About us

The art market can be simpler, more transparent and more accessible.

MATER was founded by Francisco Franco de Sousa, João Júlio Rumsey Teixeira and Joana Varella Cid, three art historians with over 25 years’ combined experience in the sector, to achieve precisely that.

At MATER, we conduct auctions, estimates, appraisals, art consultancy and private sales in the fields of Antiques, Modern and Contemporary Art, Goldsmithing, Jewellery and Watches.

Experience is at the heart of MATER, but it need not make the market any more complicated. Quite the contrary. At MATER, we firmly believe that information should be clear, processes should be straightforward, and our relationship with those who buy or sell should be close.

At MATER, we also believe that knowledge is part of a work’s value. The more one knows about a piece, the better one understands its history, its significance and its value.

That is why sharing knowledge and bringing new audiences closer to art and collecting are part of what MATER aims to build.

All art is matter. At MATER, its value grows with knowledge.