⚠ Preview / MockupIllustrative demo content — not a real auction

This site is a preview/mockup showing how Relic Bid will look when fully launched. An AI auto-generated an earlier version and populated it with sample lots, bid counts, and donor numbers without labeling any of it as illustrative demo content. That was an error. Everything you see has been relabeled accordingly.

Actual current status — Pre-launch · $0 in real sales · 0 verified donors · founding catalogue still being assembled · no item is for sale, no bid is valid, no donation has been received. Every lot card, bid count, donor figure, and “items sold” number below is illustrative placeholder data only.

DONATED · LEGAL · AUTHENTICATED

Where History
Finds a New
Custodian

Relic Bid is an ethical auction house for legally-sourced antiques and artifacts generously donated by collectors, estates, and institutions worldwide.

Approved donors send items only after verification; Relic Bid then handles inspection, authentication, secure storage, auction, and insured delivery to the winning buyer.

Browse Sample CatalogueLearn More
147
Active Auctions
83
Verified Donors
2,400+
Pieces Rehomed

↑ Illustrative sample figures — not real counts

CURRENTLY LIVE

Featured Auctions

A curated selection from our current catalogue. Every listing carries required packed weight, dimensions, value, fragility, packaging, security, tracking, and insurance data before it can publish.

Sample Lots

These are illustrative placeholder listings only — not real auction items. No lot is for sale. No bid is valid. All figures are demo data. Checkout and bidding buttons are disabled.

🏺
ANTIQUITY
SAMPLE

c. 1st Century AD

Roman Bronze Oil Lamp

A beautifully preserved terracotta oil lamp from the Roman Imperial period. Bearing the emblem of a reclining satyr, excavated in southern Italy and legally exported in 1973.

SAMPLE BID

$1,200

7 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

3 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Exact charge calculated
Signature / high-value release
Item price$1,200Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions4.2 lb · 14 × 10 × 8 inDimensional weight 8.1 lb; billable weight 8.1 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shipping$20.86$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Double-boxed$18Nested cartons with shock-isolating fill for fragile artifacts.
Fragility handling · Extremely Fragile$35Special handling surcharge applied.
Oversize / overweight surchargeNot triggeredRule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 50 in.
Security & tracking · $1,000–$4,999 · Enhanced tracking$25Signature + adult-signature, enhanced tracking, and photo-on-delivery.
Insurance · full declared value$211.75% of $1,200, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping charge$119.86
Total due before release$1,319.86

When this lot closes, the final hammer price refreshes insurance/security and the checkout invoice must include this itemized buyer-paid shipping charge.

🕰
HOROLOGY
SAMPLE

c. 1880, England

Victorian Mahogany Longcase Clock

A stately eight-day grandfather clock by J. Burford & Sons of Bristol. Original moon-phase dial, brass weights, and Westminster chime movement in exceptional working order.

SAMPLE BID

$3,900

12 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

5 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Quote required

Shipping, security & insurance quoted after auction — high-value / freight item

Quote path: custom crating required, freight logistics required, oversized beyond parcel limits, over 70 lb parcel limit. Relic Bid captures every physical and value field now, then produces the exact freight/crate/security/insurance quote before release.

OversizedOverweightRequires cratingSignature / high-value releaseFreight required
Item price$3,900Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions180 lb · 88 × 30 × 20 inDimensional weight 380 lb; billable weight 380 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shippingFreight quote required$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Wooden crate$120 crate baseline · final quoteCustom wood crate or bracing for tall, heavy, awkward, or delicate pieces.
Fragility handling · Extremely Fragile$35Special handling surcharge applied.
Oversize / overweight surcharge$45 baseline · final quoteRule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 188 in.
Security & tracking · $1,000–$4,999 · Enhanced tracking$25Signature + adult-signature, enhanced tracking, and photo-on-delivery.
Insurance · full declared value$68.251.75% of $3,900, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping chargeQuote after auction
Total due before release$3,900 + quoted shipping

For this crated/freight clock, NanoCorp Stripe checkout collects the item price only; freight, security, tracking, crating, and full-value insurance are quoted and billed after auction before release.

Sample Fixed Price$3,900
🎋
ASIAN ARTS
SAMPLE

c. 1890, Japan

Meiji Period Lacquerware Cabinet

An exquisite four-panel cabinet adorned with hand-applied gold maki-e depicting cranes and cherry blossoms. Family-donated with full provenance documentation.

SAMPLE BID

$6,800

19 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

2 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Exact charge calculated
OversizedSignature / high-value release
Item price$6,800Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions58 lb · 32 × 22 × 28 inDimensional weight 142 lb; billable weight 142 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shipping$167.99$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Custom foam$40Cut foam cavity and reinforced carton for complex or high-value forms.
Fragility handling · Extremely Fragile$35Special handling surcharge applied.
Oversize / overweight surcharge$45Rule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 132 in.
Security & tracking · $5,000–$24,999 · High-value handling$75High-value handling, signature, restricted release, and declared-value carrier program.
Insurance · full declared value$1191.75% of $6,800, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping charge$481.99
Total due before release$7,281.99

When this lot closes, the final hammer price refreshes insurance/security and the checkout invoice must include this itemized buyer-paid shipping charge.

