Buying Art At Auction

Posted: Jan 24, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Attend as many auctions as possible before you commit to buying. The auctions do not necessarily have to be art auctions as all auctions are run along similar lines and will give you a feel for how they work. Get used to viewing items before the sale and checking for defects – you cannot return an item bought at auction if you later discover a fault.

A trial buy

When you feel confident that you understand how best to bid, try buying an inexpensive item – it is an exciting experience and you have to learn to control your nerves and excitement, but once you have felt the thrill, you will be hooked. Make sure you set yourself a price limit and stick to it. The auctioneer's job is to build up a frenzy in the room and try to get a bidding war going between two bidders. Don't be tempted to go over your price limit – remember that the auctioneer wants to achieve as high a price as possible for the seller – that does not mean that a piece is necessarily worth that price. The old adage that something is only worth what someone else will pay for it is never less true than in an over-excited auction room.

Understanding the catalogue estimates

The estimates given in the catalogue are determined by an expert from the auction-house and by the seller and, in much the same way as house prices are set, they are often optimistically designed to achieve the best possible price. However, be aware that they are also sometimes set at very low and attractive amounts designed to generate a lot of interest from buyers who thought they could not afford the item. The extra interest generated in this way helps to eventually push the bid price up to a more realistic level. One of the fundamental factors influencing an accurate estimate are previous sales of comparable artworks. But so many factors can change between one auction and the next (not least, the people present with the capacity and intention to buy) so one of the concerns of buying at auction is whether you are paying a fair price for the artwork.

Bargains don't exist

If the amount being bid for a piece seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Be suspicious and consider what it is that other potential bidders might know that you don't. Have you checked the artwork for defects and have you checked the provenance of the work – if there is any doubt over the authenticity of the piece then that will seriously affect the achievable price, as will any damage or a work in poor condition. However, it is perfectly possible to pick up an original work of art at a very fair price at auction compared to high-street art galleries.


Overpaying and Underbidding


Seasoned auction buyers always establish a limit that they will pay for each piece on which they intend to bid. And they avoid getting carried away with the excitement of the moment – they know, usually from experience, that the excitement of the hammer falling after your bid soon pales once you realise you have over-paid for the artwork. Also be wary of the possibility of someone bidding on behalf of the seller to push the price up.

It is also important to know when to join in the bidding to ensure you do not lose out to another bidder when your final bid is less than your limit. Remember only two people can bid at any one time. For example, if the bids are going up by £100 and your limit is £1,200 then join the bidding (if possible) with an even bid such as £600 or £800. Then when you make your final bid of £1,200 you will, at least, have bid your maximum amount. If you join the bidding with an odd amount (£700 or £900) then when you reach £1,100 the second bidder may bid £1,200 but you cannot bid again as you would have to bid £1,300 which is over your limit. So the successful bidder buys the item for £1,200 when, in fact, that was also a sum you were prepared to pay.

Online Auctions

Bidding for art at online sites is extremely risky - you cannot check the condition of the artwork or be sure of the quality and authenticity of the piece. The price will have been set by the seller, who is naturally biased towards achieving a high price and who is likely to have set the price without expert advice.

If you are keen to buy art online, because of the huge savings to be made compared to traditional galleries, then check out some of the reputable online galleries. They have money-back guarantees and can supply proof of quality and authenticity.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/buying-art-at-auction-4098095.html

    Article Tags:

    art auction

    ,

    buy art

    ,

    contemporary art

    Online art galleries which allow art lovers to see and buy compositions. Online contemporary art gallery refers to the website displaying contemporary compositions.

    By: Robort Thomasl Arts & Entertainment> Visual Artl Jun 05, 2010

    Art has to be ever-changing otherwise it would stagnate and would cease to be a source of pleasure. The buying and selling of art would go down and people's appreciation of any form of art would substantially diminish. Contemporary art has carved a niche for itself by it's constantly evolution in various forms and now commands almost the same respect as that of the old masters.

