Need advice on provenance of artwork going to auction

tyblossom · August 16th, 2010, 02:43 PM

I've been asked by the auction company for the provenance of a piece of artwork they are going to have in their auction. I know this is common, but when you have bought it from a private party....do they expect the persons name? I'd rather not give up my source, but understand that they want provenace to help it at auction.

What would be your advice to me? I could just say a private collector, I could say a private collector with the town and country, I could give them the whole name and town and country which i'd rather not. Would it be better to say an antique's dealer(which they are).

Your thoughts are appreciated.

John · August 16th, 2010, 05:49 PM

In my experience an auction house usually will not divulge the names of previous owners, unless they are well known. But you might want to ask them their policy on that.

tyblossom · August 16th, 2010, 07:50 PM

I'd rather just say private collector. Do you think that would be a negative in any aspect? The price it will realize or that the auction house might feel snubbed by me not giving them more detail?

August 16th, 2010, 02:43 PM	#1
tyblossom Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47	Need advice on provenance of artwork going to auction I've been asked by the auction company for the provenance of a piece of artwork they are going to have in their auction. I know this is common, but when you have bought it from a private party....do they expect the persons name? I'd rather not give up my source, but understand that they want provenace to help it at auction. What would be your advice to me? I could just say a private collector, I could say a private collector with the town and country, I could give them the whole name and town and country which i'd rather not. Would it be better to say an antique's dealer(which they are). Your thoughts are appreciated.

August 16th, 2010, 07:50 PM	#3
tyblossom Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47	So is it your opinion that I should give them the name of the collector? I'd rather just say private collector. Do you think that would be a negative in any aspect? The price it will realize or that the auction house might feel snubbed by me not giving them more detail?

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August 16th, 2010, 05:49 PM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,401	In my experience an auction house usually will not divulge the names of previous owners, unless they are well known. But you might want to ask them their policy on that.