For decades, auction houses have been the default destination for collectors looking to sell art. Their visibility, brand recognition, and public price discovery have shaped how the market thinks about consignment. Yet for many sellers, particularly those consigning high-value works or managing private collections, auction house consignment is no longer the obvious choice.

A new model has emerged. One that prioritises strategy over spectacle, net outcomes over headlines, and control over convention. This article compares traditional auction house consignment with Artscapy’s end-to-end, channel-agnostic consignment model to help collectors understand which approach is best suited to their goals. Looking to sell your artwork? Sell with us here.

How auction house consignment works

When consigning directly to an auction house, the process typically begins with a specialist valuation and a proposed estimate range. If terms are agreed, the artwork is placed into a future sale, often tied to a seasonal calendar.

Auction houses focus on public exposure. Estimates are published, catalogues are distributed, and bidding unfolds in a highly visible environment. While this structure can work well for certain works and market moments, it also introduces rigidity. Timelines are fixed, estimates are public, and once the catalogue is live, outcomes become part of the artwork’s permanent market history.

The hidden cost of auction headlines

One of the most common misconceptions about auctions is that the hammer price reflects the seller’s result. In reality, sellers typically receive 30–40% less than what buyers pay, once buyer’s premiums, seller’s commissions, marketing fees, and additional costs are deducted. The headline may look strong. The net proceeds often tell a different story. Moreover, if a work fails to sell publicly, the reputational impact can be significant. Unsuccessful exposure can reduce future demand and limit pricing flexibility—a risk commonly referred to as “burning” an artwork.

How Artscapy’s consignment model differs

Artscapy does not operate as an auction house, gallery, or marketplace. Instead, it acts as a strategic sales manager, representing the seller’s interests across the entire market. Every consignment begins with one question: what is the best sales channel for this specific artwork, in this specific market moment?

That answer may be a private placement, a direct sale, or—when data supports it—an auction. The difference is that the channel is selected deliberately, not by default.

Pricing: Data vs narrative

Auction house pricing is often influenced by precedent and momentum, sometimes leaning toward optimistic estimates to secure consignments.

Artscapy begins with an AI-powered market estimate grounded in real transaction data. This creates an objective pricing foundation before any exposure takes place. For collectors, this means clarity upfront—not after the sale.

Flexibility and control

Auction consignments are tied to fixed calendars and public outcomes. Once committed, sellers have limited ability to adapt if market conditions change.

Artscapy’s model is flexible by design.

Strategies can evolve, timing can adjust, and exposure can remain private until conditions are optimal. This control is particularly valuable for private collectors, estates, and family offices managing sensitive or high-value assets.

Bridget Riley, Blue & Pink, 2001

Auctions, when they truly make sense

Artscapy does not exclude auctions. It integrates them. When auction is identified as the best route, Artscapy selects the auction house most likely to deliver the strongest outcome for the artwork and negotiates favourable terms on behalf of the client—often reducing or waiving seller fees that individual consignors typically accept.

This allows collectors to benefit from auction visibility without absorbing standard market friction.

End-to-end management vs fragmentation

In traditional auction consignment, sellers coordinate with multiple parties: specialists, logistics providers, insurers, and legal teams.

Artscapy manages the entire process end to end. From valuation and strategy to execution, negotiation, and settlement, the collector works with a single partner accountable for the outcome. This reduces complexity, risk, and time spent managing intermediaries.

Which option is right for you?

Auction house consignment can be effective for certain works, artists, and market conditions. However, for collectors who prioritise net proceeds, discretion, risk management, and strategic flexibility, Artscapy offers a more aligned alternative. Rather than asking where to sell, Artscapy starts with how to sell—and builds the strategy accordingly.

A smarter standard for consignment

The art market is evolving. Consignment no longer needs to mean surrendering control to a single channel. By combining data-driven pricing, channel selection, and end-to-end execution, Artscapy provides a modern consignment model designed for today’s collectors. For those weighing auction house consignment against other options, the choice increasingly comes down to one question: headline visibility, or outcome certainty?

Andy Warhol, Superman (F. & S. II.260), 1981

Frequently asked questions about art consignment

Is Artscapy suitable for high-value works and private collections?

Artscapy is specifically designed for collectors, estates, and family offices managing high-value artworks and private collections. Its focus on discretion, data-driven pricing, and strategic channel selection makes it particularly suited to complex or sensitive sales situations.

Is auction house consignment always the best way to sell art?

No. While auction house consignment can work well for certain artworks and market moments, it is not always the optimal route. Auctions prioritise public exposure and headline results, which can come with higher fees, rigid timelines, and the risk of unsuccessful public sales. Many collectors achieve better net outcomes through private or strategically managed consignment models.

What are the risks of consigning art directly to an auction?

The main risks include high seller fees, lack of flexibility once estimates are published, and the possibility of a work failing to sell publicly. An unsuccessful auction can negatively affect future pricing and buyer perception, a situation often described as “burning” an artwork.

Can I consign art privately instead of going to auction?

Yes. Private consignment allows artworks to be placed discreetly into other collections without public listing. This approach is often preferred for high-value works and private collections, as it prioritises confidentiality and reduces exposure risk.

How does Artscapy decide whether to use an auction or a private sale?

Artscapy begins every consignment by analysing market data, liquidity, and demand for the specific artwork. Based on this analysis, Artscapy defines the most effective sales channel—whether private placement, direct sale, or auction—rather than defaulting to a single route.

Does Artscapy work with auction houses?

Yes. When auctions are identified as the best option, Artscapy selects the auction house most likely to deliver the strongest result and negotiates favourable terms on behalf of the client. The best auction predicted outcome, is not only a matter of choosing the right "brand", but also in the right market, and season.

What is the advantage of end-to-end consignment management?

End-to-end management means the collector works with a single partner who oversees pricing, strategy, execution, negotiations, and settlement. This reduces complexity, improves accountability, and ensures that every decision is aligned with the seller’s outcome.

→ Sell with us