What is the difference between an auction and a private sale?
At an auction, a work is offered publicly on a set date and sold to the highest bidder at or above any reserve. The result is usually published afterwards. In a private sale, a dealer or agent arranges the transaction directly between seller and buyer, and the details stay between the parties.
Neither route is right for every work. The question is which set of trade offs suits the work in front of you, and whether you are selling or buying.
What does an auction cost a seller and a buyer?
Auction houses generally charge the seller a commission and the buyer a premium added on top of the winning bid. Some also charge for cataloguing, photography, insurance or transport, and some ask bidders to register or place a deposit. The terms differ from house to house, so read the conditions of sale for each auction before you act.
A seller can set a reserve, which is the lowest price at which the work may sell. If bidding does not reach it, the work can go unsold. A buyer should remember that the winning bid is not the final cost, because the premium and any taxes come on top.
What does a private sale involve?
A dealer assesses the work, agrees a price and terms with the seller, and introduces it to buyers who may want it. The buyer sees a stated price and can discuss it privately. There is no public hammer price and no published result.
Timing is flexible, because there is no fixed sale date. The trade off is that you rely on the dealer's judgement and reach, so ask how they value the work and which buyers they can approach. Ask for the terms in writing before you agree.
Which route suits a seller, and which suits a buyer?
For a seller, auction suits a work with a broad following where open competition may lift the price, and where a public result is acceptable. Private sale suits a seller who wants discretion, control over timing, or a single known price instead of a result decided on the day.
For a buyer, auction offers a public record of what others will pay, but costs can rise after the bid and the pace can be fast. A private sale gives time to look at the work, ask about its history and settle the price calmly. Points to weigh on either side:
- Do you want the sale and the price to stay private
- Do you need to sell or buy by a particular date
- Would a public result help or harm the work or the artist's market
- Are you comfortable with costs added after the bid
- Is the condition and history of the work fully documented
How does Arts Bespoke approach private sale?
Arts Bespoke is a Mumbai art house dealing privately in modern and contemporary Indian art. Works carry a printed price. There is no buyer's premium and no deposit, so the price you see is the price you are asked to pay for the work.
Written valuations are available, and the opening assessment of a work is not chargeable. We do not deal in antiquities. To discuss a work you wish to sell or a work you wish to acquire, write to clientadvisory@artsbespoke.com or use Get in touch.
What should I check before I decide?
Compare terms in writing, not from memory. Ask about commission, premium, reserve, deposits, payment dates and who bears the cost of insurance and transport. Ask how title is confirmed and what happens if a work is later questioned.
Tax and legal treatment of a sale or purchase can differ by route and by your circumstances. We do not give legal or tax advice, so please confirm these points with your own adviser.
Written by the house and last reviewed on 21 October 2026. General information only: for a decision about a particular work, write to the house or take professional advice.
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