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EnglishCan I Sell or Consign My Artwork Through Covington Fine Arts Gallery?
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Yes. Covington Fine Arts Gallery states that it will purchase, take on consignment, or broker quality 19th and early 20th century American and European paintings, fine prints, and watercolors. The gallery describes these transactions as running through ongoing daily appraisals, and it invites owners to contact the gallery directly about a specific piece. The practical condition is fit: the work should fall within the gallery's stated period and categories, and the gallery decides what it will accept after evaluating it.
What the Gallery Will Consider
The gallery's own description sets clear boundaries on what it handles for sale, consignment, or brokerage:
- Period: 19th and early 20th century, with the collection spanning roughly 1800 to 1950.
- Origin: American and European works, with an emphasis on American artists of that period.
- Formats: Original oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, and fine prints. Prints specifically include etchings, lithographs, mezzotints, dry points, screen prints, and block prints such as woodblocks, woodcuts, and linoleum cuts.
- Regional focus within American art: Hudson River School, New England, the Mid-West, California, the Northwest, the South, upper-Midwest, regionalism, and some art of the West and Southwest.
The gallery notes that it carries little Western Art, so a Western piece is a weaker fit than an American painting or print from the listed regions and period.
The Three Routes: Purchase, Consignment, or Brokerage
The gallery lists three distinct ways it can handle a work, and they differ in who takes the risk and who holds the piece:
| Route | What it generally means | What to clarify with the gallery |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | The gallery buys the work and becomes the owner | Whether an offer is made after appraisal, and on what terms |
| Consignment | The gallery offers the work for sale on the owner's behalf | Commission, asking price, duration, insurance, and return conditions |
| Brokerage | The gallery acts as an intermediary to find a buyer | Fee structure, marketing, and what happens if no buyer is found |
The site does not publish commission rates, fee schedules, or contract terms. Those details have to come from the gallery directly, so treat the table as the set of questions to ask rather than a statement of the gallery's terms.
How the Appraisal Fits In
The gallery describes appraisals as ongoing and daily, and presents them as the mechanism through which it evaluates works offered for purchase, consignment, or brokerage. It also lists fine art appraisal as a service in its own right and states membership in the American Association of Independent Appraisers.
For a seller, the appraisal is the step that produces the information needed to decide among the three routes: what the work is, what period and artist it belongs to, and what condition it is in. Expect the gallery to look at the piece before any purchase, consignment, or brokerage arrangement is discussed.
How to Start the Conversation
The gallery's About Us section invites owners with a special request or questions to email through the contact button, call, or stop by. A useful first message covers:
- Artist and title, if known, plus any signature or mark.
- Medium and format — oil, watercolor, drawing, or a specific print type.
- Approximate date and origin — American or European, and the region if American.
- Dimensions and condition — including any restoration, tears, or fading.
- Provenance or documentation — prior sales records, certificates, or exhibition history.
- Which route you are open to — selling outright, consigning, or brokerage.
Clear photos of the front, back, signature, and any labels help the gallery judge fit before a visit. The gallery is described as wheelchair accessible, which matters if you plan to bring a work in person.
Common Sticking Points
- Period mismatch. A contemporary piece or a work outside the 19th to early 20th century range is outside the stated specialization, even if it is high quality.
- Format mismatch. The gallery lists paintings, watercolors, drawings, and prints. Objects such as sculpture or decorative arts are not mentioned.
- Assuming published terms. No commission, fee, or contract details appear on the site, so do not plan around assumed percentages.
- Skipping the appraisal step. The gallery frames appraisal as the basis for its purchase, consignment, and brokerage activity, so lead with the piece and its documentation rather than a proposed price.
- Condition surprises. Restoration or damage affects both value and whether the gallery will take the work on; disclose it up front.
For a specific piece, the reliable next step is to contact the gallery with the details above and let the appraisal determine whether purchase, consignment, or brokerage is the right route.