My commitments towards Sellers
My experience in the field of Automatons, Fairground Art and Mechanical Musical Instruments since 1976, my library and my documentation (More than 6000 books and documents), my worldwide collectors network, allow me to respond in a relevant and effective way to requests for expertise from individuals wishing estimates for sharing, insurance, sales or simply wanting to know more about the collectibles they are the custodians of.
Often, this boils down to simple answers to photographs sent by mail but if the piece justifies it, I carry out a organological examination, attentive listening whenever possible (Don’t forget these are automatons and automatic musical instruments) and the writing of a descriptive sheet.
At the reception of your photos & your videos sent through request form and the settlement of the amount of the lump sum opening of file, I give you an opinion on the interest of the piece and an estimation of the market price. This is formalized by the issuance of a summary of knowledge on the piece, a specimen of which is visible here.
This step is not an expertise and cannot, at this stage, incur my responsibility, as far as elements provided, are it through non-verifiable media (photography, film or video, recording, etc...)
This procedure has the advantage of answering your first questions, of leaving you full freedom in the choice of strategy and to assure you of my perfect independence.
Depending on this first approach, I am able to advise you on the most relevant sales strategies: OTC sale, auction, private transaction, or according to your wishes, a mode of conservation, a restoration or the Building lots for sharing...
- When the destiny of the piece is stopped and after physical examination of the art object or collection, I carry out its expertise. This takes the form of a Certificate of Authenticity, descriptive file usable in court and binding on third parties.
- In the case of an willing sale, I include this (these) sheet (s) on the website www.expertises.pro Picking up the description and link pointing to a complete photo folder of the object. A commission on the sale is levied on the final sale price, fixed in common agreement with you.
- In the case of an auction, I propose a study of auctioneer according to the geographical location of the instrument or a strategic choice as to the relevance of the exhibition and I accompany your pieces until their final auction. I include this (these) sheet (s) on the website www.expertises.pro By indicating the date of sale, the contact details of the S.V., and all the means for the best possible realization. A minimum selling price, says Reserve price, may be defined in agreement with the auctioneer. It usually corresponds to the low estimation of the expertise. My fees are then included in the sales fee and paid by the auctioneer.
- In the case of a restoration, I advise the professional most suitable for the work envisaged, I am the advancement of their realization and verifies their conformity with the rules of the Art.
My commitments towards Buyers
As my specialized expert role is to determine nature, origin and epoca of manufacture of Automata, Mechanical Musical Instruments and Fairground Art ; to detect possible alterations, transformations and reparations and to formulate a price in trading value or in replacement value ; I am recording these observations in various documents that commit my responsibility. As a result, all transactions to which I bring my assistance on this site, are likely to be accompanied by the following documents:
Certificate of Authenticity
This Material Safety Data Sheet is a true piece of identity of the object of art or collection. This document, formal and authenticated by my signature, commits my responsibility for a term defined by French law (See French Decree No. 81-255 of March 3, 1981, says Décret Marcus).
Its writing includes an history, the report of the detailed organological examination of the instrument, a statement of possible alterations, transformations or repairs suffered and highlights its potentialities. It is accompanied by digitally signed photographs.
This Certificate guarantees the time of manufacture, the origin, and the degree of authenticity of the art object. It can be filed in court and it is binding on third parties.
Estimation
Addition to the Certificate of Authenticity, the estimate indicates a Trading Value on the market on the day of its establishment.
This document makes it possible to know the relative value of the property.
Insurance Value Certificate
Addition to the Certificate of Authenticity, the Insurance Value Certificate indicates the Replacement Value of the work of art or collection on the day of the preparation of the document. Very useful in the event of a disaster, it is strongly recommended to establish it prior to the initial signing of the contract, or to include it during the annual review of the special conditions. Insurance companies honor their contracts more easily, when an accredited expert has accurately described and estimated the deprived, destroyed or damaged property. In any case, the certification of an expert of justice will allow insurance companies to instruct the file in much better conditions.
This document can and must be updated regularly, in order to take account of the differences recorded in the Art Market according to modes or discoveries...
All this is done under the control of the French law, which is the most rigorous in regard to the responsibility of the art experts. It allows everyone to assert their rights in the event of a challenge. The expert is legally accountable for his expertise: he commits his responsibility in every certificate he delivers. That is, it is obligated to respond to the damage it causes in the event of a proven error.
