Independent advice to private collectors and institutions based on expertise, discretion and market knowledge
About
James Bruce-Gardyne joined Christie's in London, before moving to the New York Old Master Painting department in the early 1990s travelling throughout the Americas advising private clients, Museums, Institutions, collectors and estates on buying and selling works of art. He subsequently became Christie's Senior International Auctioneer before returning to London with Christie's in the early 2000s as Senior International Director where he advised European collectors, clients, investors and institutions. In 2005, he started Christie's private sales division for Old Master and 19th Century Paintings, overseeing signifiant private sales including Titian's Diana and Acteon to the National Gallery and the Armada Portrait to the Nation.
Services
James offers independent and confidential advice to private collectors, investors, professional advisors, trustees, institutions and museums on the sale, purchase and investment of fine and decorative art. He is able to offer impartial advice, as he is not a dealer, helping clients negotiate the highest possible price for sales and the best possible commission and price for purchases. He also provides valuations for insurance as well as advice on investments in art, managing and building collections, exhibition loans, conservation and restoration, conditional exemptions and offers in lieu of IHT and estate planning. He brings transparency to an often opaque and complex art market.
He aims to assist clients with a bespoke, highly personalised and discreet service drawing on his years of experience and expertise in the international fine art market.
Selling
James offers advice to clients on all aspects of selling through the art market including pricing, marketing and negotiation, as well as optimal timing and best route to sale whether through auction, private sale or to an institution.
Purchases
On behalf of clients, James buys works of art across the international art market, privately, through dealers and at auction. He always does due diligence and research, checks the condition and provenance, as well as negotiates the best possible price for the client. Thereafter he can supervise insurance and transport.
He also happily bids at auction as well as making private purchases on behalf of clients. He actively looks for specific items that fit a collection or particular wall space and can source works of art from a multitude of international sources including private contacts and collections.
Heritage
James has extensive knowledge and experience of how heritage and cultural issues impact on the disposal of works of art. He can advise on negotiating works of art to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax as well as private treaty sales to UK institutions. He can also handle chattel rental negotiations, cultural gifts and conditional exemptions.
Valuations & Other Services
James also provides valuations for private collections, museums, lawyers and professional advisors for the purposes of sale, insurance, estate planning, loans and bequests. He can also provide advice on assembling, managing and cataloguing collections, as well as conservation and restoration.