Copyright 1991, Christo; Photo: J.R. Church
Why We Are Unique
The Art Cellar Exchange is a unique service that specializes in helping private collectors buy and sell fine art. We are not an auction house or a gallery, but instead act in the best interests of both the buyer and seller in order to complete a successful sale. Works of art for sale are listed on our website and brought to the attention of private clients who have expressed interest that artist or work of art.
We represent American, European, and Latin American paintings, master-prints, and sculpture created between 1880 and 1990. Our client base is comprised of fine art collectors, museums and corporations. In 2000, the Art Cellar Exchange broadened it's focus to include collection management, estate representation and exhibition consultation.
The Advantage of Working with the Art Cellar Exchange
Versus a gallery.....
- We want your repeat business. Our success is built on establishing
long term relationships with buyers and sellers, and we always
strive to work for the benefit of both parties.
- Since we work on commission, it is in our best interest to
make sure all of our artwork sells at a fair price.
- We will never buy low and sell high. Many galleries will
buy artwork at the lowest price possible and the resell for much
more. Since we facilitate a direct sale between buyer and seller,
we eliminate this situation.
- We have less overhead expenses. Galleries rely on having foot traffic in order sell works of art and therefore must locate their gallery in a "high rent district". In order to make a profit, they must mark their artwork up to cover thier high cost of rent. Since we do not have an expensive gallery space, we can offer our artwork at the current fair market value.
Versus an auction house.......
- We have no hidden fees. Auction houses charge insurance and
cataloguing fees, even if your artwork doesn't sell. When the
artwork does sell, they take a fee from both the buyer (buyers
premium) and seller (seller's premium).
- If the piece doesn't sell you are out nothing but time. We
require a 60 day exclusivity agreement, but if the piece isn't
sold during that time you are free to sell it elsewhere. We charge
nothing to market artwork and only get paid when your artwork
sells.
- You, the owner, are able to maintain control over the sale price and always have final approval.
Versus both a gallery and auction house.....
- Launched in 1994, The Art Cellar Exchage was
the first fine art business on the internet. No one has more
experience in marketing art on the web.
- Your artwork stays in your possession until
the time of sale.
The buyer is always given a 5 day period from the time that the artwork is reveived until they have to make the final decision to purchase.
- We handle a select amount of clients every year
and each sale is tailored to your specific needs.
Evaluation and Advisement
We will evaluate the quality, condition and the historical importance
of an artwork as well as provide a verbal estimate of its current
fair market value. This service provides
an approximation of value without the expense of a formal written
document. The purpose is to assist you in determining realistic
pricing for your works.
Research and Authentication
We will provide written authentication in cases of questioned
authenticity or unsatisfactory provenance.
We will enlist the appropriate expert in the field to evaluate
the work and deem authenticity. Fee: $200 per hour including
research and examination*.
*Charges will vary according to the expert
and or institution.
Collection Services
Our collection services include building individual and corporate
collections, locating specific works of art, consulting on a
wide range of collection management issues such as legal and
tax implications, as well as security
and installation advisory services. Please contact us for more
details.
Fine Art Shipping
We ship anywhere in the U.S. and abroad. To safeguard your artwork,
we use shippers who specialize in fine art packing and transport.
They are trained to handle delicate objects, soft-wrapping, hard-wrapping
or crating, as the situation requires. The Art Cellar Exchange
documents the transport of artwork
with receipts and insurance vouchers.
Fine Art Insurance
Insurance issues are of utmost concern to our collectors. We
provide total insurance coverage whether the artwork is at the
Art Cellar Exchange for research or on long term consignment.
We have been associated with the same insurers since 1985.
TERM DESCRIPTIONS
Fair market value - A willing buyer and a willing seller
under no compunction to buy or sell.
Authenticity - a work of art determined to be real or
genuine through its provenance supported by unquestionable evidence
and/or certified by an established expert.
Provenance - Provenance is the history of the work as
it has traveled from the artist to the present owner.