Abalarte Subastas

About Abalarte Subastas

Abalarte Subastas is a Madrid auction house run by Abalarte Subastas Internacionales, S.L., with its saleroom at Calle Juan Bravo 46. It sells fine art, antiques, jewellery and books through numbered live auctions, and also runs online-only sales, "ocasión" sales and direct sales. Its highest-profile results have come from Spanish and European Old Master paintings.

Notable results

In 2017 Abalarte sold Retrato de niña, a portrait attributed to Diego Velázquez, for €8 million, which was its starting price. Spanish press coverage reported that the buyer was a Spanish collector. The Spanish State had declared the painting non-exportable but did not use its right of first refusal.

The house's list of highlighted results also includes a Retrato de caballero catalogued as Velázquez, hammered at €3.5 million, and a Bautismo de Cristo catalogued as Goya, sold at €2.5 million. Other entries include a Luca Giordano battle scene hammered at €700,000 against a €180,000 start, and a gold Rolex wristwatch that rose from €2,000 to €325,000.

What Abalarte Subastas sells

The main sales are split into sessions by type. The September 2026 sale, for example, had two art sessions and a separate books session, with more than 1,200 lots in total. Its first session covered prints, drawings, paintings, furniture, decorative arts and jewellery.

• Old Master paintings and sculpture: Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools
• 19th- and 20th-century art: paintings, drawings and prints
• Furniture and decorative arts
• Jewellery and watches
• Books: a dedicated books department with its own session

Selling at Abalarte Subastas

The house takes consignments for auction or direct sale and acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers. Unsold lots may be offered again at a reduced starting price. Lots that fail to sell repeatedly may be moved into an "ocasión" sale, where the house's catalogue terms set a 25% commission on the hammer price.

The standard seller's commission is agreed with each consignor. The house also offers paid valuations for estate division or insurance: 2% for values up to €30,000, 1.5% from €30,000 to €50,000 and 1% above €50,000, with VAT added.

Buying and bidding

Under the buyers' conditions printed in the sale catalogue, the buyer pays a commission of 22% of the hammer price, VAT included. Bids can be made in the room, in writing, by telephone for lots starting at €500 or more, or live online through the house's own live-auction platform. Payment is due within ten calendar days, after which late-payment interest and storage charges may apply.

After each auction, unsold lots can be bought at their starting price through the direct-sale section of the website.

Bids rise on a published scale in the general conditions. Increments are €5 between €50 and €100, €50 between €501 and €1,000, €500 between €5,001 and €10,000, and €5,000 between €50,001 and €100,000, rising to €50,000 above €500,000. Buyers are responsible for obtaining any export or import licences. A missing permit does not cancel the purchase.

Location and viewing

The saleroom and exhibition space are at Calle Juan Bravo 46, 28006 Madrid. Before each main sale there is a public viewing of about two weeks, open mornings and afternoons, including selected Saturdays. The saleroom closes for the summer holiday in August.

Frequently Asked Questions

What buyer's premium does Abalarte Subastas charge?

According to its conditions for buyers, the premium is 22% of the hammer price, VAT included.

What is the highest price achieved at Abalarte?

Its best-known result is the 2017 sale of Retrato de niña, attributed to Velázquez, for €8 million.

Can I bid online at Abalarte Subastas?

Yes. The main sales can be followed and bid on live online, and the house also runs online-only auctions. Written and telephone bids are accepted as well.