A written description of an auction item that appears in the catalog. Professional lot descriptions include: title or identification line, physical description, condition notes, dimensions, materials, maker or brand, era or period, and provenance. Description quality directly correlates with bidder confidence and final sale prices.
How It Works in Practice
The difference between a $50 sale and a $500 sale is often the description. 'Old bowl, blue and white, some chips' attracts bargain hunters. 'Rookwood Pottery Standard Glaze vase, shape 907C, decorated by Kataro Shirayamadani, dated 1900, crazing to glaze, two flea bites to foot rim' attracts Rookwood collectors who know exactly what they're bidding on. AI cataloging tools generate descriptions at the professional level by analyzing multiple photos and using auction-specific terminology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a lot description include?
How long should auction lot descriptions be?
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