Intermediary Service Conditions – TenCate Art
Intermediary Service Conditions – TenCate Art
These service conditions outline the terms under which TenCate Art provides intermediary services for the buying and selling of artworks. They apply to all clients engaging TenCate Art for advisory, research, assessment, placement, or sales-related services.
1. Scope of Service
TenCate Art acts exclusively as an independent intermediary for the buying and selling of artworks. We do not take ownership of any objects at any stage. Our role is limited to advising, researching, cataloguing, and placing artworks with suitable auction houses or buyers.
2. Intake, Travel and Assessment Fees
For on-site visits within the Benelux, TenCate Art charges a fixed base fee of €350 (excluding VAT) plus travel expenses calculated from our location to the client's address at €0,35 per / km.
TenCate Art does not work with hourly rates. This fixed fee is designed to provide full transparency and to cover time spent travelling, inspecting artworks, conducting preliminary research, classifying objects and offering strategic advice during the visit.
If the client proceeds with a consignment or intermediary agreement, TenCate Art may, at its discretion, deduct or waive part of this intake fee from the final commission. If the client chooses not to continue after the assessment, the intake fee and travel costs remain payable in full.
VAT on Intermediary Service:
All fees charged by TenCate Art including the fixed base fee, travel expenses, research fees, advisory work, catalogue preparation and commission are subject to 21% VAT in accordance with Dutch tax law. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all prices mentioned by TenCate Art are exclusive of VAT. VAT will be added to the final invoice. Clients are responsible for the payment of all applicable VAT, which must be settled together with the invoiced service fees before any settlement of sale proceeds can be made.
3. Commission Structure
TenCate Art charges a commission on artworks successfully sold through our intermediary services. The standard commission is:
• 25% for items sold through TenCate Art’s selected channels (e.g., Catawiki or online platforms).
• For high-value items sold through international auction houses, a different commission may apply.
Commission is calculated on the net hammer price or final sale price received from the auction house or buyer.
4. No Guarantee of Sale or Price
All valuations, estimates or recommendations provided by TenCate Art are strictly advisory. We do not guarantee sale results, hammer prices, or the acceptance of items by any auction house.
5. No Liability for Objects
Since TenCate Art does not take possession of artworks, we accept no responsibility or
liability for loss, theft, damage or deterioration of artworks located at the clients premises,
in transit, or at any auction house or third-party institution. All risk remains with the owner
or the relevant institution handling the object.
6. Transport and Handling
Transport of artworks is the responsibility of the owner or the auction house. Any arrangements made for transport will be carried out by third parties, and TenCate Art accepts no liability for transport-related issues.
7. Research and Documentation
TenCate Art provides catalogue notes, condition observations and provenance summaries based on available information and professional judgement. These do not constitute formal authentication, certification or legal warranties.
8. Client Obligations
Clients must provide accurate ownership and provenance information, ensure artworks are legally owned and free of claims, and allow TenCate Art reasonable access to inspect items when required.
9. Cancellation
Clients may cancel the collaboration at any stage prior to consignment. Any completed research, travel or intake work will be invoiced accordingly. Objects that have already been submitted to a regular or Catawiki auction cannot be withdrawn from the sale until the auction has fully concluded and the object remains unsold.
10. Acceptance of Terms
By engaging TenCate Art for intermediary services—either verbally, in writing or by allowing the assessment of a collection—clients acknowledge and accept these conditions.