Law and Regulation
French Decree No. 81-255 of March 3, 1981, says Décret Marcus, deals with the suppression of fraud with respect to transactions of works of art and collectibles.
See here its Consolidated version as at July 7, 2017, which remains to this day the basis of French law in this field. This document is extracted from the site Légifrance, public service of the dissemination of the law.
Experts's statements are materialized by the Certificate of Expertise, the most appropriate document for establishing the guarantee of an object as to its value, state of conservation and authenticity.
The French law recognized as the most protective for the client and the most rigorous regarding the responsibility of the art experts, allows everyone to assert his rights in case of dispute.
The insurance
To meet my obligations, I have subscribed to specific professional insurance and I benefit from the guarantees granted by the insurance contracts R.C.P. subscribed by the National Council of Companies of Experts of Justice - C.N.C.E.J. to MMA IARD / Assurances Mutuelles sous le n° 113 520 312, guaranteeing my professional civil responsibility for the tasks entrusted to me in the field of jurisdictional and extra-jurisdictional expertise.
The guarantors
The National Chamber of Specialized Experts, hereinafter referred to as C.N.E.S., founded in 1967, selects candidates through examinations of entry to the playoffs, ensures the continuous training of its members through regular internships within its state-approved institute, and only issues the title of specialist expert after A final control of theoretical and practical knowledge. Anxious to adapt to the evolution of the art market, the C.N.E.S. extends its representation to many countries by resident experts and corresponding members.
Founding member of the European Confederation of Art Experts- C.E.D.E. A., the competence and rigor of its members are worth to the C.N.E.S. the confidence of the largest public and private international institutions and collections.
I have been accredited by CNES since 2010. As member of the board of Trustees, I am in charge of Chamber Communication since 2015.
I am also a member of the CEDEA.
The law strives to anticipate and resolve conflicts. The judge says the law. But is the judge apt to say whether a building is built in The rules of Art, if a road accident is invalid at 20 or 50%, why is a machine not working? The judge cannot be both judge, doctor, architect or engineer. He often needs a specialist to enlighten him. Of course, this specialist must be competent, rigorous and of impeccable honesty. For this purpose, justice selects professionals in all fields and appoints them Justice experts.
I have sworn to the high Courts of jurisdiction to accomplish my mission, make my report and give my opinion with honor and conscience.
I am a Justice Expert near the Court of Appeal and the Administrative Court of Toulouse since 2007, member of the company, member of the board of Trustees and I was his general secretary from 2012 to 2016.
I was been approved by the Conseil des Ventes Volontaires in May 2008 - Approval 2008-658.
Shooting Advices
To give you a relevant opinion, I need to receive the most descriptive pictures possible. Therefore sharp, well-lit, well-framed images are preferable.
Here are some suggestions and reminders so that we can communicate to the best of your interests.
♥ Preferably use digital camera for close-ups, in macro position.
♥ Everything is important and all the details matter:
The general views of the different faces, but also detailed views of interior and mechanism, emphasizing important points such as set of vibrating teeth (for music boxes), the piping of organs, the ankle base of pianos, etc., anything that can contribute to the identification: Signatures Punches, marks, serial numbers, etc., and of course any traces of wear, breakage, lack or any other defect.
♥ Artificial light modifies colors. Daylight highlights all the details of the item. The flash creates shadows and flattens the depth of field.
♥ Avoid blurry photos by attaching your device to a tripod or placing it on a stable surface.
♥ A video also allows to have an overview of mechanism operating status or instrument sound quality.
My diary
HERITAGE DAYS 2024
On 21th & 22th of september 2024, come celebrate with us Heritage Days...
Lectures on Saturday 21 at 11am and 3:30pm; Sunday 22 at 11am : Le grand réseau des joueurs d'orgues de barbarie en Europe au XIXe siècle
Concert of automatic violins on Sunday at 4pm : The double Mills
Free entry on reservation at +33 607 624 394 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Festival des Gets
On July, 16 th& 17th.
Come and appreciate the 40th remembrance of the museum... THE french automatic musical instruments museum.
