Recommendations for art auctioneer

Does anyone have a tried and true recommendation for an art auctioneer for an antique painting? Thanks!

 

you have to look for a house that specializes in whatever type of art you're talking about !!
You're not giving us a lot to go on.......

 

it is this one I posted about last week. =) sorry.

 

Since a Hulda Grønneberg painting sold for a nice sum at Sotheby's, why not try them?
http://www.sothebys.com/en/buysell/overview.html

They have representatives in several US cities:
http://www.sothebys.com/en/inside/locations-worldwide.html

 

Just wanted to add that paintings are becoming trendy again, our biggest International auction house here Bonhams, sends me their flyers regularly, and I noticed the higher number of painting auctions compared to the rest.
Antiques have cycles in the auction world. Good time to have a great signed painting on hand. Good luck.

 

If you are going to contact one of the larger auction houses, take your photographs of the painting off the board. They do not want paintings that have been on the net for sale and they may reject it even though you just posted it for value purposes.

Something to keep in mind with the larger auction houses, they charge a lot of money. They charge for photographs and they charge for insurance while it's in their possession. They take more of percentage than smaller local auction houses. Also, keep in mind that those prices usually include the buyers premium which you, as the seller, do not get a piece of. The last time I used Christie's, I paid $750 for the photograph in the catalog so make sure you ask for the details. Ask what the criteria is for setting up a reserve. Some States require the minimum appraisal value as the reserve.

I just looked at your other post. There is a huge difference in size on those two paintings. I agree with Any Jewelry, the auction house may not have been a well advertised auction and the darker painting may not have been as desirable.

 

Thank you!

 

Good advice by Mill Cove Treasures. I have sold with private auction houses, but these were not the high end type of International auctions like Christies and Sothebys.
I used Bonhams once, because I was representing an older couple with a valuable antique opium bottle collection, which were given to their missionary relatives and their family in China, between 1850 and 1930.
I learned several lessons. The elder couple decided to negotiate their auction in California themselves, without me, which is what the auction house wanted, and they ended up no knowing how to negotiate for some things or even the fact that they could do that.
These big outfits have reputations to worry about, so they might come across as if you have no say, but you do. Auction pictures for instance, can be one or several, the listed price, reserve, estimated value, and what happens if not sold, is also your decision, not theirs. Before you sign and agree to anything, read carefully the whole document, or take it to someone else that can advise you.
As has been said, the seller/owner often ends up with the least profitable piece of the pie. The buyer may have contacts who will pay him more than he spent. It's a mine field, especially now, with the large influx of estate antiques, and the diminishing number of buyers who collect.