Art Auctions in Australia
You can find dedicated fine art auctions in Australia at Lawsons, Shapiro, Menzies Art Brands, Leonard Joel, Bonham, Deutscher and Hackett, Smith and Singer, GFL Fine Art. Of course, you will also see individual pieces as part of larger sales such as private collections and estate sales.
Check our listings for auctioneers near you. When we see art for auction we post notices in our Art, Antiques & Collectables category
Latest Auction Notices
Inside This Week’s Antiques Auction Market – 68 Upcoming Sales inc Gold Pocketwatches, Rare Books & Australian Art - This week we list 68 antique and collectable auctions across Australia. This includes fine art, furniture, ceramics, silver, coins, toys,… ...
Art Auctions in Australia - You can find dedicated fine art auctions in Australia at Lawsons, Shapiro, Menzies Art Brands, Leonard Joel, Bonham, Deutscher and… ...
Coin Auctions and Coin Collecting in Australia - There are many services online offering gold & rare coin sales, currency auctions, and heritage coin auctions along with traditional… ...
Antique Auctions in Australia - While antique auctions in Australia are not as commonplace as you'd find in the UK or US, but do offer… ...Also see Art, Antiques & Collectables category.
First Time Art Buyer Tips
Art auction houses can acquire merchandise to sell at auction via consignment, complete estate or estates, excess or unsold stock from artist collections, galleries and private sellers.
Research of the item/s that you are interested in buying is important. Purchase the catalog and make use of reference books along with researching price guides and previous sales indexes to help establish value.
Obtain other opinions, talk to the auctioneer, appraisers etc. Obtain as much knowledge as you can about the item/s prior to the auction. Also factor in any restoration costs that may be required.
Art Almanac – Art Almanac is the definitive guide to Australia’s galleries. It lists most art galleries, and their current exhibitions, Australia-wide.
Auctions can be a good place to start in your pursuit of artwork. An auction can provide an opportunity to buy a less expensive piece for a few hundred dollars or so. Don’t forget these are unframed prices, so be prepared to spend another hundred for that expense. There are many online auctions, but you are relying on a picture for the only look at your art and the colors may not be accurate when the print arrives by mail. Try visiting a local gallery first and get familiar with certain artists you like.
When it comes to artists, there are famous Australian and International artists such as John Glover, Sidney Nolan, John Olsen, Lindy Lee, Ken Done, Brett Whiteley, and many others. These are easily researched and many of their works are documented and cataloged. Of course, they are more expensive and easily resold. Also check out local, lesser-known, or upcoming artists you may never have heard of, but whose work you like, and don’t really care much about resell value. It’s strictly your decision whether your collection will be of those whose value increases or one simply containing pieces for decorator appeal.
Either way, try to see the artwork in person to gain a true feel for the actual color and texture. Then you can go to eBay or other art auction sites for the final bidding. You can also scan the newspaper classified or the various art magazines available at the local bookstore. Once you buy an unframed item, consult your local frame shop for the best way to preserve and protect your investment, There are special acid-free mats and other secrets to ensuring the art’s integrity for the future.
