Setdart

About Setdart

Setdart is the most prominent online auction house in Spain, combining digital innovation with traditional auction expertise to become the reference point for art and collectibles auctions on the Iberian Peninsula. Founded in 2004, the firm was conceived with a modernized vision for the Spanish auction market, aiming to democratize access to quality art and antiques while maintaining the expert valuation, authentication, and advisory services serious collectors require.

From its inception, Setdart set out to achieve three objectives: offer quality lots of genuine market interest, internationalize the Spanish auction market by attracting overseas bidders, and improve the standard of service and expert advice available to buyers and sellers. Over two decades, the firm has delivered on all three fronts, consolidating its position as Spain's leading online auction platform with a buyer base extending well beyond national borders.

Locations and specialist categories

Setdart operates from offices in Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia — the three major art market cities in Spain — where specialists are available for in-person consultations, valuations, and lot viewing, complemented by a sophisticated online platform. The range of categories is exceptionally broad:

• Fine Art — Old Masters, nineteenth-century painting, Modern and Contemporary art, photography, and prints
• Antiques and Decorative Arts — furniture, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and textiles from all periods
• Jewelry and Watches — antique and estate jewelry, luxury watches, and designer accessories
• Wine, luxury handbags, classic cars, and archaeology

The firm's specialists have particular expertise in Spanish Old Master and nineteenth-century painting, an area where significant discoveries can still be made in private collections held by families for generations, giving international buyers access to material that rarely appears on the London or New York markets.

How auctions work

The auction format at Setdart is primarily online, with timed sales that run for a set period, allowing bidders to participate at their convenience — well suited to international buyers in different time zones. Certain prestige lots and themed sales may be conducted as live online auctions with real-time bidding, and the platform is available in multiple languages reflecting the international composition of the buyer base.

Selling with Setdart

Items can be submitted for valuation online through the website, by visiting one of the three regional offices, or by arranging a home visit for larger collections. Setdart's specialists provide estimates based on current market conditions and advise on the most appropriate sale format and timing. All cataloguing, photography, and marketing are handled by the firm, with seller commission rates discussed at the time of consignment. Setdart also provides ancillary services including insurance valuations, estate assessments, and advisory services for private collectors and institutions, offering a complete turnkey service from initial assessment through cataloguing and sale to final settlement.

Buying and bidding

Buyers pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, disclosed in the auction terms, and registration is required to bid. The platform supports automated proxy bidding, letting buyers set a maximum bid for the system to apply incrementally. Post-sale, Setdart coordinates domestic and international shipping and delivery. Detailed online catalogues include comprehensive lot descriptions, provenance information where available, condition notes, published pre-sale estimates, and high-resolution photography, helping both domestic and international buyers bid with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Setdart founded and what is its focus?

Setdart was founded in 2004 as Spain's leading online auction platform, aiming to democratize access to art and antiques while offering expert valuation and advisory services.

Where does Setdart have offices?

Setdart operates from offices in Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, Spain's three major art market cities.

How does bidding work at Setdart?

Setdart's auctions are primarily timed online sales, with some prestige lots offered as live online auctions with real-time bidding; the platform supports automated proxy bidding and requires registration.