Visual Comparable
A visual comparable is an auction record selected because its image resembles the anchor artwork or object being researched.
What visual comparable means
Visual comparables are useful when an object is hard to describe or metadata is incomplete. They should be reviewed alongside maker, medium, date, dimensions, price, and provenance evidence.
Related art-market concepts
Provenance
Provenance is the ownership history of an artwork or object, including prior collectors, galleries, estates, exhibitions, and sale records when available.
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.