Hôtel de Ventes Horta

About Hôtel de Ventes Horta

Hôtel de Ventes Horta is an art and antiques auction house in Brussels, based on Avenue de Roodebeek in Schaerbeek. It holds a catalogued sale every month, and each sale mixes paintings, jewellery, furniture, design and objets d'art. The house is directed by Dominique de Villegas and is a member of the Chambre Royale Belgo-Luxembourgeoise des Salles de Ventes, the Royal Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Auction Houses.

Besides the Brussels saleroom, Horta offers valuations by appointment in Knokke-Duinbergen on the Belgian coast.

History

According to Delen Private Bank, Horta was founded in 1982. The house was originally located next to the Horta Museum, the former home of the Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, and took its name from it. Count Dominique de Villegas, who started at the house as a young employee, later took it over through a management buy-out. He was joined by his wife Fabienne and later by their son Gatien and daughter Isaline, so it is now a family business.

What Horta sells

Horta's monthly sales cover a broad range of art and antiques. Recent catalogues have included:

• Old Master paintings, including 17th-century Flemish panels
• Belgian modern paintings, by artists such as Constant Permeke, Floris Jespers and Anne-Pierre de Kat
• Signed jewellery and fine jewellery set with diamonds, pearls and coloured stones
• Period furniture, such as 17th-century Antwerp cabinets
• Belgian 20th-century design, including tables by Ado Chale and Jean-Claude Dresse

Since the house now includes a selection of wines in every monthly sale, wine buyers can also bid alongside art and antiques collectors. Delen also names wine and precious jewellery as areas where Horta has built a reputation.

Selling at Horta

Horta's auctioneers give free valuations every Monday, except on sale Mondays, at the Brussels saleroom. These cover works of art, jewellery and wine. Home visits are possible by appointment, and it helps to send photographs first. Valuations are also available by appointment at the Knokke-Duinbergen office.

Once items have been assessed, they can be dropped off from Monday to Friday. For catalogued sales, the house sets up a consignment mandate with the seller. Sellers are paid two to three weeks after the sale, either by bank transfer or in cash within the legal limit of €3,000 per transaction. The website does not publish the seller's commission, so consignors should ask when they book a valuation.

Buying and bidding

Horta's conditions of sale add a buyer's premium of 22% to the hammer price, plus an exit fee of €1 per lot. Buyers who bid through the Drouot Digital platform pay an extra 3% including VAT. Payment is due within three days of the sale, by bank transfer, Belgian certified cheque, debit card (Bancontact) or cash within the legal limits.

There are four ways to bid:

• In person in the saleroom
• By absentee bid, using the form or after logging in on the website
• By telephone, on request
• Live online through Drouot Live, with registration in advance

Between the sale and collection, the house keeps purchased lots in safe custody. Any dispute falls under the jurisdiction of the Brussels courts.

Location and viewing

The saleroom is at Avenue de Roodebeek 70-74, 1030 Brussels, close to the European institutions. Each monthly sale is preceded by a public exhibition, where buyers can inspect the lots in person. The house can be reached by telephone on +32 2 741 60 60.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Horta hold auctions?

Horta holds a catalogued art and antiques sale every month, with a public exhibition beforehand. A selection of wines is now part of each monthly sale.

What is the buyer's premium at Horta?

The conditions of sale add a 22% premium to the hammer price, plus €1 per lot. Bidding through Drouot Digital costs an extra 3% including VAT.

Does Horta offer free valuations?

Yes. Its auctioneers value art, jewellery and wine free of charge every Monday except sale days in Brussels, and by appointment in Knokke-Duinbergen or at the owner's home.