Bidding time

The UAE's first auction house will open in the New Year


Auction, according to the dictionary is the sale of goods and articles in public. To many, the word brings to mind auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's.

The good news is, in the New Year, people will be able to participate in auctions – much like they are conducted in the west – right here in the UAE.

In a month's time, Level 3 of Al Taawun Mall, Sharjah, will open its doors to this unique experience, says Shadi Al Awwad, director, leasing and marketing, Al Taawun Mall. "Preparations are under way to present the first-ever Muslim auction house in the UAE – Koleksiyon Auction House," says Al Awwad.

Traditional auction houses deal with antiques and priceless articles, paintings, etc. So will this one, but with an element of modernity. That's what Dr Behruz Buyukoglu from Turkey and his associate Rashid bin Khadim, a UAE national, aspire to offer.

With a common passion for antiques, both the presenters of the auction house say Koleksiyon will be the "first-ever Art Auction House that the UAE will witness".

"We plan to stage the first presentation with an exhibition on 'Modern Islamic Art' where the work of young calligraphers of today will be displayed," says Dr Behruz.

He feels that these calligraphers are the ones who have to carve a niche for themselves in the world of art. The auctions would provide an excellent opportunity to expose their works before an unprecedented audience of art lovers, he adds.

However, he plans that Koleksiyon's first auction will be of antiques. "This auction in the UAE will be my 130th auction since the first I held in1984, when I launched my first antiques company in Ankara, Turkey," he says.

From teaching agricultural genetics at Ankara University in Turkey, today Dr Behruz is an expert in the field of art. He owns two auction houses in Istanbul and one in Ankara. "This business needs indepth study and research, and since it has always been a personal passion, it was easy for me to turn my interest into a full time career," he explains.

"Each time you have a piece of antique or an artwork in your hands, you have to immediately start digging beneath its surface to find out the story behind it all."

Things he looks out for are: something unusual or unique about the piece of art, and its details and background. "When you learn more and more about a subject, you realise that you know very little," he says.

Rashid bin Khadim plans to put up for sale items such as jewellery, antiques, paintings, calligraphic works, ceramics and metal work articles at the 850,000 sq. metre auction house. "We specialise in Islamic Art and the (products) artwork will include things from the 11th century to the present day."

Right choice

Choosing the UAE for setting up an auction house was the most logical decision, says Dr Behruz. He says countries such as Turkey, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Syria and Iran – considered cradles of civilisation – have innumerable priceless artifacts, which cannot be easily exported out of these countries, he explains.

"Thus after an auction one can never be quite sure whether the concerned authorities will permit the buyer to take his bid or purchase outside the country or not," he says.

In the UAE, however, exporting items purchased from auctions is not a problem.

"With Koleksiyon in the UAE we plan to host four major and four minor auctions each year, depending on the items collected in time and ready for their last bid," says Dr Behruz.

And for those of you who are waiting to scour the auction house and want to experience the art of bidding, remember: "There is nothing like the ability to get hold of something that is very individual and gives you a lot of pleasure."

The process

Dr Behruz Buyukoglu of Koleksiyon Auction House explains the entire process of auctioning. Usually an individual or a company that owns an antique piece and wants an evaluation done of the 'piece' comes to them for an expert opinion. "We estimate an average value of the piece for them. This service is free of charge." It is then up to the owner to leave it with the auction house as an exhibit or as an item for sale. "Once we have collected many such pieces and put them down on a catalogue with details and picture of the item, we send it to our clients. These clients are enlisted with the auction house based on relations over the years," says Dr Behruz.

"We also make public announcements through advertisements on the television and newspapers. On the day of auction those interested in buying any of the works of art come with the intention of buying it or/and for the love of art itself."

The auction is usually staged at a grand ballroom of any of the well-known hotels where interested parties can bid either by being present in person or by telephone. Those not present at the event are contacted by the auction house staff just before the item is put up for bidding and once they agree to participate, the auction house provides representatives, who guide them through the bid.