the day before the respective auction. The order must be signed and contain sufficient information on the artworks including catalogue numbers. On the form you indicate the maximum amount bid in CHF. At the auction, your bid will be exhausted in bidding increments only to the extent that you remain the highest bidder or highest bidder.
If several written orders are received with the same maximum bid and this is not outbid at the auction, the bid that we receive first will be accepted. See Terms and conditions for buyers

Can I bid online «Live-Internet»?

To participate in «Live Bidding» you must register online in good time and have your account activated.
It is not enough to register with myKORNFELD. You must register separately for «Live Bidding».

Can I follow the live auction via live stream?

The live auctions are broadcast via live stream. The link to the live stream will be posted on the homepage of the website on the day of the auction.
Please note that there may be a slight time delay in image transmission.

Can someone else bid for me?

Yes, but this person must have a written authorisation from you, which must be received by us before the auction. This applies to both in-hall bids and telephone orders. The person bidding is personally liable with his/her bid, even if he/she announces that he/she is acting on behalf of a third party when obtaining the bidder's number or when placing the order.
See auction conditions.

How do I know when a particular lot is called?

The approximate call time of the individual lots can be found in our online catalogue in the detailed view of the individual catalogue number.

How can I find specific artists in the online catalogue?

On our website you will find the search function at the top right, marked by a magnifying glass symbol. If you click on it, a window opens in which you can search for artists, lot numbers or in the text search for the titles of the works.

When and where can I view the artworks?

All artworks can be viewed during our auction exhibition in Bern. You can find the dates here. Our Online catalogue also offers you the possibility to see detailed photographs of the artworks.