The house
1st independent auction house in France*
Aguttes remains independent, with no outside shareholders, and has become over the years a leading French actor in the Art Market. AWith a peak year of 86.5 million euros in sales in 2022**, it confirms its position as European leader. This growth is based on the unchanged values of transparency in intermediation, discretion, rigour and audacity. Founded in Clermont-Ferrand in 1974 by Claude Aguttes, and still a family business with three active children, the firm's team of 60 people is its greatest asset. With its international sales room in the west of Paris and representative offices in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels and Geneva, the firm stands out for its personalised service and reactivity. The internalized experts of 14 departments ensure the valuation and sale of major collections, paintings, objects, jewels and exceptional motorcars. With its strong communication skills and 60% international buyers, the company frequently achieves world records.
Conscious of the trust its sellers have in the company, it remains at their service first.
Share our passion for auctions. Encounter with Claude Aguttes, president and auctioneer
Aguttes remains independent, with no outside shareholders, and has become over the years a leading French actor in the Art Market. AWith a peak year of 86.5 million euros in sales in 2022**, it confirms its position as European leader. This growth is based on the unchanged values of transparency in intermediation, discretion, rigour and audacity. Founded in Clermont-Ferrand in 1974 by Claude Aguttes, and still a family business with three active children, the firm's team of 60 people is its greatest asset. With its international sales room in the west of Paris and representative offices in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels and Geneva, the firm stands out for its personalised service and reactivity. The internalized experts of 14 departments ensure the valuation and sale of major collections, paintings, objects, jewels and exceptional motorcars. With its strong communication skills and 60% international buyers, the company frequently achieves world records.
Conscious of the trust its sellers have in the company, it remains at their service first.
Share our passion for auctions. Encounter with Claude Aguttes, president and auctioneer
Our mission
Each work of art must be defended to the best of its ability on the market. Obtaining the highest possible bidding price is the intrinsic objective of the auction. Our heads of department are personally committed to honouring their clients' trust by guaranteeing their interests and advising them. This is the DNA of our family business. This is our mission.
Expertise
First independent Auction House in France.
49 years of experience.
14 specialised departments at your service to provide you with an adjusted valuation and descriptive expertise.
Each department is headed by an expert recognized in his or her sector, working in collaboration with the greatest international references and with a perfect knowledge of the market.
First independent Auction House in France.
49 years of experience.
14 specialised departments at your service to provide you with an adjusted valuation and descriptive expertise.
Each department is headed by an expert recognized in his or her sector, working in collaboration with the greatest international references and with a perfect knowledge of the market.
International Records
We register a large number of world records thanks to the active participation of a 60% international clientele.
We register a large number of world records thanks to the active participation of a 60% international clientele.
Personalized Guidance
We pay particular attention to each element: the kind of sale, the place, the schedule, the promotion and the communication...
Votre interlocuteur Aguttes est attentif à répondre à vos attentes.
Your personal contact at Aguttes is attentive to your expectations. He will provide you with all the advice you need and will assist you from the valuation to the receipt of your payment at the end of the sale.
We pay particular attention to each element: the kind of sale, the place, the schedule, the promotion and the communication...
Votre interlocuteur Aguttes est attentif à répondre à vos attentes.
Your personal contact at Aguttes is attentive to your expectations. He will provide you with all the advice you need and will assist you from the valuation to the receipt of your payment at the end of the sale.
Culture of Excellence
We select lots for their quality of provenance, their execution and their uniqueness. This selection responds to the demand of the greatest collectors who regularly renew their entrustment to us.
We select lots for their quality of provenance, their execution and their uniqueness. This selection responds to the demand of the greatest collectors who regularly renew their entrustment to us.
Frequency of sales
Each specialised department organises a dedicated sale every three months, allowing you to include your items on the best convenient time.
See Sales schedule
Each specialised department organises a dedicated sale every three months, allowing you to include your items on the best convenient time.
See Sales schedule
ALMOST 50 YEARS OF STORIES AND AUCTIONS
From 1974 to 1995
From Clermont-Ferrand to Neuilly-sur-Seine, Aguttes invests in the west of Paris
Aguttes auction house was created in 1974 in Clermont-Ferrand. In 1986, the international art market came to Auvergne to attend the sale of a fabulous Autoportrait aux bésicles by Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779), sold for 6.6 million FF. In 1995, the company moved to the west of Paris to adjust to the globalisation of the art market. In the center of Neuilly-sur-Seine, in a modern and functional office, the firm has since hosted its expertise and advisory services as well as exhibitions and specialised sales.
