Sell your silverware in Lausanne and Vaud

From Lausanne: start with photographs

For silverware kept in Lausanne, Pully, Renens or Morges, photograph each type of cutlery and count the pieces. A clear inventory helps identify missing or mismatched items before transport. Cases and older documents are useful even if the weight is unknown.

MINERVE is based at Rue de Montchoisy 18, 1207 Geneva, and has no shop in Lausanne. Following the photographic assessment, we can agree an appointment in Lausanne during our weekly visits or at our Geneva address. The location, time and handover arrangements are confirmed beforehand.

Flatware and silver from Vaud estates

For an estate, begin with a shared inventory: number the lots, record quantities and keep matching pieces together. Tell us whether you need an offer to buy or a valuation for dividing an estate; these can involve different values. The person arranging a sale must be authorised to make that decision.

Before sending any silverware, agree packaging, transport, insurance and expenses with us. A first assessment can take place remotely, so you do not need to travel to Geneva merely to show us your objects.

Solid silver, silver plate and collectors’ value

Marks such as 800, 925 and 950 indicate silver fineness, but do not determine a selling price on their own. Maker, age, pattern, condition, repairs and completeness also matter. A hallmark must be read in context; an isolated number does not establish an object’s composition.

Knife handles, weighted candlesticks and composite pieces need particular care. Gross weight is not the weight of fine silver: steel blades, filling and other materials must be distinguished. Silver-plated objects are assessed separately for their decorative or collectors’ interest.

Prepare your free photographic assessment

• Photograph the complete object or service, then the hallmarks, signatures and any damage. Avoid polishing before the assessment.
• List the number of pieces, dimensions and any known weights. For flatware, separate forks, spoons, knives and serving pieces.
• Include your town and any invoices, family inventories or provenance documents.
• Send your photographs to sales@minerve.ch. The first assessment is free and without obligation; findings and any offer remain subject to physical inspection.

Outright purchase, private sale or consignment

For an outright purchase, MINERVE makes an offer after inspection and agrees the objects and payment terms with you. A consignment or private-sale mandate sets out commission, the agreed asking price or reserve, custody, any expenses and settlement after cleared payment.

For collectors’ silver, we consider whether the object should be offered intact to a collector or presented through an independent auction house. A valuation does not guarantee a selling price or deadline. Formal written valuations for insurance, estates or division of assets are quoted separately.