My hat goes off to the event commitee who organizes this 40th appointment for the museum foundation.
TEFAF - Maastricht
On June, from 24th to 30th. Antiquarian and world premier art fair
Musical instruments on show at Jean-Michel Renard's wonderful booth.
Festival de Waldkirch im Schwartzwald 2022
On June, 25th & 26th.
After pandemic years, one of the first date for musical automata's lovers.
Eve with Suzy & Angello Rulli, ones of enthusiats from Ron Bopp's Bumbling Bruder Tour who traveled thousands of miles through United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland, Germany where we met them during the Waldkirch Orgel Festival.
GREETINGS & BEST WISHES 2022
MUCEM | Les Lundis d’après [objets]
Live on Youtube, the 25th of January 2021 at 8:30pm.
During this event, curator Vincent Giovannoni, Eve Chaillat et Philippe Crasse present one of the most desirable Museum's work of art.
GREETINGS & BEST WISHES 2021
AUTOMATACON 2022 from 20th to 22th of May 2022
Morristown (New Jersey) U.S.A.
Convention for automaton makers, collectors, and enthusiasts of Kinetic Art.
Presenter - Art in Motion, from Automata to Kinetic Art
OUR AD in the 2021/2022 MBSI DIRECTORY
Our participation in DESTINS de CIRQUE exhibition - from 24th of October, 2020 until January 2021
Through the 60keys Limonaire restoration for Mucem Museum (Marseille) lent for this exhibition to the "Saline Royale" d'Arc-et-Senans (Doubs - France).
AUTOMATACON 2020 posponed in 2021
Morristown (New Jersey) U.S.A.
Convention for automaton makers, collectors, and enthusiasts of Kinetic Art.
Presenter - Art in Motion, from Automata to Kinetic Art
SYMPOSIUM "MAKING MARVELS"
Metropolitan Museum - New York City. 27 Février 2020.
Rencontre de Cloture de l'exposition
WISHES 2020
As Crayfishes, Lobsters and others King Prawns have made several times this past year, headlines in French newspapers, take as a nod this mechanical reminder, designed at a time when symbols had meaning !
AUCTION on SITE - SVV COUTAU-BEGARIE & Ass.
Moulin d'Orgemont - 2 rue du Clos des Moines - 95100 Argenteuil, on 2019, 30th of June
Princess carriages and legendary horses on a carousel, 89 keys Gavioli fairground organ and steam powered traction machine from Hippo-Palace for sale.
Table d'Expert
ART de VIVRE à la FRANCAISE 2019
French Embassy in Moscow, 45 Bolchaya Yakimanka - from 28th to 31th of May 2019.
French Heritage workshops present luxurious culture and know-how in creation and restoration.
Presenter "La Technique au service de l'Art"
WISHES 2019
Click on the picture to access to New Year Greetings...
RETOUR aux SOURCES 2018
Atelier Le LUDION - 302 avenue de Fronton - 31200 TOULOUSE - les 12 & 13 Octobre 2018.
During Journées Nationales des Savoir-Faire d'Excellence (Knowledge of Excellence National Days), enjoy with us a lecture, a Concert dans les Copeaux, a mart and a lottery.
Presenter
AUTOMATACON 2018
Morristown (New Jersey) U.S.A. du 18 au 20 Mai 2018.
Convention for automaton makers, collectors, and enthusiasts of Kinetic Art.
Presenter "Automaton as object of power".
AUCTION - NORDMANN SVV.
Hotel Drouot - Salle 1 - 4th of May 2018.
Music box sale - Troll & Fils.
Table d'expert.
AUCTION - PHILOCALE - Me Semont
Hotel des Ventes d'Orléans - 28th of April, 2018.
Mirecourt Chamber Organ and a fairground riffle target
Table d'expert.
5e RENCONTRE PARLEMENTAIRE des ENTREPRISES du PATRIMOINE VIVANT
Palais Bourbon, salle Colbert - 12th of April, 2018.
Elle réunira Députés, Sénateurs et dirigeants d’entreprises labellisées.
participant.
SALON du LIVRE d'ART & de l'OBJET RARE
Grand-Palais à Paris du 12 au 15 Avril 2018.
Presenter "Automaton as object of power" Vendredi 13 avril à 18h.
