Sell Aboriginal Bark Paintings
Want to Sell an Aboriginal Bark Painting?
The process is simple.
Take a few photographs of the Aboriginal bark painting you would like to sell and email them to me together with the dimensions. Please also include photographs of any labels, inscriptions, provenance documentation, collection history, or areas of damage.
The photographs do not need to be professional. I have been buying and collecting Aboriginal bark paintings for many years and can usually assess a work from straightforward images. In most cases, the easiest approach is to take the painting outside and photograph it in natural shade.
What Determines the Value of an Aboriginal Bark Painting?
The value of an Aboriginal bark painting depends on a number of factors, including:
- Artist
- Age
- Provenance
- Condition
- Size
- Rarity
- Historical importance
- Subject matter
- Overall aesthetic quality
Works by recognised artists from Arnhem Land, the Tiwi Islands, Groote Eylandt, Port Keats, Yirrkala, Oenpelli, and the Kimberley often attract strong collector interest, particularly when accompanied by good provenance.
How Much Is My Bark Painting Worth?
If you already have a price in mind, I am happy to discuss it. You are also welcome to seek opinions from auction houses, galleries, or other dealers before making a decision.
If you have no idea of the value, simply send me photographs and I will provide an informal assessment and, where appropriate, make an offer to purchase.
Payment
Once a price has been agreed, payment can be made promptly by direct bank transfer or PayPal.
Auction or Private Sale?
Many Aboriginal bark paintings are sold through auction houses each year. Auctions can achieve strong results for exceptional works, but prices can vary significantly depending on who is bidding on the day and how well the painting is understood by the market.
As a specialist collector and dealer, I purchase bark paintings directly and maintain relationships with collectors seeking quality works. This often allows for a straightforward sale without the delays, commissions, and uncertainty associated with auction.
Exceptional Works
If your bark painting is of exceptional quality, historical importance, or museum standard, I may also be able to assist with a commission sale.
If you are considering selling an Aboriginal bark painting, please feel free to contact me with photographs and any information you have about the work.
Sell Aboriginal bark painting research
Before you sell Aboriginal bark painting it is worth doing some research. I have articles about most bark painting artists and extensive pictures of their art. Try and determine which artist created your bark painting. It can be as simple as reading the label on the back or recognizing the iconology and style of individual artists.
If you are outside of Australia this information is quite difficult to research but a lot is available on the internet.
If you can’t find out who the artist is I can probably help.
Just like european paintings the value of a bark painting is often dependent on the artist. A lot of the early aboriginal bark paintings though are by unlnown artists but are still very collectable.