Buy with Confidence
125% GUARANTEE
At M.S. Rau we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. When you buy antiques from M.S. Rau you can do so with complete confidence. We are so confident that our antiques are some of the finest in the world, we back each piece we sell with a 125% guarantee. Any antique you buy from M.S. Rau can be returned by you, in the same condition as when you purchased it, for full credit on any like kind item(s) that we own in our gallery, catalog or website at the marked retail price, including 5% appreciation annually for up to five years following the sale. That's a guaranteed 25% appreciation in value. Learn More
YOUR PERSONAL SALES CONSULTANT
Our sales consultants are among the finest, most knowledgeable group of professionals in the industry, each bringing with them a unique insight and expertise. When you choose M.S. Rau, a dedicated sales consultant will assist you, answer questions and advise you on your acquisitions. Meet the Team
ON APPROVAL POLICY
If you are unable to visit the gallery, many of our items can be shipped to you on an On Approval basis. This lets you experience the piece in your own home before you commit to purchasing. Ask about purchasing items on approval here.
PROFESSIONAL PACKING & SHIPPING
M.S. Rau can ship any item to any destination in the world safely, expeditiously and fully insured.* All of our packages are professionally packed on site by an employee specially trained in packing delicate and precious items. We ship via UPS and insured private carriers. Learn More About Shipping
YOUR PRIVACY & SECURE ONLINE TRANSACTIONS
M.S. Rau is committed to ensuring your privacy as a customer. We’ll never share your information and we keep it strictly safeguarded.All purchases, both online and offline, are 100% discreet, safe and secure. We use the latest SSL encryption technology to protect your information and we never release that information to anyone outside of our company. Learn More
RETURNS & EXCHANGES
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it, in the same condition as when it was purchased, for a full store credit (less shipping costs). Learn More
PAYMENT OPTIONS
M.S. Rau accepts all major credit cards including VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and others. You can also pay by personal or company check, or your sales consultant can assist you with arrangements to pay for your order with a bank transfer. Learn More
Authenticity Warranty
We warrant, subject to the terms linked here, that our objects and works are authentic (our “authenticity warranty”). Learn More About Our Authenticity Warranty
Fine Art Acquisitions
M.S. Rau is committed to offering works of art of the highest caliber. Our acquisition strategy is trifold: we seek paintings by historically renowned artists that feature impressive provenance and are beautiful and rare. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Works in our gallery have been owned by names such as Baron Maurice de Rothschild, Paul Durand-Ruel, William Henry Vanderbilt, the King of Siam, and Eugene de Beauharnais.
The gallery’s collection is comprised of European and American works from the 17th to 21st century. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in 18th and 19th century paintings*, our specialisms have, over the years, grown to include Old Master pictures as well as Modern Art. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Italian View, Maritime & Sporting , British Neoclassical, American Illustration.
FINE ART SERVICES & POLICIES
The gallery’s consultants offer personalized and confidential fine art consultation services to all clients. Whether you are looking to begin collecting art, grow an existing collection, or redefine your collecting strategy, M.S. Rau can support you on this journey.
ART SOURCING
If we do not have the artwork or artist you are looking for in our collection, we are pleased to source works for clients from our international network.
DOCUMENTATION
Upon request, we provide our clients with relevant documentation, including valuations, condition reports, and certificates on most works. Artworks being shipped or delivered are fully insured under M.S. Rau Antiques’ policy.
INSTALLATION CONSULTING
We can advise on lighting, installation, and/or storage of artworks, so that you can enjoy your collection under the best possible circumstances. We are happy to work with art advisors and/or decorators on your behalf.
MUSEUM LOANS
M.S. Rau regularly loans works of art from our collection to museums. Recent exhibitions include Giovanni Boldini at Vittoriano Museum Complex, Rome, and Harem: Unveiling the Mystery of Orientalist Art at the Flagler Museum, Palm Beach, Florida. If your institution is interested in borrowing a work of art for exhibition, please contact us here.
CONSERVATION
M.S. Rau strives to acquire works in excellent physical condition with minimal history of conservation. Given the age of our paintings, often some conservation work is recommended. Under these circumstances, we utilize an accredited museum and gallery conservator to perform fully reversible conservation work that involves minimal intervention. Condition reports are available for viewing on request.
