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Suitable items

Tribal Art submission guidelines

We carefully select Tribal art objects to maintain high-quality and legal standards. We strive to only accept authentic artefacts and modern and decorative objects that meet strict cultural heritage regulations and are valued at minimum €100. Our experts verify provenance and condition to ensure bidders find unique objects.

Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of a successful sale.

What we accept

We’re looking for collectable, tribal and folk art objects originating from the regions mentioned below that appeal to collectors and passionate enthusiasts. To be accepted, your object must:

For all submissions:

Have cultural, historic or decorative value
Be from:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Oceania (including New Zealand and Australia)
- Indonesia (tribal and non-tribal)
- Malaysia and the Philippines
- Ethnic groups in mainland Asia (e.g. Naga, Hmong, Miao, Hilltribes, Nepalese shamanic cultures)
- Japanese, Vietnamese and Taiwan tribal cultures
- North, Central, and South America
- Sami and Inuit cultures, including Siberia
Be in any condition, but damage must be declared and clearly shown. Note: approval stays at discretion of the expert.
Be accompanied by detailed provenance information, including a signed Declaration of Legal Origin where requested or necessary.
Be from countries that comply with:
- the 1970 UNESCO Convention
- CITES and/or Birds Directive
- export and cultural heritage laws of the country of origin and the seller’s location
- national licensing requirements
Meet the minimum expected value of €100
(You can combine objects in one submission to meet this threshold)

For silver & gold objects:

Have clear images of hallmarks. If unmarked, the object must be tested via a jeweller or acid test and the test method with images needs to be included in the submission. Note: without proof, objects should be labeled as metal or low-content silver/gold and will be valued as such.
Have purity level (e.g. 925 silver) and weight stated

What increases your chances of approval:

Clear legal provenance supported by documents or declarations
High-quality and well-preserved pieces (intact or professionally restored)
Objects with museum, collection, or literature references

📌 Examples of accepted objects:

What we do not accept

To keep our auctions high-quality and trustworthy, we do not accept:

Objects with unclear or illegal provenance
Objects dating before 1200 should be submitted to the Archaeology auctions
Western-made objects in tribal style or African/Asian-themed paintings by Western artists
Prohibited materials, including:
- Human remains (except replicas)
- Rhino horn, ivory (except pre-1900 Indonesian ivory with full documentation)
- All CITES protected species post 1947 (protected under Appendix I annex A)
Man-made modern materials like polystone, resin, or ivorine. An exception is made for beads made out of phenolic resin and dating from the first half/mid 20th century in the theme auction African Beads & Adornments. These items can be accepted.
Objects that have been restored in order to deceive or altered in a way that the object has lost its original purpose
Weapons that violate EU or Dutch arms regulations

Note: Catawiki will report suspected illegally sourced items to the Dutch Cultural Heritage Inspectorate.

📌 Examples of rejected objects:

Getting your submission ready

1. Fill in all the details and write a clear description

When you submit an object, you’ll see fields to guide you in providing the right information — such as object type, indigenous object name, ethnic group, region or country of origin, material, period, condition, dimensions (cm), weight (g).etc. These fields ensure your listing is clear, searchable, and easy for bidders to understand.

Please also use the object description field to share:

Provenance: acquisition date and place, supported by invoice or catalogue image
Condition: describe any damage clearly in text (do not rely on photos alone)
Cultural or ritual use (if applicable)
Frame or stand details and dimensions
For jewellery: close-up images and maker's mark if present
For silver or gold: test result or hallmark photo, stated weight and purity

Tip: The more detail you provide, the easier it is for bidders to understand the value of your object – and the more likely it is to sell. Find here more tips on how to write a clear, accurate description.

📌 If applicable, include this sentence in your object description (mandatory for all regulated cultural objects):

“The supplier warrants that they obtained this object in a legal manner. The seller guarantees that they are entitled to sell/export this lot and will arrange any necessary permits.”

2. Great photos matter

Photos are the first thing bidders see – so make them count! We recommend including at least 5 high-quality images that clearly show the condition and details of your object. This helps bidders make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful sale.

Your photos should include:

For all submissions:

All sides/angles of the object
Underside/back
Close-ups of details: marks, inscriptions, flaws, decorative elements
All visible damage and restoration work

For grouped submissions:

Group photos and individual shots

Tip: Avoid photos with people, selfies, or screenshots. Use a neutral background (white or black), avoid low-quality or stock images, and aim for natural lighting. Find here more tips on how to take professional photos.

📌 Examples of good vs. bad photos:

3. Additional proof of authenticity, provenance and legal compliance

We pay extra attention to ensure authenticity and legal compliance of objects to protect bidders and ensure a trustworthy marketplace.

You will be requested to provide:

✔ A Declaration of Legal Origin, signed by the current owner

Depending on the object type, you will be also requested to provide:

✔ Article 10 Certificate (for relevant CITES protected materials)

✔ Invoice, previous auction listing, or dealer statement

✔ Appraisal report (for ivory dated pre-1900)

Where necessary for sellers outside of the EU:

✔ You must provide either an export licence or importer statement as per recent EU Import regulations for Cultural Heritage.

📌 Examples of proof of authenticity and provenance:

Requirements for import & export of cultural objects

Selling archaeological objects involves legal responsibilities. Sellers must ensure all items are lawfully sourced and legally transferable across borders.

As a seller, you are responsible for:

Confirming whether you are allowed to sell/export the item from your country
Checking whether the item is permitted to be imported by the buyer’s country
Applying for any required export licence
Sharing the status of licences or shipping restrictions with the buyer

📌 Reminder: many EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) require an export licence for all cultural property, even when shipping within the EU.

Shipping tips:

Always include provenance documentation in the shipment
Provide a clear and accurate description of the object and its origin
Never ship an object until all required permits or approvals are in place

International legal framework for trading antiquities

Catawiki adheres to strict cultural protection laws, including:

The 1970 UNESCO Convention on the prohibition of illicit import/export of cultural property
The Hague Convention (1954) and its protocols
EU Directives and Regulations regarding export and return of unlawfully removed items
The ICOM Red Lists for at-risk cultural goods from conflict zones (e.g. Syria, Iraq)
The Washington Principles and Terezin Declaration for Nazi-era looted art
CITES and EU Birds Directive

Objects that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. If we suspect an item may be illegally sourced, it will be reported to the Dutch Cultural Heritage Inspectorate.

Declaration of Legal Origin

Every submission must be accompanied by a Declaration of Legal Origin signed by the seller. This document is essential for verifying provenance and ensuring compliance with international law. The declaration will be shown in the listing, excluding personal details (in compliance with GDPR).

It must include:

Object description (type, culture, material, dimensions, age)
Date and place of acquisition
From whom it was acquired and who owned it before
Initials of previous owner(s), with approximate years of ownership
Documents to support provenance (auction records, literature, photos, etc.)
A statement indicating whether these documents will be passed to the buyer

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