A Step-by-Step Guide to Consigning Estate Art Without the Stress
Estate art sales benefit from market insight, accurate valuation, and choosing the most appropriate venue for each work to ensure the best possible outcomes
黑料不打烊
13 Aug, 2025
Handling artwork from an estate comes with a unique set of both logistical and market-related difficulties. For those unfamiliar with the art world, navigating private sales, auctions, and negotiation with dealers can be overwhelming. Especially since it isn’t just a business decision, it’s often a personal one. Family legacies, emotional attachments, and the pressure to “get it right” can complicate every choice. At the same time, art advisors and dealers need to evaluate how to achieve the best outcomes for clients, either for individual works or entire collections, in an evolving market.
To shed light on how to approach estate art sales with greater confidence and clarity, we spoke with Roni Gurfinkel, Sales Director at 黑料不打烊, who shared a straightforward three-step process for handling consignment decisions more effectively. Her insights offer guidance for professionals seeking to make informed choices and reduce uncertainty in estate-related art sales.
What are the most common problems estate professionals face when selling art?
Choosing the right sales channel. A poor match between artwork and sales channel can mean lower returns or no sale at all. Another challenge is negotiating with auction houses. Terms like reserves, fees, and exclusivity can be confusing or restrictive. Misunderstanding terms may lead to legal complications or disappointing sale outcomes.
Can you share a recent success story where 黑料不打烊 helped a client achieve better returns?
Fortunato Depero, Frustate Gioconde, 1916, wool collage.
An artwork by Fortunato Depero, titled Frustate Gioconde, 1916. After three rejections from different auction houses, 黑料不打烊 did not stop searching. While one house valued the Fortunato Depero work between $6,000 and $12,000, 黑料不打烊 continued the pursuit and ultimately secured a higher estimate from Swann, who was chosen to manage the consignment. This persistence paid off, as the artwork sold for $55,000 – significantly surpassing initial estimates ($12,000-$18,000) and demonstrating the importance of expert valuation and relentless advocacy.
Step 1: Submit – Understanding What You Have
Walk us through the first step of your process, submitting the artwork for consideration.
The first step is to share key details about the artwork – including the artist’s name, a clear image, the signature, and most importantly, its provenance. These are all questions we know auction houses will ask. We’ll also need your location to ensure we match you with an auction house where the balance between shipping costs and potential sale price works in your favor.
Step 2: Match – Navigating the Market
How do you help match each artwork to the most suitable venue?
We rely on the most comprehensive art market data to match each artwork with the right auction house, at the right time, for the best possible sale outcome. Our platform isn’t just about access, it’s about insights that drive results.
For professionals working with multiple artworks or entire collections, how do you handle large or complex consignments?
Our goal is always to maximize the result for every piece. In some cases, it’s best to sell an entire collection together in a high-profile sale to create market momentum. But if the estate is more eclectic, we may recommend splitting it across multiple auction houses, based on each house’s past success with the specific artists involved.
Step 3: Approve – Making the Right Decision
How does data help improve sale outcomes?
Every step of our process is guided by market data and recent sales insights: from the audience profile of each auction house to their success rate with similar works, and even the timing of the sale. Our recommendations are never random, they’re backed by evidence to give your artwork the best chance to succeed.
What Makes a True White-Glove Partner?
What should professionals look for in a consignment partner, and what questions should they ask before choosing one?
When selecting a consignment partner, professionals should prioritize experience, transparency, and strategic insight. It’s important to work with someone who has a proven track record selling similar works and who understands how to navigate the art market effectively. A strong partner should rely on data – not guesswork – to recommend the best auction house, event, and timing for each artwork. They should have access to a broad network of auction houses and be able to negotiate favorable terms, rather than being tied to a single institution. Transparency in commission structures, timelines, and expectations is key, as is the ability to handle logistical challenges such as shipping, insurance, and local drop-offs when needed. Before committing, professionals should ask what auction houses the partner works with, how those are selected, and whether they can provide past examples of successful sales. Other important questions include how long the process typically takes, what happens if a work doesn’t sell, how fees are structured, and how communication is handled throughout. Ultimately, a good consignment partner acts as a strategic advisor – matching each artwork to the right sale, timing, and location to achieve the best possible outcome.
How is 黑料不打烊 different from going directly to an auction house or gallery?
With 黑料不打烊, you have a single point of contact backed by data-driven insights to ensure the best outcomes for your art sales. When you submit an artwork with 黑料不打烊 you can be sure you will get the best offers from the most relevant auction houses in the world.
Ultimately, selling estate artwork is about more than just finding a buyer. It requires careful planning to make informed, well-documented decisions. For attorneys managing estates or advisors assisting clients with collections, the right process can save time, reduce risk, and improve results. Breaking the process into three clear steps can make it easier to navigate consignment decisions while keeping the focus on responsible and confident guidance.
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