For many private individuals, collectors and dealers owning Chinese antiques, dealing with Sotheby’s can be a frustrating process. In my personal experience and based on conversations with others in the field, it often seems difficult to get clear and consistent answers when submitting items for consignment.
One of the biggest challenges appears to be a lack of deep expertise in recognizing certain rare and valuable Chinese antique pieces. From what I have seen, many high-quality Chinese antiques are turned away, not necessarily because they lack value, but because they are not recognized for what they truly are.
I have personally witnessed cases where pieces were rejected by Sotheby’s, only for them to later sell for significant sums. Over the years, I have also been contacted by collectors who have waited weeks or months for a response from Sotheby’s, only to receive a standard rejection email such as this:
Dear [Name],
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding the potential consignment of your item(s) for one of our upcoming sales. After careful review by our specialists, we regret to inform you that your piece(s) do not meet the necessary value criteria for inclusion at this time.
We recommend reaching out to a local auction house, which may be better suited to assist you with your consignment.
Should you come across other items in the future that you believe may be of interest, please feel free to contact us again.
We appreciate your interest and thank you for considering Sotheby’s.
Best regards,
However, in my opinion, rejection by a major auction house does not necessarily mean an item lacks value. After consulting with me, many of these rejected antiques have gone on to be successfully showcased during Asia Week, where they have been viewed by serious collectors and dealers and have subsequently achieved strong prices at auction.
My approach is simple: if I believe your item has strong potential, I will advise you on how I can best present it on your behalf to the right buyers. I work purely on commission, meaning I only get paid if I am successful—so you have nothing to lose.
Rather than relying solely on auction house specialists—who, in my opinion, may sometimes secure their positions through networking rather than expertise—it could be beneficial to seek advice from those with direct market experience, such as myself. If your item has genuine value, I have the connections to ensure it is seen by the right buyers and given the opportunity to achieve its true worth.
Feel free to contact me today—send pictures via the WhatsApp button or email me.
