Services

Auction Advisory

Opportunities + Due Diligence

Buyer Representation

At its best, buying at auction represents opportunity: to acquire works that may not be available again for years, decades, or even a lifetime; to find gems others have overlooked; or to buy with the kind of transparency — public records, comparable sales, open competition — that the private market rarely provides.

We help you realize those opportunities with a sharp eye for art historical relevance, rigorous due diligence, and the instincts — developed over decades — to know when to move decisively and when to pause and reconsider.

When we represent buyers, we provide:

  • Pre-sale research and catalogue review — reviewing upcoming sales to identify works worth your attention.

  • Condition reporting and in-person previews — we examine every work in person, with a conservator if necessary, and give you an unvarnished assessment of condition and quality.

  • Provenance due diligence — researching ownership history and flagging anything that warrants closer scrutiny before a bid is placed. Even at the major houses, provenance research is not infallible — works move through large institutions quickly, and it is not uncommon for something to have fallen through the cracks. Where we have any doubt, we recommend additional independent research before proceeding.

  • Pricing and market analysis — pulling comparable sales and giving you an honest read on value, so you can make informed decisions.

  • Bidding strategy — working out together how to approach a lot, when to come in, and how to read the room on the day.

  • Anonymous representation at auction — bidding on your behalf so your name, your interest, and your limit stay entirely private

  • Post-sale logistics — coordinating payment, shipping, insurance, as well as storage, framing and installation when needed.

Seller Representation

The major auction houses are global platforms with genuine power to generate competition and command attention for exceptional works. What happens behind the scenes — the negotiation, the strategy, the contractual details — determines whether that power works in your favor.

Estimates and proposals often vary widely between houses — and the differences matter. Houses compete for consignments, and their terms and commitments can differ as significantly as their numbers. We cut through that — with independent valuations, comparative analysis, and clear projections — so the strategy we recommend is grounded in research rather than optimism.

When we represent sellers, we provide:

  • Sale strategy and house selection — we discreetly approach and negotiate with the major houses to secure the most favorable terms — analyzing competing proposals, structuring guarantees and other financial incentives, and advocating for meaningful marketing commitments — all in service of driving the strongest possible outcome.

  • Provenance research — conducting independent pre-sale research to get ahead of any issues that could derail momentum, attract unwanted scrutiny, or result in a lot being withdrawn after it is publicly listed.

  • Reserve and estimate strategy — advising on where to set the reserve and published estimates in order to motivate buyers and generate bids.

  • Pre-sale condition and restoration review — inspecting the work and advising on whether cleaning, restoration, or reframing is appropriate before it goes to market, then overseeing that process with conservators we know and trust.

  • Photography and condition report review — ensuring the house's photography and condition report accurately represent the work before they are published and seen by prospective buyers worldwide.

  • Catalogue and marketing oversight — reviewing the house's catalogue entry for accuracy and scholarly integrity, monitoring presale marketing commitments, and ensuring your work receives appropriate visibility across previews, specialist outreach, and any relevant private client events.

  • Sale week representation — when opportunities arise around irrevocable bids, third-party guarantees, or last-minute financing requests, we negotiate terms on tight deadlines, up to the final moments before the hammer falls.

  • Withdrawal and buy-in strategy — advising in advance on the financial and reputational consequences if a work fails to sell.

  • Post-sale settlement — monitoring payment timelines, reviewing settlement accounting for accuracy, and managing delivery logistics where needed.

  • Tax and legal coordination — liaising with your attorney or financial advisor on sale structure, timing, and any tax implications, export license, or other legal requirements that bear on the transaction.

The specialists at the major houses are extraordinary at what they do. Our independent counsel works in tandem with their expertise — not in opposition to it — and that combination, focused entirely on your outcome, is what we bring to every sale.

Get in Touch

Interested in discussing a fine art acquisition, sale, or estate strategy? Art+Estates provides independent advisory services for collectors, fiduciaries, attorneys, and professional advisors navigating significant art assets. Call +1 646-535-9542 to schedule a confidential consultation.

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