iGavel Auctions

iGavel Auctions is a pioneering online auction platform that has been at the forefront of digital art commerce since its founding in 2003 by Lark Mason, a veteran of the traditional auction world who served as a Senior Vice President and specialist in Chinese art at Sotheby's for nearly twenty-five years. The platform was created with a singular focus: to provide a dedicated online marketplace for fine arts, antiques, and collectibles offered by a network of independently owned auction houses, dealers, appraisers, and arts professionals. Lark Mason's credentials are among the most impressive in the auction industry. He joined Sotheby's New York as a general appraiser in 1979 and served in that capacity until 1985, when he moved to the Chinese Works of Art department, where he remained as a Senior Vice President and specialist until 2003. Mason is also widely known for his regular appearances on the PBS television programme Antiques Roadshow, where his expertise in Asian art and antiques has made him one of the most recognizable figures in the field. When he left Sotheby's to found iGavel, he brought not only deep specialist knowledge but also a network of collector relationships and a clear vision for how online auctions could serve the market. The iGavel platform operates on a model that is distinct from most traditional auction houses. Rather than acting solely as a single auction house, iGavel serves as a network platform where multiple independently vetted sellers, including auction houses, dealers, and appraisers, can offer their inventory in a traditional auction-catalogue format entirely online. Every lot listed on the platform is accompanied by multiple high-resolution images, clear professional descriptions, complete condition reports, and starting bids that serve as the reserve prices. This transparency is a hallmark of the iGavel approach and distinguishes it from some less rigorous online platforms. iGavel guarantees the authenticity and condition of all items listed by its network of associate sellers. This guarantee, backed by the expertise and reputation of Lark Mason and his team, provides buyers with a level of confidence that can be difficult to find in the broader online auction marketplace. The platform's categories span a wide range of fine and decorative arts. Asian art is a particular strength, reflecting Mason's personal expertise, and the platform has achieved remarkable results in this category. In May 2014, iGavel realized a record-setting sale for a single work of art sold online: a Qianlong-period Chinese hand scroll depicting eminent Chinese generals who subdued Taiwan, which achieved 4,182,000 dollars. A rare pair of Chinese Fahua-style lotus jars and covers from the Qing Dynasty realized 950,000 dollars, far exceeding their pre-sale estimate of 50,000 to 80,000 dollars. These results demonstrate that online platforms can achieve prices comparable to the major traditional houses when the right expertise and collector base converge. Beyond Asian art, iGavel offers a broad selection of fine art, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings; decorative arts including ceramics, glass, silver, and furniture; books and manuscripts; jewellery; and a range of other collectible categories. The network model means that the inventory is constantly refreshed by the platform's associate sellers, providing a diverse and eclectic selection. Another notable sale conducted through the iGavel and Lark Mason Associates partnership was the auction of the estate of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, which attracted enormous public attention and generated 1,846,575 dollars including buyer's premium across 202 lots, with many items selling for multiples of their estimates. While most bidding on iGavel takes place online, the platform also offers live exhibitions in New York City and New Braunfels, Texas, allowing buyers to examine and handle property in person before placing bids. This hybrid approach bridges the gap between the convenience of online bidding and the tactile experience that collectors of antiques and decorative arts particularly value. For sellers, iGavel offers several paths to market. Individual consignments can be submitted for sale through the platform, and the Lark Mason Associates division provides full auction services including appraisal, cataloguing, and marketing. The platform's network model also allows established dealers and smaller auction houses to reach a broader audience than they could independently. The buyer's premium on iGavel varies by sale but is generally competitive with major online auction platforms, typically in the range of 20 to 25 percent. Specific rates are disclosed in the conditions for each sale. For those evaluating iGavel, the key considerations include what they sell, which encompasses fine art, Asian art, decorative arts, antiques, jewellery, and collectibles from a vetted network of sellers. The fee structure includes buyer's premiums that vary by sale. To consign, sellers can submit items through the website or contact Lark Mason Associates directly. Online bidding is the platform's core function, with live previews available in select locations. What makes iGavel stand out is the extraordinary expertise of its founder, its record-setting online sales particularly in Asian art, its authenticity guarantee, and its unique network model that aggregates vetted sellers on a single platform.