When buying at auction, from agents, dealers or from private collections we assess the quality of possible acquisitions by strict criteria, including authenticity, condition and market value.

Condition is central to value. David Wade has worked with some of the world’s leading conservators. Our access to their expertise is invaluable in forming a strategy for purchase.

We consult extensively with leading experts and can obtain relevant certification of authenticity where applicable. We may also commission further research ourselves before advising a client to purchase.

David Wade Fine Art negotiates hard for the right deal for our clients, and we are continually harvesting market intelligence to ascertain when a work is correctly priced. We also conduct all necessary due diligence before purchase, and arrange the logistics of national and international shipment.

Working with our academic and museum contacts we ensure that clients’ works are included in relevant catalogue raisonnés and exhibitions. In many cases, our post-sale curating has led to discernible value enhancement.

We assess the state of the market to judge whether auction, museum acquisition or private sale would best serve the interests of our client, even to deciding which auction house, which season or what country is best to sell in.

We make sure that works are presented for sale with the fullest possible documentation of authorship and provenance and, where relevant, the current academic opinion.

If a client is considering a longer-term strategy to manage a work for future sale we may be able to place the work on loan with an appropriate museum. In all cases we will conduct all necessary due diligence on behalf of the client and manage logistics.