Bonhams

Bonhams runs from Montpelier Street in Knightsbridge, and for a European buyer the useful thing to know is how much of the group's activity is outside London: at any point there are sales open for bidding in Denmark and Sweden alongside the British calendar, and the motor car department sells at events such as the Goodwood Revival in Chichester.

What you can buy

• Modern and contemporary art, and Old Masters.
• Collectors' motor cars and automobilia — sold at motoring events as well as in the room.
• Jewellery and fashion.
• Fine wine, including Burgundy and Bordeaux at the top of the market.
• Design and decorative arts.

How the bidding works

Sales are catalogued auctions with live online bidding, and the Nordic houses in the group run their own timed sales in local currency. A single account covers the group, but each saleroom publishes its own terms, viewing times and collection deadlines.

What to check before you bid

Check which saleroom a lot is in before bidding: a lot in a Danish sale is bought, paid for and collected in Denmark, whatever the front page says. Motor car sales held at events have short collection windows and their own inspection arrangements — the car is at the venue, not at a permanent yard. On wine, the premium and duty position depends on whether the lot is in bond, and that changes the real cost more than the hammer price does.