From 1996 to 2015
From collection sales to auction records, the company expanded and set up offices in the legendary Gare des Brotteaux in Lyon
In 2012, a sculpture by Edme Bouchardon (1698 - 1762) was pre-empted by the Louvre Museum for 3.7 million euros. In 2015, three paintings by the Chinese artist Sanyu (1901 - 1966) fetched €9.69 million, followed in 2017 by a fourth that fetched €8.8 million. At the same time, the Jewellery department opened a speciality dedicated to Fine Pearls.
2016, Aguttes starts the wonderful adventure: auctioning the Aristophil collections
From 2017 to 2021
The auction house continues to take on more challenges and consolidates its position as the 1st independent auction house in France
In 2016, Aguttes was appointed by the Commercial Court to inventory, conserve and disperse the Aristophil collections. In 2022, the adventure was crowned with success; 335 pre-emptions, including 3 lots classified as National Treasures. Remarkable auctions were held, such as the sale of Les Heures Petau, livre d'heures à l'usage de Rome (circa 1495), for 4.3 million euros. The Manuscript from Einstein and Besso about the Theory of Relativity sold for 11.6 million euros, a world record for an autograph document by Einstein, a world record for a scientific autograph document at auction & the most expensive scientific manuscript ever sold at auction in France.
From 2017 to 2021
The auction house continues to take on more challenges and consolidates its position as the 1st independent auction house in France
In 2018, Aguttes is the first independent auction house to exceed the result of 50 million auctions. In 2018, Aguttes became the first independent auction house to exceed 50 million of auctions. In 2019, it pursues its expansion and sets up offices in Aix-en-Provence and Brussels, to cover major art market hubs. The auction house held exceptional sales, such as the carnivorous theropod on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in 2018.
In 2020, the auction house sold the remarkable collection La mesure des Mondes. More than 2.5 million euros worth of rare objects and scientific instruments were sold.
In 2021, Aguttes organised the Optic 2ooo Tour Auto anniversary sale under the Grand Palais Éphémère de Paris and raised 2.1 million euros.
In 2020, the auction house sold the remarkable collection La mesure des Mondes. More than 2.5 million euros worth of rare objects and scientific instruments were sold.
In 2021, Aguttes organised the Optic 2ooo Tour Auto anniversary sale under the Grand Palais Éphémère de Paris and raised 2.1 million euros.
2022, some highlights...
In 2022, 152 lots were sold for more than 100,000 euros, 69% more than in 2021. A rare Guarnerius "del Gesù" violin joined the instruments of the German-American virtuoso David Garrett for €3.38m. Aguttes received the world's first auction in a metaverse. 1.23 million rewarded the first Soulages painting to be auctioned post-mortem. The auction house set a world record for the artist Louyse Moillon with the sale of an exceptional still life for 1.6 million euros. In addition, the House participates in the development of knowledge about 20th century Vietnamese painting, in which it is an authority. This year, it distinguished its services by formally restoring the paternity of the artist Trần Tấn Lộc's work.
OUR ASSOCIATED DIRECTORS
Claude Aguttes
President, founder of the Auction House and Auctioneer
President, founder of the Auction House and Auctioneer
Philippine Dupré la Tour
General Director
Director of the Lifestyle & Luxury Department
General Director
Director of the Lifestyle & Luxury Department
Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier
Associate Director
Director of the Classical Arts Department
Associate Director
Director of the Classical Arts Department
Maximilien Aguttes
Partner
Head of Transformation and Development
Partner
Head of Transformation and Development
Sophie Perrine
Partner, Head of Inventories & Private Collections
and Auctioneer
Partner, Head of Inventories & Private Collections
and Auctioneer
Gautier Rossignol
Partner
Head of Classic Cars
Partner
Head of Classic Cars
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*On all the sales, in the fields of Art and Collectibles.
**All the results reported here are including fees. Includes hammer sales, aftersales, online sales, private sales