Selling an estate art collection
- Every request is reviewed by a licensed appraiser
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- Sellers worldwide, US-based team
An estate that includes art usually has a few works that deserve individual attention and many that are better sold together. The aim is to find out which is which before anything is sold, donated or given away.
Start with an inventory
- Number every work and photograph the front, signature and back
- Record size, room and any label or inscription
- Collect paperwork: invoices, insurance schedules, appraisals, correspondence
- Note anything that has been loaned, promised or is subject to a dispute
Sort into three groups
- Works by artists with a recorded auction market: consign individually
- Signed or interesting works by lesser-known artists: often grouped by theme or sold in online sales
- Decorative pictures and reproductions: sold together, donated, or kept by the family
Appraisal and estimate are different things
The estate may need a formal appraisal for tax, probate or dividing property between heirs. A free auction estimate tells you what could be achieved by selling. Using estimates first lets you pay for formal appraisals only where they are needed.
Selling the whole collection
If there are many works, ask for a conversation rather than a form. A specialist can look at your inventory and photos, tell you what stands out, and explain how a larger group could be consigned. You can also request a call and we will phone you within 48 hours.
This page is general information about selling art, not legal or tax advice. Rules differ by state and by estate, so check anything involving ownership, taxes or court approval with the estate’s attorney or accountant.
Free auction estimate
Send photos of the estate’s best works for a free review.
Speak with a specialist about your collection
For ten or more works, a conversation is often quicker than forms. Leave your number and the best time, and someone from ArtSell will call you within 48 hours to talk through the collection and your options. Free, with no obligation to sell.
Prefer to write? Send photos or an inventory for a collection review →
How selling at auction works
- Send photos for a free estimate. A photo of the front, plus the signature, the back and any labels if you can. Add the size and anything you know about where the work came from.
- Get an auction estimate. A specialist compares the work with recorded auction results and replies with an estimate range: what the work could reasonably bring at auction, not a guarantee or a formal appraisal.
- Agree terms and a reserve. If you decide to sell, you sign a consignment agreement that sets the commission, any fees and the reserve (the confidential minimum price below which the work will not sell).
- Ship or hand over the work. The work goes to the house for inspection, cataloguing and photography. Condition and authorship are checked before it is offered.
- The sale. The work is offered in a scheduled sale, online or in the room. Buyers pay a buyer’s premium on top of the hammer price; that is the buyer’s cost, not yours.
- Get paid. After the buyer pays, the house settles with you: the hammer price minus the seller’s commission and any agreed fees.
Typical timeline
- Estimate: usually a few days after you send photos.
- Consignment to sale: commonly 6–12 weeks, because houses build sales around themes and seasons and need time to catalogue and market each lot.
- Payment: usually about 30–35 days after the sale, once the buyer has paid.
What selling costs
- Seller’s commission: a percentage of the hammer price. At many houses it falls roughly between 10% and 25%, often lower for higher-value works, and it is frequently negotiable.
- Possible fees: some houses charge for photography, insurance, shipping or an unsold-lot fee. Ask which apply before you sign.
- Buyer’s premium: paid by the buyer on top of the hammer price. Prices in our results include it where the house publishes it.
Questions
How do I sell an entire estate art collection?
Make an inventory with photos, have the stand-out works reviewed, and consign the important works individually and the rest in groups. Send the inventory with the collection review form, or request a call.
Do I have to appraise every work?
No. Appraisals are paid per item or by the hour. A free review of the collection can show which works are worth formally appraising.
How long does an estate sale of art take?
From consignment to sale is commonly 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the next suitable sale, and houses usually pay the seller about 30 to 35 days after the sale once the buyer has paid.
Can I get a call instead of filling in forms?
Yes. Request a call and a specialist will phone you within 48 hours at the time you choose.
More for estates, heirs and collectors
- How to sell a large art collection
- Selling art through probate
- How to value inherited art
- I inherited artwork. How do I sell it?
- Selling inherited art and estate collections (guide)
- Sell your collection: free review for 10 or more works
- Request a call about your collection
Seller guides
How to sell art at auctionWhat’s my art worth?Sell a paintingSell a printSell a sculptureSelling inherited art and estatesHow to photograph art for an estimateAppraisal vs. auction estimateWhere to sell artArt appraisal for insuranceHow to sell a painting you inheritedIs my print worth anything?What is my painting worth?Is my painting valuable?Original or print?How to read a signatureAuction vs. gallery vs. onlineSell your collection (10+ works)I inherited artwork: how to sell itHow to sell a large art collectionSpeak with a specialist about your collection