LiveAuctioneers Listing Policies

Every day, LiveAuctioneers' broad audience includes art collectors who bid on both original works and replicas. To ensure a healthy marketplace for all participants, it's important to represent items accurately.

Knowingly selling, trading, producing, or advertising any unauthorized copy or reproduction of any work of art is prohibited on LiveAuctioneers. It is also prohibited to describe or advertise any item as genuine if you cannot provide reasonable evidence to prove its authenticity.

It is prohibited to knowingly participate in any way in the advertisement or sale of any work of art using any deceptive practices, including, but not limited to, false or misleading claims of the item's scarcity, value, provenance, condition or investment potential. Disclaiming knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of an item that you describe as genuine is also prohibited on LiveAuctioneers.

Reasonable evidence of authenticity

Different types of art require different kinds of evidence to support authenticity.

In order for a work by a master artist to be listed as genuine/authentic on LiveAuctioneers, one of the following must be true:

• If the artist has a catalogue raisonné, the work must be listed in that catalog. The LiveAuctioneers listing must include a reference to the work in the catalogue raisonné.
• If the artist has a catalogue raisonné in progress, it must have been reviewed by the authors of that catalogue raisonné and marked for inclusion in the published volume. This documentation should be available to any bidder that asks.
• If the artist does not have a catalogue raisonné or one forthcoming, it must have been reviewed by the leading scholar on the artist’s work. This documentation should be available to any bidder that asks.

In order for a work by living, contemporary artist to be listed as genuine, the LiveAuctioneers listing should include provenance beginning with the artist/the artist’s gallery.

Attribution qualifiers

If you cannot provide reasonable evidence to prove an item's authenticity, it should be cataloged as "after" or "in the style of" the named artist.

Below is how works “in the style of” and “after” should be listed

When you list a work of art "by" a master artist that is not a copy of known work, it should be listed as "in the style of" that artist.

• Should be described as "in the style of" both in title and description
• Should include a clear definition of "in the style of". A suggested definition:
  • “In the style of” works are works by an unknown creator whose style is strongly under the influence of the style of the named master artist. (Source: Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus)
• The art piece itself should not bear the signature of the artist being replicated.
• Should only include a Certificate of Authenticity if the certificate includes the name of the replicating (i.e., the non-original) artist and if the replicated artist is mentioned the words “in the style of” must precede the name. The COA must be included in the images for the listing.
• Should not use the following words, or variations of the words:
  • Signed, signature, mark
  • Authentic, authenticity
  • Attributed, Attrib., or variants
  • Original

2. Exact copies of works of art by a master artist*

• Should use "after" in the title and description
• Should include a definition of "After". A suggested definition:
  • For paintings/unique works: The word “after” is used for a work by an unknown creator who has created a copy of a known work of the named artist. (Source: Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus)
  • For prints/multiples: The word “after” is used for a print that reproduces a work of art by the named artist in another medium.
• The art piece itself should not bear the signature of the artist being replicated.
• Should indicate exactly which work is being copied
• May not be posted on LiveAuctioneers if they bear a forged artist's signature
• Should only include a Certificate of Authenticity if the certificate includes the name of the replicating (i.e., the non-original) artist, the name of the replicated artwork, and if the replicated artist is mentioned the words “after” must precede the name. The COA must be included in the images for the listing.

Definitions:

Master artist: A master artist is an artist with a well-established secondary market. A well-established secondary market means that the artist’s work routinely sells at auction and is generally in high demand.

Certificates of Authenticity or Appraisal (“COA”)

Legitimate Certificates of Authenticity ("COA") can help establish the authenticity of a particular item, or give a buyer certain rights if the item is later proved to be a fake. LiveAuctioneers requires that sellers who refer to a COA in their listings include who issued the certificate and any additional information relevant to that certificate. It must meet the following criteria:

• The person executing the appraisal either has earned an appraisal designation from a recognized professional appraiser organization for demonstrated competency in appraising the type of property being appraised or can demonstrate verifiable education and experience in assessing the type of property being appraised.
• The person executing the appraisal is not the buyer, recipient, or seller of the article and does not benefit from the results of the appraisal (other than for the cost of the appraisal); and is not an employee of any business that is a party to the transaction.

