Our Methodology
How We Value Your Art
Every price we set is built on research: the artist's actual sales record, comparable results from auction archives, the condition and provenance of your piece, and what collectors are buying right now. Here is exactly how we work.
Commercially Insured
Consigned work covered in our care
Registered Texas Business
Operating in Austin, TX
Established 2025
Independent and owner-operated
Austin Based
Serving collectors nationwide
The Process
Six Steps Behind Every Price
Artist Research
We identify the artist and study their market: exhibition history, gallery representation, regional significance, and how their work has traded over time.
Comparable Sales
Using paid artist-record databases and public auction archives, we pull realized prices for comparable works — same artist, similar medium, size, period, and subject.
The Piece Itself
Condition, signature, edition number, framing, and provenance all move value. We examine and document each factor and note anything a buyer will ask about.
Current Demand
A price that was right three years ago may not be right today. We weigh what collectors are actively buying now, in Austin and nationally.
An Honest Range
We set a realistic market range, not an inflated number to win your consignment. If a piece isn't a fit, we say so before you commit to anything.
Your Sign-Off
Nothing is listed until you've reviewed and approved the pricing. The price, the commission, and the terms are all in writing in your consignment agreement.
Why It Matters
Realized Prices, Not Wishful Ones
The single most common pricing mistake is anchoring to asking prices instead of realized sales. A comparable work listed online for $4,000 that never sells tells you almost nothing. The same artist's work hammering at auction for $1,800 tells you nearly everything.
That is why we anchor our pricing to realized results from professional artist-record databases and auction archives, then adjust for the specifics of your piece. It produces prices that are honest, defensible, and — most importantly — prices at which art actually sells.
One important distinction: our complimentary evaluation is a market analysis for consignment pricing. It is not a certified appraisal for insurance, estate, or tax purposes. If that's what you need, we'll gladly point you to the right kind of credentialed appraiser.
FAQ
Common Questions About Our Valuations
How does Austin Gallery determine what my art is worth?
We research the artist's sales history in professional art-market databases and public auction archives, then weigh the specifics of your piece: medium, size, subject, edition, condition, provenance, and current demand for comparable works. The result is a realistic market price range, which we review with you before anything is listed.
Is your evaluation a formal appraisal?
No. Our complimentary evaluation is a market analysis for the purpose of pricing and selling your work on consignment. It is not a certified appraisal for insurance scheduling, estate tax, or charitable-donation purposes. If you need a formal appraisal, we're happy to point you toward the right kind of credentialed appraiser for your situation.
What databases and records do you use?
We maintain paid subscriptions to professional artist-record databases, and we supplement them with public auction archives from major and regional houses. This lets us see what comparable works by the same artist have actually sold for, not just what sellers are asking.
What if my piece isn't a good fit for the market?
We tell you, plainly. If our research suggests a piece won't perform on consignment, we say so and explain why. It costs you nothing to find out, and we'd rather decline a piece than let it sit unsold or misprice it.
Do asking prices online reflect what art actually sells for?
Rarely. Asking prices on marketplaces are what sellers hope for; realized auction results and completed sales are what buyers actually pay. Our pricing is anchored to realized sales, which is why our estimates are sometimes more conservative than what you may have seen online — and why our pieces sell.
Curious What Your Piece Is Worth?
Upload photos and we'll research it — no cost, no obligation, and an honest answer either way.
Request a Free Evaluation