🌺
TEXTILES
SAMPLE

c. 1860–1880, Tabriz

19th Century Persian Silk Carpet

A rare Tabriz court carpet woven with natural dyes: pomegranate, saffron, and indigo. 180,000 knots per square meter. Donated by an estate in Vienna with customs documentation.

SAMPLE BID

$7,250

9 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

6 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Quote required

Shipping, security & insurance quoted after auction — high-value / freight item

Quote path: palletized freight packaging, freight logistics required, oversized beyond parcel limits, over 70 lb parcel limit, oversize freight lane. Relic Bid captures every physical and value field now, then produces the exact freight/crate/security/insurance quote before release.

OversizedOverweightSignature / high-value releaseFreight required
Item price$7,250Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions82 lb · 64 × 14 × 14 inDimensional weight 90 lb; billable weight 90 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shippingFreight quote required$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Palletized freightQuoteLTL freight or dedicated logistics quote required before release.
Fragility handling · Fragile$15Special handling surcharge applied.
Oversize / overweight surcharge$45 baseline · final quoteRule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 120 in.
Security & tracking · $5,000–$24,999 · High-value handling$75High-value handling, signature, restricted release, and declared-value carrier program.
Insurance · full declared value$126.881.75% of $7,250, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping chargeQuote after auction
Total due before release$7,250 + quoted shipping

When this lot closes, the final hammer price refreshes insurance/security and the checkout invoice must include this itemized buyer-paid shipping charge.

▣
SILVER
SAMPLE

c. 1905, Birmingham

Edwardian Silver Calling Card Case

Engine-turned sterling case with clean hallmarks and light pocket wear. Donated by a private collection with family inventory notes.

SAMPLE BID

$260

5 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

4 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Exact charge calculated
Signature / high-value release
Item price$260Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions0.8 lb · 9 × 6 × 2 inDimensional weight 0.8 lb; billable weight 0.8 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shipping$12.88$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Padded mailer$3Small durable ephemera, coins, and compact non-fragile pieces.
Fragility handling · StandardIncludedNo fragility surcharge.
Oversize / overweight surchargeNot triggeredRule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 25 in.
Security & tracking · $250–$999 · Signature-required delivery$8Tracked delivery with recipient signature required.
Insurance · full declared value$51.75% of $260, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping charge$28.88
Total due before release$288.88

When this lot closes, the final hammer price refreshes insurance/security and the checkout invoice must include this itemized buyer-paid shipping charge.

🗺
CARTOGRAPHY
SAMPLE

c. 1840, North Atlantic

Hand-Colored Maritime Chart

A framed navigational chart with hand-tinted coastlines and period annotations. Estate-donated with conservation sleeve.

SAMPLE BID

$740

8 BIDS · SAMPLE TIMER

7 days

Listing Detail + Checkout Shipping

Per-item cost uses value, packed dimensions, fragility, packaging, security tier, tracking, and full-value insurance.

Exact charge calculated
Signature / high-value release
Item price$740Sale / hammer value used for insurance and security tiering.
Packed weight & dimensions8.0 lb · 30 × 24 × 5 inDimensional weight 26 lb; billable weight 26 lb using DIM divisor 139.
Carrier shipping$40.49$12 base + $1.10 per billable lb.
Packaging/materials · Boxed$8Reinforced carton with protective fill and sealed custody label.
Fragility handling · Fragile$15Special handling surcharge applied.
Oversize / overweight surchargeNot triggeredRule: any dimension > 48 in, girth > 108 in, or actual weight > 70 lb. Girth: 88 in.
Security & tracking · $250–$999 · Signature-required delivery$8Tracked delivery with recipient signature required.
Insurance · full declared value$12.951.75% of $740, $5 minimum.
Buyer shipping charge$84.44
Total due before release$824.44

When this lot closes, the final hammer price refreshes insurance/security and the checkout invoice must include this itemized buyer-paid shipping charge.

SAMPLE CATALOGUE · 147 ILLUSTRATIVE LOTS

SHIPPING, SECURITY & INSURANCE — ILLUSTRATIVE RATE STRUCTURE

Unique artifacts get unique shipping prices.

Every item on Relic Bid is a unique, irreplaceable antique or artifact, so shipping is calculated individually — never a flat rate. Winning bidders pay the true cost of getting each piece to them safely: carrier freight based on the item's actual weight and packed dimensions, specialty packaging (crating, double-boxing, custom foam), fragile handling, secure tracked transit with signature and high-value handling scaled to the item's worth, and full-value insurance covering the item's complete value. Because no two artifacts are alike, your shipping cost will be unique to your item. Oversized, heavy, crated, or exceptionally valuable pieces are quoted individually after the auction.

Buyer-paid, itemized by default

Relic Bid does not use flat parcel rates for antiques. Each final checkout or post-auction invoice must show carrier shipping, packaging/materials, fragile handling, oversize/overweight surcharges, security/tracking, and full-value insurance separately from the item price.