    By: Arun Ghoshl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Mar 20, 2011

    Large appreciation of masses and easy understandability are the main reasons of success of modern art. The accessibility of these arts are easy as it is released in numerous copies and forms like disks, e-books etc.

    By: Sam D'Costal Arts & Entertainment> Artl Jun 04, 2008 lViews: 2,269

    Art is ever changing and modern art even more so. If art were to remain stagnant, there would be no buyers and sellers and our appreciation of art would diminish. If one were to visit contemporary art auctions, you would see that the value of even unknown artists is quadrupling within years and wealthy patrons are willing to pay in millions to acquire a piece of their work.

    By: Arun Ghoshl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Mar 20, 2011
    Krista QQ(www.123giftfactory.com)

    During hard times of this financial crisis, the auction market situation become unstable. However, the Chinese contemporary art ceramics gone against the market trend and ascending, which make investors sit up and take notice.

    By: Krista QQ(www.123giftfactory.com)l Hobbies> Collectingl Feb 23, 2009 lViews: 1,051

    Art Fraternity is a community for Artists where they can not only showcase their Work of Art, but Sell Online as well. Buy online Paintings in different mediums and different Art Styles. Check out the latest Events, Exhibitions and Workshops going around in various Art Galleries in India.

    By: webtechriderl Arts & Entertainment> Visual Artl Jun 10, 2011

    This article is about learning. The way of learning how to use these powerful tools to dominate or just have fun online.

    By: thomasl Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 25, 2012

    Painting for sale and Art reproduction are in demand from different occasion period. Besides that there is a special time and appeal ,to network with all of them. There is no preplanned to obtain them:- On line or form a shop . You have to be keep in touch with some pointers that can directly lead you there and must provide the relevant material for which you are searching.

    By: robertmoore1l Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012
    Ton Pascal

    "Leda And The Swan", by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of history's great art losses. From the surviving copies we can see its beauty, the masterly composition, and the complex emblematic symbolism. Leonardo went beyond the sexual act portrayed until then about this mythic story. The great popularity of this subject in the sixteenth century was due to the fact that it was then more acceptable to depict a woman having an act of copulation with an animal than with a man.

    By: Ton Pascall Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012

    Art Reproduction tend to be terrific concept for decorating as they'll immediately provide beauty, add color and can enhance the actual overlook associated with home, office or even library whilst admire the very best quality duplication of unique artwork.

    By: architecturepaintingsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 23, 2012

    Oil paintings comes in all shapes and sizes and generally based on a variety of themes that appeal to all tastes. For oil painting, different painting materials are used like canvas and cardboard. Original oil paintings are most valuable art among other existing art, out of them some are valued at millions of dollars.

    By: robertmoore1l Arts & Entertainment> Artl May 22, 2012

    Does knowing what inspired an artist to paint a particular picture enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of the viewer? Or can an artwork simply appeal in a visually aesthetic sense?

    By: Michelle Symondsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Feb 04, 2011

    The majority of Art Colleges and Universities in the UK today regard concept as everything in art. Largely ignoring the artistic skills traditionally required of mixing and applying paint and other media, and rarely actually teaching their art students how to draw.

    By: Michelle Symondsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Feb 04, 2011

    Are there any advantages to buying a Modern Art Print that may be produced in its thousands or tens of thousands? How can you be sure it is good-quality and how many other people will have the same picture hanging on their walls?

    By: Michelle Symondsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Feb 04, 2011

    Digitally-produced or enhanced artworks can certainly be creative, exciting and beautiful to look at. But there continues to be debate and controversy over whether "digital art" should be classified as art. Is manipulating a piece of computer software on a screen a comparable skill to that of manipulating paint and other media on canvas or paper?

    By: Michelle Symondsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Jan 24, 2011

    If you are serious about owning great art and looking for something unique that appeals to your emotions and human instincts, then an original work of art has no equal. The satisfaction of owning an individual piece of art created as a dialogue between the artist and viewer is unsurpassable. There is simply no alternative to an original work of art.

    By: Michelle Symondsl Arts & Entertainment> Artl Jan 24, 2011

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast