Sell fine art and antiques at auction
Paintings, prints, sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts, researched by our art specialists and offered to collectors around the world.
- Complimentary consultations, no obligation
- Payment typically within 30 days
- Virginia firm license #1086
The right audience for every work
A painting that has hung in one family for generations can mean far more to the right collector than anyone expects. We research each work, present it properly, and put it in front of bidders who know what they are looking at.
In 2026, two paintings by Fernando Amorsolo, kept by a Virginia Beach family for three generations, sold for a combined $889,700, both well above their estimates.
What we sell
- Paintings and drawings
- Prints and lithographs
- Sculpture and bronzes
- Antique and mid-century modern furniture
- Silver, clocks, and decorative arts
- Porcelain, pottery, and art glass
Recent results in fine art and antiques
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Lot 22 John William Vawter Impressionist Rural Midwest Landscape Realized$2,200
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Lot 23 Louis Oscar Griffith American Impressionist Meadow Landscape Realized$1,800
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Lot 332 Paul Stankard Blackberries Vine Weight Realized$750
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Lot 28 Salvador Dali Raphaelesque Head Exploding/Cosmic Madonna Realized$650
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Lot 1073 Salvador Dali, Masque de la Mort Realized$600
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Lot 1072 Salvador Dali, Surrealist Gastronomy Realized$525
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Lot 26 Alfred R. Mitchell Signed Spring Morning Painting Realized$475
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Lot 1074 Salvador Dali Moshe Dayan Realized$475
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Lot 96 K. Hasui "Meguro Fudo" Woodblock Print Realized$450
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Lot 1077 Joan Miro Creamique Realized$450
From a Virginia Beach family to a record in Manila
Planting Rice (1945) and The Tinikling Dance (1947) by Fernando C. Amorsolo had been kept by one family for three generations. Blue Box Auction Gallery researched the paintings and brought them to auction in Manila with Salcedo Auctions, where collectors of Philippine art compete.
The Tinikling Dance sold for about $624,700, nearly four times its high estimate and the top lot of the sale.
- $889,700 for the pair
- Both sold above estimate
Meet our art specialists
Sarah DiPaolo-Lloyd holds a master’s degree in art history, has taught it at Tidewater Community College since 2020, and previously worked at the San Diego Museum of Art. Roger Rice, a professional artist with a degree in art history, brings special knowledge of art restoration, the Bauhaus, and mid-century modern design.
How selling art and antiques works
Send photos
Photograph the front and back of each piece, and any signature, label, stamp, or maker’s mark. Measurements and anything you know about its history help too.
Hear from a specialist
A specialist looks at your photos, tells you whether auction is the right route for your art and antiques and which sale they belong in, and recommends the next step. Any auction estimate a specialist shares is preliminary until we see the items in person.
We research and catalog
Once you consign, we inspect, photograph, and describe each lot, then market the sale to collectors and buyers.
Auction and payment
Bidders compete in the auction. Afterward you receive a settlement statement, and payment is typically issued within 30 days, once the buyer has paid.
Questions about selling art and antiques
Should I clean or restore a painting before I sell it?
No. Leave it as it is. Cleaning or restoration can lower value if it is done wrong, and buyers prefer to judge condition for themselves. Tell us about any damage and we will advise you.
Can you tell whether it is an original or a print?
Good photos of the front, the back, and the edges usually tell us a lot, and we confirm it when we see the piece in person. Signatures, labels, canvas, and paper all tell part of the story.
What does it cost to sell at auction?
Our commission is deducted from the hammer price after the sale, and terms depend on the type and value of what you are selling. We explain the commission and any other charges in writing before you consign.
How and when do I get paid?
After the auction you receive a settlement statement showing what each lot sold for and any agreed fees. Payment is typically issued within 30 days of the auction closing, once the buyer’s payment has cleared.
Can I set a minimum price?
Yes, on certain items. A reserve is the lowest price you will accept, agreed with us before the auction. If bidding does not reach it, the item does not sell.
Do you also do formal appraisals?
Yes. If you need a written appraisal of art or antiques for an estate, insurance, or a donation rather than a sale, see Appraisals & Valuations.
Request a complimentary consultation about your art and antiques
Tell us about your art and antiques and add a few photos. A specialist will look at what you have, tell you whether auction is the right route and which sale it belongs in, and recommend the next step.
- Complimentary consultation, no obligation
- Consignments accepted nationwide; we travel for significant collections
Prefer to talk? Call (757) 550-0285, Monday to Friday.
Not ready to send photos yet?
Start with a complimentary guide or a short quiz.
How to Photograph Items for a Consultation
Simple phone-camera tips that help our specialists see what you have and advise you well: light, angles, marks, condition, and what to send.
Consignment Guidelines: What We Accept
What Blue Box Auction Gallery accepts for auction, what we cannot, the minimum value per lot, and how consigning works from the first photos to payment.
Is Auction Right for Me?
A five-question quiz that suggests the best way to sell what you have: auction, an estate sale, an appraisal first, or a conversation.