Meeting Art

Meeting Art is one of the most significant auction houses in Italy, holding a prominent position in the national art market in terms of both volume and turnover. Based in Vercelli, a historic city in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, Meeting Art has built a formidable reputation over more than four decades for the breadth of its auction offerings, the energy of its sales, and the accessibility of its platform to both seasoned collectors and newcomers. The firm was founded in 1979 by Mario Carrara, an art visionary whose background in gallery management informed his approach to the auction business. Carrara recognized that the Italian auction market was ripe for a firm that could combine the excitement and transparency of auction selling with the curatorial eye and personal service of a fine art gallery. From the outset, Meeting Art sought to offer a diverse range of material, from Renaissance masterpieces to modern and contemporary works, decorative arts, and luxury goods — a breadth that has been a hallmark of the firm ever since. Over the decades, Meeting Art has grown into one of Italy's leading auction houses by volume, conducting dozens of sales per year across an extraordinarily wide range of categories. The core departments include Modern and Contemporary Art, which is the firm's signature strength; Old Master Paintings and Drawings; Antique Furniture and Decorative Arts; Jewelry and Watches; Wine and Spirits; Luxury Accessories; and Rugs and Textiles. This diversity ensures that Meeting Art can serve virtually any consignment need, from a single painting to a complete estate. The Modern and Contemporary Art department is the engine of Meeting Art's business and reputation. The firm regularly handles works by major Italian and international artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from the Arte Povera and Transavanguardia movements to current market stars. The energy and competitive bidding in these sales reflect the depth of Italian collector interest in modern and contemporary material, and Meeting Art's results are closely followed by the trade. For sellers, Meeting Art offers a comprehensive consignment service. Valuations can be arranged by visiting the Vercelli premises, submitting images online, or requesting a home visit for larger collections. The specialist team provides estimates and advises on the most appropriate sale and timing. Meeting Art handles all aspects of cataloguing, photography, and marketing. The firm's extensive mailing list and online presence ensure that each sale reaches a broad audience of registered bidders. Commission rates are competitive within the Italian market and are discussed at the time of consignment. Buyers can participate in Meeting Art's sales in person at the Vercelli saleroom, by telephone, by absentee bid, or through the firm's online bidding platform. The online system enables real-time participation during live auctions, a feature that has significantly expanded the buyer base in recent years. A buyer's premium is charged on all lots, with the current percentage disclosed in the conditions of sale for each auction. The Vercelli location, while less well-known internationally than Milan or Florence, is a strategic choice. The city is well-connected by road and rail to Milan (approximately one hour), Turin, and Genoa, and the lower cost base compared to Italy's major cities allows Meeting Art to offer competitive commission terms. The firm's premises provide ample space for viewing and storage, and the auction atmosphere is lively and inclusive. What sets Meeting Art apart in the Italian auction landscape is the combination of high volume, category breadth, and genuine market influence in modern and contemporary art. While some competitors focus on a narrow range of prestige categories, Meeting Art's willingness to handle everything from Old Masters to wine to luxury accessories makes it a one-stop destination for diverse consignments. At the same time, the firm's strength in modern and contemporary Italian art gives it specialist credibility in the category that drives the highest prices and greatest collector interest in the Italian market. The auction format at Meeting Art is designed to be dynamic and accessible. Sales are well-promoted, the catalogues are thorough, and the bidding process is transparent. The firm's growing online presence has attracted younger collectors and international buyers who might not otherwise engage with a Vercelli-based house, expanding the firm's reach well beyond its Piedmont home base. Meeting Art also provides ancillary services including valuations for insurance, probate, and estate purposes. The firm's specialists are available for collection consultations and can advise on market trends, consignment strategy, and optimal sale timing. For executors and families managing large or diverse estates, Meeting Art's breadth of category coverage simplifies the process by allowing all types of property to be handled by a single firm. The firm's catalogues are professionally produced with detailed lot descriptions, provenance information, and clear photography. Online catalogues are accessible well in advance of each sale, allowing prospective buyers to research and plan their bidding. Condition reports are available on request, and the specialist team is responsive to inquiries from both domestic and international clients. For anyone interested in Italian modern and contemporary art, or for sellers with diverse collections including antiques, jewelry, wine, or luxury goods, Meeting Art offers a professional, high-energy, and well-organized auction experience. The firm's four-decade track record and consistent market presence make it one of the most reliable and productive auction houses in Italy.