Provenance
Provenance is the ownership history of an artwork or object, including prior collectors, galleries, estates, exhibitions, and sale records when available.
What provenance means
In art-market research, provenance can affect attribution, legal risk, value, and buyer confidence. Wassily treats provenance as evidence to be checked alongside auction comparables, catalogue information, and source citations.
Related art-market concepts
Hammer Price
The hammer price is the winning bid announced when the auctioneer's hammer falls, before buyer's premium and other fees are added.
Buyer's Premium
Buyer's premium is the fee added by an auction house to the hammer price and paid by the buyer.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales are past transactions used to estimate the market value of a similar artwork, object, or collectible.
Bought-In Lot
A bought-in lot is an auction lot that did not sell, often because bidding failed to meet the reserve or seller expectations.
Price Realized
Price realized is the reported final auction price, often including buyer's premium depending on the auction house and source.
Sell-Through Rate
Sell-through rate is the share of offered lots that sold in an auction, sale, artist market, or category.