Antiques, glassware, display pieces: borrowing against art

What counts as an art object

The Crédit Municipal de Paris lists art objects separately from paintings and sculptures. For a painting, see pawning paintings; for a bronze or a marble, see pawning sculptures.

Antiques and ornaments in Bordeaux

The Crédit Municipal de Bordeaux accepts old art objects in good condition, such as antiques and ornaments. It points out that only items with a value on the public sales market can serve as a pledge.

Modern and contemporary art: certificate required

For a modern or contemporary piece, Bordeaux asks for a certificate or guarantee card and the purchase invoice. The deposit must be made in person by the owner, and an appointment is needed for any item other than jewellery.

Glass and pâte de verre in Reims

The Crédit Municipal de Reims accepts vases in glass or pâte de verre as well as bronzes. It recommends calling ahead for specialist items, since the appraiser is only present on Monday late mornings, except in August.

The Paris offer for high-value works

With its loans on artworks and high-value objects, the CMP announces 50 to 60% of the estimated value, paid immediately by banker's draft or transfer, through a named one-year contract renewable with the agreement of CC ART.

Five or six million: two published figures

The CMP artworks page mentions a loan of up to six million euros, while the simulator on its rates page stops at five million. The discrepancy appears on two official pages: only the institution can confirm the applicable ceiling.

An appraisal report, not a title of ownership

The Crédit Municipal de Paris issues an appraisal report drawn up by specialists in each field. This document does not serve as proof of ownership: it describes the item and justifies the valuation used for the loan.

Appraisers and regulated fees

Articles D514-2 and D514-5 of the Code monétaire et financier entrust valuation to judicial auctioneers, appointed for three years, whose remuneration may not exceed 0.50% of the amount of the loans concerned.

Storage in the CC ART facilities

Launched by the Crédit Municipal de Paris in September 2018, CC ART claims 3,600 m² of secure storage, strongrooms and secure transport within the Paris region. Items pledged under the premium offer are kept there.

Annual cost of a loan on an art object

The Paris scale displays an APR of 9.90% for a loan of €501 to €6,000 and 5.30% above that. For a loan of €25,000, that band represents a cost of about €1,325 over a year, storage fees included.

Voluntary sale and surplus paid out

Three months after deposit, the borrower may request the sale of the item. The CMP holds Paintings and Art Objects sessions, such as the one on 25 April 2024; after repayment and fees, the surplus is paid to the depositor.

Ivory and prohibited materials

An item containing ivory or elephant hair is refused in Paris; Bordeaux also rules out ivory and coral. Other accepted categories are listed in the guide to items accepted as a pledge in France.

Contacts for pawning an art object

• Crédit Municipal de Paris: Accepts art objects and offers loans on high-value works of 50 to 60%.
• CC ART: Crédit Municipal de Paris brand created in 2018: secure storage, strongrooms, transport and access to sales.
• Crédit Municipal de Bordeaux: Takes old art objects in good condition; certificate and invoice required for contemporary art.
• Crédit Municipal de Reims: Accepts vases in glass or pâte de verre and bronzes, appraiser present on Monday mornings.

Pawning an art object in five stages

1. Gather the certificate of authenticity, invoice, provenance and photos of the item, then check it contains no ivory or coral.
2. Book an appointment, as Bordeaux requires one for items other than jewellery, and Reims advises calling ahead.
3. Deposit the item in person, with your identity papers, proof of address and bank details.
4. Receive the valuation and, for the Paris premium offer, the appraisal report written by a specialist in the field.
5. Sign the named contract, then repay, renew with the institution's agreement or request the sale after three months.

Key terms for an art object

Supporting documents for an art object

• Certificate of authenticity
• Purchase or auction invoice
• Photo identification
• Proof of address
• Bank details in your name
• Proof of income from €10,000

Common mistakes with art objects

• Offering a reproduction or a recent decorative item with no public sale value while presenting it as an art object.
• Asking a third party to make the deposit in Bordeaux, where the owner must attend in person with the supporting documents.
• Treating the CMP appraisal report as proof of ownership, which according to the institution itself it does not constitute.
• Relying on the six million ceiling without checking, when another official CMP page states five million euros.
• Presenting a piece containing ivory, which the Paris and Bordeaux institutions refuse whatever its artistic interest.

General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.