Who does what?
Distinguish the auctioneer from the specialist.
A sale is a team effort. A specialist researches objects and advises on cataloguing and estimates. A registrar tracks objects and movements. Client services handles registration and bidder support. The auctioneer conducts bidding; a clerk records the result.
These roles sometimes overlap in smaller firms, but their responsibilities still need named owners. Knowing the artist is useful; knowing whom to ask is equally important.
A bidder asks whether a tear has been repaired. Refer the question to the specialist or conservator and obtain a documented response before giving an answer.
Try it yourself
Draw a handover from the owner to the specialist, registrar, auctioneer and buyer.