Created in 1948, the National Chamber of Commerce for antique and second hand dealers and modern and contemporary art galleries ( SNCAO-GA) consists of 2000 specialized or general antiquarians, art gallery owners and second hand dealers.

In 1988 the SNCAO-GA created  the “Companie d’Experts Français en Antiquités” ( Company of French valuators in antiques) and in 1998 created the Committee of Ethics for organizers of fairs and antique shows. In the same year a charter was drafted involving the respect of a number of ethical rules. The SNCAO-GA invented the mark of quality: “France Europe Antiquités Qualité ” attributed to shows by professionals of all levels respecting the slogan’ ”The object is sold for what it is”.

The SNCAO-GA is a national association, active in the Paris area with the government offices of guardianship, large administrations and in all areas where documents associated with art markets, their legislation and fiscal matters are discussed ( Observatoire du Marché de l’Art et Comité de Liaison).

The SNCAO-GA is also deeply rooted in the French provinces and paired with the major regional syndicates and departmental associations  of antique and second hand dealers ( Chambre Syndicale des Antiquaires et Brocanteurs de Bordeaux et de la Gironde, Syndicat des Antiquaires et Brocanteurs de Marseille et sa Région, Syndicat Lorrain des Professionnels de l’Antiquité, etc.).

Because of the great number and diversity of its adherents, the SNCAO-GA is representative on the whole of the French market of Antique and second hand dealers.