Aguttes

Aguttes is one of France's foremost independent auction houses and ranks among the top five French houses by annual turnover. Founded in 1974 by Claude Aguttes, the firm has remained family-owned for half a century, now led by his daughter Sophie Aguttes-Reynier. Headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine on the western edge of Paris, Aguttes conducts over 120 sales per year across more than thirty specialized departments, attracting collectors, institutions, and dealers from around the world.

History and Heritage

Claude Aguttes began his career as a commissaire-priseur in the French provinces before establishing the house in the Paris region. The firm grew steadily through the 1980s and 1990s by cultivating expertise in areas overlooked by larger competitors. When France deregulated its auction market in 2002, Aguttes was among the first houses to embrace the new voluntary sale format, expanding its reach beyond the traditional judicial auction model. This willingness to adapt has been a defining trait of the firm, enabling it to thrive alongside much larger international groups.

Specialties and Departments

Aguttes is perhaps best known internationally for its classic and collector automobile department, which consistently ranks among the most active in Europe. The house organizes headline-grabbing sales at venues such as the Lyon Biennale and the Espace Champerret, offering everything from pre-war Bugattis and Ferraris to rare French marques like Delahaye and Facel Vega. Annual automobile turnover regularly exceeds tens of millions of euros.

Beyond automobiles, Aguttes maintains deep expertise in modern and contemporary art, with a particular strength in post-war abstraction and the School of Paris. The Asian art department has grown substantially, handling Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints, and Southeast Asian antiquities. Other notable departments include old master and 19th-century paintings, Art Deco and Design furniture, jewelry and watches, African and Oceanic art, fashion and luxury goods, rare wines and spirits, and musical instruments.

Auction Approach and Buyer Experience

Aguttes prides itself on accessibility. Catalogues are published in both French and English, and the house offers live online bidding through its own platform as well as through Drouot Live and Interencheres. Pre-sale exhibitions are open to the public, and the specialist departments provide free verbal estimates for prospective consignors. The buyer's premium is generally in the range of 25% to 30% including VAT for standard lots, though rates may vary for automobiles and high-value items. Sellers benefit from competitive commission structures, and the house frequently offers guaranteed minimum prices for important consignments.

Notable Sales and Achievements

Over the years, Aguttes has achieved several record-breaking results. The house set French auction records for classic automobiles on multiple occasions, including the sale of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta for over 9 million euros. In fine art, the firm has handled important works by Zao Wou-Ki, Chu Teh-Chun, Bernard Buffet, and other modern masters. The Asian art department has placed significant Chinese imperial porcelain and jade carvings with collectors across Asia and Europe. In the luxury goods category, Aguttes is a recognized market leader for Hermès handbags in France.

What Sets Aguttes Apart

The combination of family ownership, broad departmental coverage, and a willingness to explore emerging collecting categories gives Aguttes a distinctive position in the French market. The house has invested in digital infrastructure, regularly streaming sales live and developing a user-friendly online bidding interface. It maintains strong ties to the French provinces through partnerships and touring exhibitions, ensuring that its reach extends well beyond Paris. For international buyers and sellers, Aguttes offers the expertise and market access of a major auction house with the personal service and flexibility of an independent firm.