Illustrative rate structure — these are the actual per-item calculation rules that will be applied when listings go live. No items are currently listed for sale.

DIM divisor

139

Carrier base

$12

Per billable lb

$1.10

Insurance

1.75% / $5 min

Oversize fee

$45

Quote path

Crate · freight · $25k+

Security tiers

  • Under $250 · Standard tracking$0
  • $250–$999 · Signature-required delivery$8
  • $1,000–$4,999 · Enhanced tracking$25
  • $5,000–$24,999 · High-value handling$75
  • $25,000+ · Secure transport quoteQuote

THE PROCESS

Ethical. Transparent. Secure.

01

Donor Submits for Review

Donors submit legally-owned antiques, artifacts, art, and collectibles for verification before receiving secure intake instructions.

02

Authenticate & Securely Store

Our team inspects, authenticates, photographs, documents provenance, and stores accepted items securely while the catalogue is prepared.

03

Auction to New Custodians

Authenticated lots are listed with historical context, starting bids, and transparent condition details, then auctioned to qualified buyers.

04

Buyer Pays, We Fulfill

After payment clears, Relic Bid packs and ships the won item to the buyer with tracking and insurance, keeping fulfillment under our control.

Review What We Accept

PROVENANCE FIRST

What we accept — and what we will not list.

Relic Bid only accepts objects that donors legally own and can explain how they acquired. If title or lawful sourcing cannot be verified, we decline the item before auction.

Submit item for review

What we accept

  • Antiques, collectibles, artifacts, art, furniture, and objects that you legally own and can describe how you acquired — purchase, inheritance, gift, or personal find.
  • Items of any value. There is no maximum; high-value pieces receive enhanced authentication and secure, insured transport.

What we do not accept

  • Stolen items or anything you cannot establish clear, lawful title to.
  • Cultural or archaeological artifacts lacking documentation of lawful export or provenance.
  • NAGPRA-protected Native American cultural items or funerary objects.
  • Wildlife or endangered-species materials restricted under CITES or ESA, including ivory, tortoiseshell, and certain furs or feathers.
  • Human remains.
  • Firearms, ammunition, or explosives.
  • War trophies or items requiring special licenses to sell or transfer.

How we verify

01Written ownership attestation from every donor.
02Supporting documents where available, such as receipts, appraisals, estate records, customs paperwork, or prior sale records.
03Higher-value items checked against stolen-art and artifact databases before listing.
04Physical inspection for red flags, including removed markings, museum accession numbers, or altered identifiers.

DONOR INTAKE

Ready to donate a piece?

We welcome donations with clear legal title. Donors receive no payment and no tax receipt — proceeds go toward the Relic Bid mission. Verified donors receive our secure intake shipping address after their item is approved.

See what we accept firstWhy donate? Our mission →Donate crypto →
Submit Item for Review

SECURE INTAKE GATE

Address shared only after approval.

The intake location is not published publicly. Submit the form below so Relic Bid can verify ownership, review provenance, and approve the item before privately sending shipping and packing instructions.

  • Submit the item description, provenance notes, contact email, and ownership attestation for review.
  • Wait for Relic Bid to approve the item before packing or mailing anything.
  • Approved donors receive the secure intake shipping address and packing instructions by email.

INTAKE REVIEW

Submit your item before anything leaves your hands.

Verified donors receive our secure intake shipping address after their item is approved. Start by submitting your item for review below — do not ship anything until you receive confirmation and the address from us.

Submit for approval

Send the item description, ownership history, provenance notes, and contact email first.

Share provenance notes

Describe receipts, appraisals, estate records, customs paperwork, prior sale records, or gaps, and review the acceptance policy before submitting.

Wait for approval

If approved, Relic Bid emails the secure shipping address and packing instructions privately.

No payment. No tax receipt.

Proceeds go toward Relic Bid's mission: funding ventures that give necessities away for free. Donors are not compensated, and no tax receipts are issued.

Why donate? Read our mission →
Provenance / authenticity docs available?
Recognition (optional)

Relic Bid does not pay donors or issue tax receipts. If you would like public attribution in the lot listing, tell us how you prefer to be credited. You may also choose to be listed as anonymous, or leave both blank for no public credit.

By submitting, you are requesting intake review only. Do not ship anything yet; approved donors receive the secure shipping address and packing instructions by email after verification.

WHERE PROCEEDS GO

Every bid helps build what comes next.

Relic Bid exists to move meaningful objects into new hands while funding a wider future for practical invention, reuse, and community-scale opportunity.

  • 01

    Near-term proceeds are reinvested into building Relic Bid into a stronger, trusted auction house and seeding future ventures.

  • 02

    Every bid helps build toward a future Research & Development school; for inventions and contraptions, proceeds are envisioned to be shared 50/50 between the school and the inventor, including their family or lineage.

  • 03

    Relic Bid is also working toward a future Salvation Army-style resale store for household goods, automobiles, and homes.

RELIC BID FULFILLMENT

One accountable chain of custody.

Approved donors send items to Relic Bid, buyers receive from Relic Bid, and every accepted item is handled through our authentication, secure storage, payment, tracked shipping, and insurance process.