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Sculpture Consignment
Have you inherited an antique sculpture or discovered a special statue at an auction or estate sale that you are interested in selling? Whether you own a marble bust, a contemporary metal sculpture, or a bronze equestrian statue, Sotheby’s auctions offer you the best opportunity to realise the highest price for your sculpture.
As your most reliable resource for sculpture appraisal and consignment, Sotheby’s holds sales that feature a wide range of sculpture from African figures to Chinese buddhas to European marbles. Our sales achieve incredible results for all types of sculptures, such as the recent sale of Willem van Tetrode’s Samson Slaying the Philistine for $3,301,000 (high estimate: $1,200,000).
To learn about the value of your sculpture, simply submit images and information to Sotheby's through our easy-to-use online estimate form. Our specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in any of our sales.
Find Out the Value of Your Sculpture
Submit photos and information about your sculpture to begin your complimentary estimate request.
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Sculpture Consigned with Sotheby's
Get Started with an Estimate
Get Started with an Estimate
Get an Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to sell an antique sculpture?Throughout the year, Sotheby's sculpture, art and decorative art auctions attract collectors and buyers from around the world. There is no better time to consign with Sotheby's to realise the highest price for your sculpture. Works of sculpture are often included in a variety of sales including Old Masters, European Art, and various decorative art auctions in Paris, Hong Kong, London and New York. After carefully reviewing and appraising your piece, our specialists can recommend the best selling location and the ideal live or online auction for your work of art.
- What types of sculpture does Sotheby's sell?Sotheby’s sells a wide variety of sculpture from Chinese bronzes to ancient Roman figures to American marbles. Whether your sculpture is signed or unsigned, our specialists can help you identify, value and sell your sculpture when you request a complimentary estimate. In the recent July 2018 auction of 19th and 20th Century Sculpture, Sotheby's sold some of the finest Neoclassical, Romantic and Modernist statuary on the market. The diverse selection was headed by opulent marble figures, as well as an extraordinary, rediscovered bust by celebrated sculptor and actress Sarah Bernhardt which sold for 100,000 GBP.
- How can I ship my sculpture to Sotheby's?The first step to selling your antique or modern sculpture with Sotheby's is to submit your sculpture's details online. Once submitted, our specialists will be in touch with you about the estimate and sale date for your work. They can also assist with securing a quote for shipping. The white-glove shippers that Sotheby's works with can pack and ship even the most fragile of artworks.
- What is Sotheby's fee to appraise my antique or contemporary sculpture?Sotheby's does not offer appraisals, but rather we provide estimates for items we believe we can sell at auction, online, or through private sale. Our estimate valuations are complimentary. At no charge, our specialists review submissions and provide valuations for your sculpture. If your statue is not an appropriate fit for a Sotheby's auction, we will do our best to recommend an alternate resource to sell your sculpture.
- How does Sotheby's determine how much my sculpture is worth?Our specialists have decades of experience in appraising and selling ancient to contemporary sculpture and are intimately familiar with the global market for all categories of sculpture. When you submit your bust, statue, mask, or other three-dimensional art for a valuation, our specialists will consider its origin, age, condition, ownership history, rarity and current market demand.
- What are Sotheby's commission fees?Sotheby’s offers special, one-of-a-kind sculptures at auction. Likewise, our fees are customized for each sculpture we offer. When you receive an estimate from a Sotheby’s specialist, it will include detailed information about our commission and fees.