Hammer Price
The hammer price is the winning bid announced when the auctioneer's hammer falls, before buyer's premium and other fees are added.
What hammer price means
Auction databases may show hammer price, price realized, or sale price. Wassily keeps these fields distinct where the source data allows it, because appraisal and market analysis often require knowing which number is being compared.
Related art-market concepts
Provenance
Provenance is the ownership history of an artwork or object, including prior collectors, galleries, estates, exhibitions, and sale records when available.
Buyer's Premium
Buyer's premium is the fee added by an auction house to the hammer price and paid by the buyer.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales are past transactions used to estimate the market value of a similar artwork, object, or collectible.
Bought-In Lot
A bought-in lot is an auction lot that did not sell, often because bidding failed to meet the reserve or seller expectations.
Price Realized
Price realized is the reported final auction price, often including buyer's premium depending on the auction house and source.
Sell-Through Rate
Sell-through rate is the share of offered lots that sold in an auction, sale, artist market, or category.