Scope of Work
Describe each consigned piece with title, medium, dimensions, edition number, provenance, estimated valuation, and any exhibition or display restrictions that affect sale or loan arrangements.
An Art Consignment Agreement documents rights, payment terms, and risk allocation, reducing disputes and facilitating sales. Properly executed agreements support enforceability under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, while clarifying insurance, commission, and termination terms.
Identify the common parties who prepare, sign, or store art consignment agreements in commercial art transactions.
Understanding the roles of each participant makes it easier to allocate liability, payment timing, and recordkeeping responsibilities when drafting the contract.
Describe each consigned piece with title, medium, dimensions, edition number, provenance, estimated valuation, and any exhibition or display restrictions that affect sale or loan arrangements.
State retail price, reserve thresholds, and the consignor's payable commission percentage, plus how taxes, discounts, and buyer's premium are handled at sale.
Allocate responsibility for insurance during transit, display, and storage; specify required coverage limits, valuation method for loss, and who bears deductible or restoration costs.
Define start and end dates, automatic extensions if applicable, right to recall items, and conditions for early termination by either party, including notice periods and cure windows.
Explain sale acceptance, invoicing, timing for remittance to consignor, handling of partial sales or layaway, and reconciliation procedures including timelines, held funds, and dispute process.
Clarify that consignor retains title until sale, warranties of authenticity and ownership, indemnification for third-party claims or liens on the artwork, and procedures for contested provenance or restitution claims.
| Primary Document Field for Inventory | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Inventory and Provenance Fields for Consignment Records | Required: title, artist, medium, dimensions, provenance, condition. |
| Pricing, Reserve, and Commission Settings | Set retail price, reserve, commission percent, and tax handling. |
| Insurance, Transport, and Storage Instructions Clauses | Define party responsible, coverage amount, and claim process. |
| Signatures, Witness, and Notary Requirements per State | Collect signer names, dates, and notary or witness details. |
Use digital platforms that support secure storage, audit trails, and flexible authentication options for consignment agreements.
A mid-sized gallery consigned ten contemporary prints from an emerging artist, documenting condition reports and agreed retail prices before shipping.
An auction house accepted a private collection on consignment, requiring provenance documentation, reserve prices, and temporary custody insurance before cataloguing items.
Record start date, end date, and extension notice periods.
Gallery remits net proceeds per contract, often within 30 days.
Inspect upon delivery and attach signed condition reports for record.
Notify insurer and consignee promptly; follow contractual valuation steps.
Keep sales statements and tax records for at least three years.
Confirm inventory, terms, and signed agreement before shipping.
Arrange insured transport and obtain delivery acknowledgements.
Monitor offers, update reserves, and document sale events.
Issue settlement statements, remit funds, or return unsold items.
| Criteria | Consignment Agreement | Bill of Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer of Title | title passes at sale | title transfers immediately |
| Inventory Control | consignee lists inventory | buyer holds item |
| Payment Timing | remit after sale | payment on transfer |
| Return Rights | consignor may recall unsold items | no return rights |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |