Are You Downsizing Or Liquidating An Estate?

Step 1: Send photographs of your items to info@gardnergalleries.com
Step 2: A representative will be in touch to discuss your consignments estimated value, costs involved & timeline of the auction
Step 3: Items are professionally sorted by our staff, catalogued, photographed, sold by online auction and payment made to you shortly after

Acceptance of Items 

Photographs are welcome for the purpose of providing preliminary estimates and determining whether items are suitable for auction. Images may be emailed to our office at any time. Once received, a representative will contact you within 48 hours to discuss the next steps (see below). If you prefer to send photographs via text message, WhatsApp, Messenger, or another platform, please contact us for further instructions. If you are dealing with an entire household or a large collection where individual photographs are impractical, a few representative images—for example, one photo of each room—are sufficient.

Unfortunately, Gardner Galleries no longer accept small consignments with a total estimated value of less than $2,000 and will not accept items that have already been offered for private sale or through online platforms such as Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace. Demand for general household furnishings—including dining room sets, limited‑edition prints, glassware, and porcelain—has declined significantly in recent years, and these items are not accepted on an individual basis.

To ensure suitability, we strongly recommend sending photographs in advance before scheduling an appointment with one of our appraisers.

Commission Rates & Reserves

Commission Structure

Our selling commission includes all services except cartage. Unlike many auction houses, Gardner Galleries does not charge additional fees for photography, insurance, cataloguing, or advertising. All items are insured during transportation and while on our premises.

Commission rates depend on the quality and quantity of items consigned:

  • The standard commission rate is 25%.

  • Higher‑value or above‑average consignments may qualify for a reduced rate.

  • Lower‑quality consignments may be subject to a higher rate or may be declined.

  • The current minimum consignment value is $2,000, with exceptions at our discretion.

Reserves

Gardner Galleries rarely accepts reserve prices. In exceptional cases—typically involving highly valuable items such as important paintings—a reserve may be approved, but it will always be set below the low estimate. If a reserved item does not sell, a $25 + HST cataloguing fee per lot applies.

Reserves are not accepted on large items such as furniture or items estimated at less than $1,000, however, our auctioneers will use their discretion to implement a higher starting bid when appropriate.

Consignment Drop-off & Moving Services

Drop‑Off Procedures

Once items have been approved for auction, consignments are received by appointment on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The loading area is located in the parking lot behind 407 Hamilton Road, with convenient access from Rectory Street. Staff are always available to assist with heavier items.

A consignment contract listing all items will be presented for your review and signature. Once consigned, items cannot be withdrawn without the mutual consent of Gardner Galleries.

Moving & Cartage

To support consignors throughout the process, Gardner Galleries can arrange moving services:

  • For small consignments or individual items, we may provide our own moving van and staff for a minimal fee.

  • For larger estates, we work with trusted local cartage companies. Costs are always disclosed in advance.

  • The standard rate for professional cartage in London is currently $150/hour + HST.

Once cartage is confirmed, removal can be scheduled. Items delivered to Gardner Galleries are labelled, processed, and safely stored until auction.

Advertising & Promotion

After cataloguing and photography, items are promoted extensively prior to the auction start date. Exposure includes:

  • Thousands of registered bidders across Canada and internationally

  • A weekly online newsletter with 15,000+ subscribers

  • Listings of artwork on Artprice.com and MutualArt.com

  • Social media, print, television and radio advertising for select items

  • Direct outreach to collectors and institutions for highly specialized items

Gardner Galleries is also open for in‑person viewing, attracting hundreds of potential buyers each week.

The Auction & Payment

Online auctions typically run for 10 days, beginning on a Friday and closing on the second Monday. This format allows bidders ample time to research items and attend viewings, while also increasing exposure through online search engines. Our website is designed to be user‑friendly, enabling consignors to follow their items throughout the auction.

Payment is issued by cheque within 30 days of the auction’s conclusion and mailed to the consignor’s address on file, unless alternative arrangements have been made such as e-transfer. Consignors receive a detailed computerized statement outlining all results, including an itemized list of every lot sold.

All payments and personal information are handled securely by Gardner Galleries.