Exceptional Art.
Privately Transacted.
The Private Art Office represents collectors, owners and investors in the confidential acquisition and sale of significant works of art worldwide.
London • Scotland • Europe • Middle East • United States • Asia
Private access to the international art market.
We advise buyers and sellers through private art transactions where discretion, market intelligence and trusted execution matter.
From individual masterpieces to substantial collections, we connect qualified parties and manage negotiations from initial mandate through to completion.
Our network has been established over the last 20 years and we have been involved in some of the largest private sales recorded to date, specialising in collection sales and one-off pieces.
Experience
Two decades of private art transactions.
2006
Foundation
Built the network from London, focused on discretion, trust and off-market introductions rather than public listings.
2010
Private sales capability
Established end-to-end sales execution for owners seeking controlled exposure to qualified buyers without auction.
2015
Collection sales
Began handling substantial collection sales and portfolio transitions for private clients and estates.
2020
Recorded transactions
Involved in some of the largest private sales recorded to date, including one-off masterpieces across multiple categories.
2026
Global acquisitions
Today we advise a private, international client base on acquisitions in London, Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Asia.
Off-Market
Beyond the public market.
Many significant works change hands without ever appearing at auction or being publicly advertised. Owners value privacy; buyers value access.
Our network allows suitable collectors to be introduced to privately available opportunities, and allows owners to explore a potential sale discreetly and without public exposure.
Acquisition Mandate
Tell us what you are looking for.
Clients may submit a private acquisition mandate setting out the works, periods, budget and timeline of interest. Mandates are held confidentially and matched against opportunities as they arise.
Example Mandate
- Artist
- Pablo Picasso
- Budget
- £3m – £8m
- Period
- Post-War / Modern
- Location
- Europe
- Timeline
- 90 Days
- Preference
- Private / Off-Market
Private Sale
Considering a private sale?
Owners of significant artworks and collections can approach us confidentially to discuss value, market positioning and potential buyers.
Where appropriate, we prepare a confidential sales dossier and introduce the work only to suitable qualified counterparties.
Transaction Process
From mandate to completion.
- 01
Mandate
- 02
Verification
- 03
Market Strategy
- 04
Qualified Introduction
- 05
Negotiation
- 06
Due Diligence
- 07
Completion
Every transaction is handled individually. Relevant legal, financial, provenance, logistics, insurance and specialist advisers can be introduced where required.
Key Markets
A global market. A private network.
London
Headquarters and principal advisory hub at the centre of the international art market.
Paris
Deep historical market for Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary works.
Geneva
Private banking concentration and discreet cross-border transactions.
Monaco
Ultra-high-net-worth collector base and specialist salerooms.
Dubai
Gateway between Europe, Asia and the Middle Eastern collecting ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi
Museum-grade acquisitions and cultural infrastructure growth.
New York
The world's largest auction and private sales market for blue-chip art.
Los Angeles
West Coast collector base and a growing contemporary advisory scene.
Hong Kong
Asia's leading hub for Modern, Contemporary and Chinese art transactions.
Singapore
Rapidly growing regional collecting market and art fair economy.
Scotland
Edinburgh and Glasgow offer a strong heritage market and private Scottish collections.
Cities shown represent markets served through our network. They do not denote physical offices.
Buying, selling or quietly considering either?
Speak with us confidentially about a work, collection or acquisition mandate.