The certificate must contain:

• A description of the article that is detailed enough for a person who is not generally familiar with the type of article to determine that the appraisal is about the article in question
• Descriptive information on the article, including but not limited to: the size of the article, the medium, the artist or culture, approximate date the article was created, and a professional quality image of the article.
• The name and address of the qualified appraiser
• The qualifications of the appraiser who signs the appraisal, including the background, experience, education, and any membership in professional appraiser associations.
• The date on which the article was appraised.

All automobile listings should include a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the Description or Condition fields.

Restrictions: Catalytic converters are prohibited to list on LiveAuctioneers.

Restrictions: Any underwear or lingerie item that has been used cannot be listed on our platform.

Note: Any previously owned or otherwise used clothing item must be properly cleaned and accurately described within its listing.

Restrictions: Any currently active credit cards, debit cards, store cards, pre-paid cards, and lotto tickets are not allowed.

Note: LiveAuctioneers may allow the sale of inactive credit cards of a collectible nature. If a card is deemed collectible, the expiration date on the face of the card must be at least ten years old. Any identifying characteristics on the card, such as the cardholder’s name or picture, the card’s number, etc. must be blocked or blurred out.

The sale of certain destructive devices including but not limited to assault-style weapons, automatic weapons, new weapons, high-capacity magazines, potato guns, bazookas, cannons or launchers, bombs, atom or nuclear weapons, explosives, grenades, incendiary, land mines, missiles, rockets or launchers, nerve or poison gas, or hazardous material of any kind is prohibited on the LiveAuctioneers platform.

To learn about what kinds of firearms and ammunition can be sold on the platform, reach out to us at support@liveauctioneers.com. 

Furthermore, the sale of firearms through the LiveAuctioneers platform is severely restricted by federal and state laws. If state and federal law deem the sale of a firearm allowable, the item's listing must be accompanied by an FFL license. Please see the following website for further information about obtaining an FFL license: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/apply-license

Restrictions: Any item described as Native American, Alaska Native, or American Indian must be made by an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or by someone certified as an Indian artisan by a recognized Indian tribe.

Note: Sale of any antiquities and artifacts must meet trade specifications outlined by The Indian Arts and Crafts Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and The Federal Cave Protection Act.

Restrictions: Images featuring graphic erogenous zones, child nudity/pornography, real or fictionalized depictions of an obscene nature - bestiality, necrophilia, rape, scat, incest, etc. are forbidden.

Note: Any item that depicts a person of any age naked or otherwise exposed in a sexually explicit manner is strictly prohibited for public sale on our site. Nude child/adolescent content from artists such as David Hamilton, Jock Sturges, Bill Henson, Sally Mann, or similar) are prohibited.

Restrictions: Items that glorify or otherwise capitalize on human tragedy with no regard or sensitivity to the suffering caused by such events are strictly prohibited. Items that promote or commemorate non-governmental hate groups (i.e. KKK, Aryan Brotherhood, Neo-Nazi groups, etc.), items merchandising an act of violence against an individual (human or animal), items marketing intolerance toward religion, sexual orientation, race, or ethnic background are also not tolerated and will be flagged for removal.

Descriptions of authentic/period artifacts that belonged to members of hate groups or are emblazoned with those groups’ insignias or are artifacts of historical atrocities may not glorify those groups or events, or any intolerant views of those groups. Titles and descriptions may not use racial slurs.

Reproductions of authentic/period artifacts from historical atrocities or that belonged to members of hate groups or that are emblazoned with those groups' insignias, are prohibited.

Note: We understand certain items in question may feature social, artistic, historical, or political value. If you feel that your item(s) fall outside of the above restriction please contact the Support team prior to listing for approval. For faster approval, ensure the item description addresses its social, artistic, historical, or political value.

