Estate

In an art-market context, an estate is the property, rights, obligations, and administrative process associated with a person after death. An artwork described as estate property is being handled within that context.

You may see “property from an estate” in an auction catalogue, invoice, provenance line, appraisal assignment, insurance record, or seller designation. The estate may act through an authorized representative, trustee, lawyer, fiduciary, family member, or intermediary, depending on the governing arrangements.

The word does not identify who may legally sell a particular object, prove that administration is complete, establish authenticity, or guarantee good title. Those questions require object-specific records and, where material, qualified legal advice.

• Buying Art From an Estate or Single-Owner Collection
• Collector’s Estate