The Parisian auction house NEO Enchères organized a free appraisal day open to all at the Westminster Hotel in Nice on Tuesday, October 21st. Jewelry, paintings, watches, and antique items passed throughout the day into the hands of auctioneer Quentin Charraudeau, who came to meet the residents of the French Riviera.
The Westminster room remained busy throughout the day. Curious visitors, enthusiasts, or simple heirs of a family item flocked in to have their assets appraised, often without a clear understanding of their true value. This free initiative, organized by NEO Enchères, is part of a series of events conducted across France by this generalist auction house based in Paris.
“The reason we came to the French Riviera is that we have many clients here who often say to us ‘why don’t you come to see us?’,” explains Quentin Charraudeau, president of NEO Enchères. “We wanted to meet them and introduce them to our world.”
Expertise at the Service of Heritage
The atmosphere, amicable and studious, allowed everyone to experience the appraisal process. Charraudeau describes a rigorous method: understanding the history of the item, analyzing its consistency, and then evaluating it based on market trends. Some pieces presented in Nice will be featured in the auction house’s upcoming auctions.
The auctioneer also notes “a renewed interest in jewelry, especially gold,” driven by rising prices, as well as in antiques and paintings. “People prefer to give them a second life rather than throw them away.”
Among the day’s anecdotes, an elderly lady had a Piaget gold watch appraised at over 3,000 euros, much more than she had imagined. Another client discovered her diamonds were worth over 10,000 euros. “That’s part of our role too: valuing heritage and revealing the value of what people own without knowing.”
An Educational and Proximity Approach
NEO Enchères champions a modern vision of the profession. “Many don’t dare to step into an auction house, thinking it’s an elitist environment. That’s not true. Our mission is to make auctions accessible to everyone.”
This educational approach attracted Arnaud, a 40-year-old artist, who came to appraise two gold necklaces belonging to his great-grandmother. “The appraisal went very well, it was simple and clear. They evaluated my two necklaces between 3,000 and 6,000 euros. We are considering reinvesting that money if we decide to sell.”
A House Oriented Towards the Future
Currently operating in three locations in Paris, NEO Enchères aims to expand its presence across France. “Our goal is to consolidate our foundation and continue to reach out to the public,” concludes Quentin Charraudeau.
With these free appraisal days, the house successfully brings the world of auctions closer to the general public, while reminding us that a simple family heirloom can sometimes hide a true treasure.