Note: As of January 2017, LiveAuctioneers does not permit the listing of any type of ivory on the platform.

Restrictions: Any wild live animal, plant, or their products sourced illegally or traded in contravention of any law. The sale of live animals outside of those officially classified as livestock is prohibited.

Bears (Asiatic Black Bear, Giant Panda, Sloth Bear, Sun Bear)
Products derived from the aforementioned species are prohibited. Such items may include but are not limited to bear bile, claws, fur, meat, medicine, skulls, taxidermy specimens, and teeth.

Big Cats (Cheetah, Jaguar, Leopard, Ocelot, Tiger)
Products derived from the aforementioned species of concern are prohibited. Such items may include but are not limited to bear bile, claws, fur, meat, medicine, skulls, taxidermy specimens, and teeth.

Protected Birds (Falcons, Eagles, Parrots)
Products derived from bird species of concern are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: bones, eggs, feathers, nests, skulls, and taxidermy specimens.

Cetaceans (e.g. Dolphins, Porpoises, Whales)
Products derived from cetacean parts are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: ambergris, bones, meat, oil, scrimshaw/teeth, and skulls.

Corals (e.g. Black, Elkhorn, Red, Pink, Staghorn)
Products derived from black, Elkhorn, red, pink or Staghorn coral are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: decorative items, jewelry, and sculptures.

Elephants (African, Asian)
Products derived from elephant parts are entirely banned. Sample products include but are not limited to: ivory- raw ivory tusks, figurines (e.g. netsuke, okimono), game sets (backgammon, chess, pool sticks), jewelry (necklace, bangle, pendant), puzzle ball, puzzle box, sculptures, snuff bottles, walking stick, handles; elephant hair- jewelry, ornaments; leather- belts, shoes, briefcases, wallets; trophies: head mounts, tails, feet (umbrella stands, ice buckets, etc.).

Marine Turtles (Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley)
Products derived from marine turtle parts are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: eggs, leather products (boots, belts), meat, oil, sunscreen, shell, shell products (hair clips, earrings, spectacles) and taxidermy specimens.

Pangolins (Asian, African)
Products derived from pangolin parts are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to leather products (boots, belts), meat, medicine, scales/skin, and taxidermy specimens.

Primates (e.g. Bonobo, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Monkeys, Orangutan)
Products derived from primate parts are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: furs, hand ashtrays, meat, medicine, skulls, and taxidermy specimens.

Reptiles & Amphibians (e.g. Plowshare Tortoise, Iranian Spotted Newt, Lake Titicaca Frog)
Products derived from the reptile and amphibian species of concern (as defined by conservation groups) are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: leathers, belts, boots, bracelets, handbags, shoes, meat, teeth, skulls, shells and taxidermy specimens.

Rhinoceros (Black, Greater One-Horned, Javan, Sumatran, White
Products derived from rhinoceros parts are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: bags, beads, bracelets, briefcases, libation cups, medicine/remedy, raw horn or horn pieces, tonics and trophies (head mounts, feet, tails).

Sharks and Sawfishes (e.g. Great White Shark, Basking Shark, Whale Shark, Smalltooth Sawfish)Products derived from sharks, rostra (sawfish bill) and shark fins/fin products are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to fin cartilage, fresh and dried fins, shark fin soup and sawfish rostrum.

Tibetan Antelope
Products derived from Tibetan Antelope are prohibited. Sample products include but are not limited to: antlers, cloth, fiber, shawls, taxidermy specimens, and wool.

For more information contact your local government department responsible for wildlife trade regulation or national CITES Management Authority. Further information on wildlife conservation and threats to species from illegal and unsustainable trade can be found through these organizations and websites:

Wildlife Trade Laws:

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Endangered Species Act

Lacey Act

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Elephant Ivory Regulations

About Wildlife Trade:

WWF

TRAFFIC

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)