SALON du PATRIMOINE 2017
Carrousel du Louvre à Paris - du 2 au 5 Novembre 2018.
exposant stand D19.
Presenter "La Technique au service de l'art".
Certificate of Autenticity
My role as a specialist expert is to determine the nature, origin and time of manufacture of automatons, art and musical instruments to mechanical; To detect any alterations, transformations and repairs and to indicate an average price in trading value or in replacement value.
Fulfilling my charge with sincerity, impartiality, competence, and integrity, I am bound by professional secrecy and am responsible for my expertise. As such and to offer a total guarantee, I have taken out professional insurance, covering both the risks of errors and accidents, loss or theft of objects that may occur during my missions, as required by law.
Strong of my independence, but at the heart of the market, and in constant relationship with its actors, I advise my clients, for a sharing, for any question of insurance and for the Constitution or the dispersion of a collection.
I also assist the auctioneers in the drafting of the sales catalogues, I give them my technical and scientific assistance for a perfect valorization of the objects of art and I participate in the classification of the works of art in the collections and the Museums.
The intervention of independent experts is indispensable to evaluate a family property, a collection, or to organize a private or public sale, to carry out a descriptive inventory, an evaluation corresponding to the current price of the art market, in the negotiation of a contract of insurance, of sharing, of succession, of donation, or simply to know the value of a collection.
The experts are the real guarantors of the art market.
The different types of interventions
Often, the estimation of a piece boils down to a simple response to images sent by mail.
But if the piece justifies it, I carry out a complete organological examination, attentive listening when the instrument is in working condition (let's not forget that these are automatic musical instruments and automatons) and the writing of a sheet Descriptive.
I proceed in two steps:
At the reception of your photos & your videos, sent through request form and the settlement of the amount of the flat-rate opening of the file, I formulate an opinion on the interest of the piece and an estimation of the market price. This first step is concretized by a document, a summary of the knowledge on the piece, a specimen of which is visible here.
This approach is not an expertise and cannot, at this stage, incur my responsibility, insofar as the elements provided are, by means of non-verifiable media (photographs, films or videos, recordings, etc.).
This procedure has the advantage of answering your first questions, by providing high and low limits, to leave you full freedom in the strategic choices and to assure you of my perfect independence.
Depending on this first approach, you will be able to opt for different choices:
The Certificate of Authenticity
This material safety Data sheet is a true piece of identity of the object of art or collection. This document, formal and authenticated by my signature, commits my responsibility for a term defined by law (See French Decree No. 81-255 of March 3, 1981, says Décret Marcus).
Its writing includes a history, the report of the detailed organological examination of the instrument, a statement of possible alterations, transformations or repairs suffered and highlights its potentialities. It is accompanied by digitally signed photographs.
This certificate guarantees the time of manufacture, the origin and the degree of authenticity of the art object. It can be filed in court and it is binding on third parties.
The estimate
Addition to the Certificate of Authenticity, the estimate indicates the trading value on the market on the day of its establishment.
This document makes it possible to know the relative value of the item.
The Insurance value Certificate
Another supplement to the Certificate of Authenticity, the insurance value certificate indicates the replacement value of the work of art or collection on the day of the preparation of the document. Very useful in the event of a disaster, it is strongly recommended to establish it prior to the initial signing of the contract, or to include it during the annual review of the special conditions. Insurance companies honour their contracts more easily, when an accredited expert has accurately described and estimated of the deprived, destroyed or damaged property. In any case, the certification of an expert of justice will allow the insurance company to instruct the file in much better conditions.
This document can and must be updated regularly, to take account of the differences recorded in the Art market according to modes or discoveries...
Stolen item alert
Incidentally, the Constitution by my care of an archive of digital photographs and videos, accurate and characterized, and its preservation on my network, will facilitate the research and allow to restore without difficulty, the trajectory of an Instrument. I collaborate with various research corpses around the world and am able to instantly alert my own network.
The fees
At the opening of a dossier for expertise, I request the payment of a lump sum fee, the amount of which is currently set at €80 (1 July 2017).
Then, depending on the options set out and chosen by you in full knowledge of the facts, I draw up a quotation and submit it to you, without any form of commitment from you. In case of agreement, a fee agreement is then proposed to you, with a provision.