The terms on which we sell

1. Bidding

Every bid is a binding offer to buy the lot at that amount, on these conditions. The highest bid accepted when a lot closes, or when the auctioneer's hammer falls, wins the lot, provided it meets the reserve. A bid is accepted only when our system has recorded it; until then it has not been made.

In online sales, a maximum bid is an instruction to bid for you, one step at a time, up to that amount. If two bidders leave the same maximum, the one received first leads. A bid in the last two minutes of a lot extends that lot to two minutes after the bid.

In live sales, the auctioneer may open a lot below the reserve, may refuse a bid, and decides any dispute at the rostrum. Absentee maximums left before the sale are bid by the auctioneer for you, no higher than needed.

2. Estimates and reserves

Estimates are our opinion of the likely hammer price and are not a guarantee. Most lots have a reserve, the confidential minimum the seller will accept, which is never above the low estimate. A lot that does not reach its reserve is not sold.

3. What you pay

The buyer pays the hammer price and a buyer's premium of 20% of the hammer price. VAT at 16% is charged on the premium only. Payment is due within seven days of the sale, in Kenya shillings, by bank transfer or at Umber House.

4. Condition

Lots are sold as they are. Our condition reports are written with care but are opinions, not warranties; you are welcome to see any lot at a viewing before you bid. If a lot is shown within a year of the sale not to be the work of the artist it is attributed to, we will cancel the sale and refund what you paid.

5. Collection

Lots may be collected from Umber House once paid for. We store paid lots free for fourteen days, and can arrange packing and delivery at the buyer's cost.

6. Your limit

Each bidder has a bidding limit per lot. We may raise, lower or suspend a limit at any time, and may ask for identification or a deposit before raising it.