antique painting of women feeding deer in nature
antique painting of women feeding deer in nature

Fine Art Consignment

Fine Art Consignment

Fine art is a diverse category that encompasses many eras. People love fine art for the culture, history and beauty it evokes. Whether you have your own collection of fine art for sale or you want to learn how to sell inherited paintings, consignment for your fine art is an excellent option that will maximize your potential earnings.

At Fontaine's Auction Gallery, our goal is to make selling your fine art as simple and straightforward as possible. Unlike other auction houses that charge fees for insurance, transportation and photography, Fontaine’s offers one flat rate with no hidden charges, making selling art on consignment more affordable than ever.

Antique painting of children

Our Fine Art Consignment Services

Selling art on consignment requires some careful work, but after developing years of on-the-job experience, we have it down to a science. We have a long history in the industry and auction fine art received on consignment. We serve thousands of people worldwide, and we are experts in the world of fine art auctions and managing art consignments.

Our experienced staff assess the condition of your art and collect all relevant documentation before you present your valuables to the potential consignee. Documentation you should prepare for the consignment process includes when and where your paintings were acquired and their sizing specifications. Anything that details the origin and history of the painting is significant, as provenance is another criterion that enhances the value of the art. You should also include clear, quality, multi-angle images of the artwork and close-up photos of any artist's signature.

Once you have your paintings and documents ready, send us the photos or arrange a meeting with our specialists. After we’ve inspected your paintings and completed an appraisal, we will give you an estimate. If you are happy with the estimate and agree to move forward, you will sign a formal legal agreement, and we will take possession of your paintings.

Fine Art Appraisal

A fine art appraisal is the examination and determination of a piece’s value and the documentation of that value in an appraisal report. We base our fine art appraisals on research, including public and private sales records and similar artworks on the market for sale. We also consider the piece's history, past ownership, previous exhibitions, condition and more. The type and extent of research we conduct also depend on the purpose of the appraisal. Various appraisals we can perform include:

  • Fair market and resale appraisals
  • Replacement appraisals
  • Market appraisals
  • Liquidation appraisals

Appraisals value artwork for insurance claims, property and estate lawyers, tax representatives, buyers, galleries and other potential transactions. As a fine art auction house, we consign artwork for resale or auction value. We’ll determine the value of your piece, sell it and pay you the amount agreed in the consignment contract.

Our Fine Art Auction Process

Consignees are often auction houses that sell fine paintings and art at auctions. Auctions are fast-paced events in which anyone in the world can participate, whether in person, online or over the phone. Several weeks leading up to the auction, your art will be on display in our auction catalog to advertise the event and your pieces.

At the auction, an auctioneer will start and guide the bidding, hitting the auctioneer podium with a hammer when a bid has won. The auction house will take a portion of the sale price, known as a seller's commission, and disburse the rest to the consignor. The older and more well-kept your art is, the more you can earn through artwork consignment. Our fine art consignment process will allow you to get the most from your paintings and appreciate the selling process.

Antique oil painting of young girl fishing with net

Why Entrust Fontaine’s Auction Gallery With Your Artwork Consignment?

At Fontaine’s Auction, we’ve been working with collectors, art galleries, estates and other institutions to promote seamless and successful sales for over six decades. We are one of the oldest and most respected fine arts auction houses in the country. We provide specialist services to buyers worldwide and are renowned for our brilliant sell-through rates. With us, you gain:

  • Personalized and client-first service
  • Expert appraisals and sales processes
  • Leading rates and estimates in the industry
  • A network of upscale and recognized industry players in New York and its vicinity
  • A flat rate for consignment with no additional insurance, transportation or photography fees
Antique oil painting of girl

Get an Appraisal for Fine Art or Paintings From Fontaine's

We make it easy for fine art collectors to get their items sold at our auctions. Unlike other auction houses that charge multiple fees, we offer one flat rate with no hidden charges. We also start advertising our auctions weeks before other major auction houses to generate buzz early, ensuring you get the best return on your fine art consignment.

If you're looking for fine art auctioneers near you in New York or for an international sale, get in touch with us today for a complimentary auction estimate. Whether you're interested in consignment for oil paintings, sculptures or other pieces of fine art, Fontaine's is at your service.

fine art antique oil painting of house and yard

Ready to Consign Your Art?

Follow the link to our request "auction estimate" if you have something to sell!

Auction Estimate