Selling Inherited Art — What to Do When You Don't Know Where to Start

Inheriting art can feel overwhelming, especially during an already difficult time. You may be looking at dozens of pieces across multiple rooms and have no idea what any of it is worth — or whether it's worth anything at all.

That's completely normal. Most people who inherit art aren't art experts. You don't need to know the artists, the periods, the mediums, or the values. The most important thing right now is to take your time and not make hasty decisions. The art isn't going anywhere.

Before you move, sell, donate, or discard anything, take photos. Walk through the home and photograph every piece of art — front and back. Phone photos are fine. Include any labels, stickers, signatures, or markings on the back of frames.

If there are any documents related to the art — receipts, certificates of authenticity, appraisal records, insurance documents — set those aside. They can help with identification and valuation later, but they're not required.

This documentation step takes an afternoon and can save significant time and money down the line. Even if you end up discarding some pieces, having a record of what was there is valuable.

Once you've documented the collection, the next step is getting a professional evaluation. This is where most people get stuck — they don't know who to call or how to start.

The simplest option is to submit your photos to a consignment house like Austin Gallery. Their team reviews every submission, researches each piece, and provides guidance on value and market potential — all at no cost.

If you're in the Austin area with a large collection, Austin Gallery also offers free in-home art appraisals. Their team drives to your home with professional photography equipment, evaluates each piece on-site, and your art stays on your walls until it sells.

Once you know what you have and what it's worth, you have several options for selling:

• Consignment — a gallery or consignment house sells on your behalf. This is typically the best option for most people because the consignment house handles everything: photography, research, pricing, marketing, shipping, and payment.
• Auction — works well for high-value pieces by well-known artists, but comes with buyer's premiums, seller's fees, and less predictable outcomes.
• Private sale or online marketplace — gives you more control but requires significant time and effort to photograph, research, price, list, communicate with buyers, and handle shipping.

For inherited collections — especially when you don't know what you have — consignment is usually the most practical choice. There's no financial risk, no upfront cost, and the heavy lifting is handled for you.

Consignment is particularly well-suited for inherited art because it removes the burden from you entirely. You don't need to become an art dealer overnight. A good consignment house will:

• Research and identify every piece
• Provide honest guidance on what's sellable and what isn't
• Handle professional photography
• Set appropriate prices based on current market data
• Market to a network of collectors nationwide
• Manage shipping, payment, and all logistics

At Austin Gallery, there are zero upfront fees. Commission is taken from the sale price only — 50% for works under $10,000 and 40% for works $10,000 and above. If a piece doesn't sell, you pay nothing.