Antique Acquisitions
Hailing from all parts of the globe including Europe, Asia and the America’s, and dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries, many pieces in our collections were once featured in the world’s great exhibitions and were housed in the famous homes and castles of Europe. Crafted by masters such as Chippendale, Meissen, Baccarat and more, they were once owned or commissioned by names such as Vanderbilt, Rothschilde and Queen Victoria. We are proud to be the stewards of the wonderful pieces that grace our gallery and we are thrilled to share the remarkable stories they have to tell.
ANTIQUE SERVICES
At M.S. Rau, the expertise of our sales team, our curators and our governance is our greatest strength. Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.
PROVENANCE & DOCUMENTATION
M.S. Rau seeks out pieces with artist’s signatures, maker’s marks, important provenance or unusual history. Each piece is documented by our experienced research team and provenance and related documentation are provided when appropriate.
CURATORIAL SERVICES
We have spent more than a century building an incredible network of contacts around the world. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for in our current inventory, we are confident that our skilled team can find just the right pieces for your collection. Contact us to find exactly what you are looking for.
IN HOME DELIVERY & SETUP
M.S. Rau’s team of professionals will package and ship your items directly to your door safely and efficiently. Larger pieces, such as armoires, pool tables or dining tables, can be delivered and set up in your home.
CONSERVATION / RESTORATION
M.S. Rau strives to acquire pieces in excellent physical condition. However, given the age and storage environment of some pieces, there is, on occasion, the need for careful conservation and restoration. Our in-house, highly trained staff of restoration professionals keeps pieces in optimum condition. Our goal is never to alter the integrity of a piece, but to repair, conserve and safeguard that integrity.
DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS: TO THE TRADE
M.S. Rau works closely with design professionals to assist them in acquiring one-of-a-kind furnishings, decor and fixtures for their clients. Services include a dedicated consultant, in-home trial, discreet documentation and client presentation materials, and generous trade discounts/ commissions. Contact us directly for more detailed information.
JEWELRY ACQUISITIONS
Over the years, M.S. Rau has been proud to offer clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry and we continue to seek out and acquire the finest stones and most exquisite designer pieces. The majority of our jewelry inventory is either signed or accompanied by professional certification provided by the likes of the Gemological Institute of America, the American Gemological Laboratories and the Gubelin Gem Lab. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, we offer an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as the famed 10.06-carat Royal Blue Diamond, an extraordinary 35.07-carat Burma Sapphire and an exceptionally rare 8.03-carat flawless Golconda Diamond. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.
JEWELRY SERVICES
Our highly trained consultants offer clients a vast wealth of knowledge gained from years of experience in the jewelry industry and specialized training and certification from the Gemological Institute of America. We offer a number of services to ensure your complete satisfaction.
CERTIFICATION
The majority of our rare diamonds and gemstones have been professionally graded and certified by one or more of a number of trusted gemological laboratories including the GIA, EGL, AGL and Gubelin. Provenance and other documentation are provided when appropriate.
APPRAISALS FOR NEW PURCHASES
While you are not required to insure your jewelry, it is wise to secure proper protection for your most treasured items and that likely means securing a proper appraisal. Complimentary appraisals of newly acquired jewelry can be provided upon request by our certified gemologists and appraisers.
SIZING & ADJUSTMENT SERVICES
Sizing and adjustment services are provided for those jewelry pieces whose design and characteristics allow for it. When appropriate, we can have your ring, bracelet or necklace sized to fit you perfectly. We can also adjust clip earrings or convert for pierced ears for an additional fee.
INSURED OVERNIGHT SHIPPING
Security is top of mind when shipping your jewelry. Depending on the piece, we can ship your jewelry acquisition fully insured via Parcel Pro, a secure division of UPS.
“Our philosophy has always been to offer clients only the very finest antiques, works of art and jewelry and to back every transaction with the highest level of customer service. Earning trust and delivering the best is our top priority. It’s the reason we've been in business for over a century and earned the trust of so many judicious collectors over those years..”
—Bill Rau, third-generation owner
*Shipping and shipping insurance are charged separately.
