COULD YOUR SCULPTURE BE BY NAUM GABO?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Gabo may be rare, every work deserves to be evaluated on its own merits rather than dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar or undocumented.

If you believe your sculpture or construction may be by Naum Gabo, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Naum Gabo since 2002. We issue Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals, valuations, provenance reports, and provide buying, selling, brokerage, and investment advisory services for collectors, attorneys, insurers, financial institutions, estates, museums, and private clients worldwide.

Getting started is straightforward. Simply send us photographs of the work together with its dimensions and any information you have regarding its history or ownership. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Naum Gabo sculpture?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a sculpture appears consistent with Gabo’s work or whether it clearly does not. His constructions used varied materials and fabrication methods, so photographs alone may not establish when or how a particular object was made.

What services do you provide?

We provide authentication, certification, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals and valuations, provenance research, private sales and brokerage, investment advice, and analytical art market research.

Is it possible to discover a previously unknown Naum Gabo today?

Yes. Sculptures, constructions, models, drawings, and related works can remain in private collections for decades before being properly researched or documented. Tate’s holdings alone include complete works, drawings, models, casts, and other material representing different stages of Gabo’s working process.

Do I need to get my Naum Gabo authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your work for its full market value. It is also important for insurance, estate planning, charitable donations, financing, and many legal purposes.

Is it complicated to get a Naum Gabo authenticated?

Not for you. Send us photographs from several angles, including the base, construction details, surface, inscriptions, labels or markings, together with dimensions and anything you know about the work’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Naum Gabo?

It depends on how much is already known about the work when we begin the investigation. In the simplest cases, authenticity can be confirmed within a couple of weeks. More complex cases may require several months.

How much does it cost to authenticate a Naum Gabo?

From the low hundreds to the high thousands. It depends on how much is already known and documented, where relevant archives are located, and whether travel or scientific testing is required.

Can a signature alone prove that a Naum Gabo sculpture is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription must be evaluated together with the material, construction technique, dimensions, provenance, fabrication history, surface, markings, and relationship to documented works.

Can an unsigned Naum Gabo sculpture still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a sculpture or construction inauthentic. Fabrication details, provenance, dimensions, materials, photographs, documentation, and comparison with established works may provide more meaningful evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Naum Gabo sculpture?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the work may assist the authentication. Photographs, invoices, correspondence, exhibition records, conservation reports, insurance documents, ownership records, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Naum Gabo sculpture be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photographs allow us to examine construction, materials, surface, proportions, joins, inscriptions, bases, labels, and other physical characteristics remotely. When additional evidence is required, we may recommend an in-person examination; we examine works worldwide.

Is it always necessary to perform scientific analyses of a Naum Gabo?

No. Many works can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific analysis may be useful when questions remain concerning the age or composition of plastics, metals, adhesives, coatings, stone, wood, or other materials.

Why is fabrication history important when authenticating a Naum Gabo?

Gabo sometimes revisited earlier compositions, and documented works can exist in later versions or have been reassembled at later dates. Establishing exactly when and how a sculpture was fabricated can therefore be an important part of authentication.

What if my Naum Gabo has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on technical examination, material evidence, dimensions, construction methods, photography, comparative research, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Naum Gabo works?

Yes. Upon completion of the authentication, we issue a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) together with a detailed and fully referenced Authentication Report.

APPRAISALS & VALUATIONS

How much is my Naum Gabo sculpture worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Important factors include date, material, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, quality, fabrication or version history, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Naum Gabo for me?

Yes. We specialize in private sales but use every appropriate selling method to obtain the highest possible net price. We manage the process professionally, confidentially, and on your behalf.

Do I need an appraisal before selling my Naum Gabo?

Yes. Your work should be priced correctly for the country, market, and method of sale. An independent appraisal helps prevent both underpricing and overpricing.

Do I need authentication before selling my Naum Gabo?

Yes. Without authentication, your work may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Naum Gabo?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, fabrication history, timing, presentation, and the chosen sales method can all influence the final result. We also provide collection management advice designed to maximize value.

Should I restore my Naum Gabo before selling it?

Usually not. Modern plastics, metals, adhesives, strings, coatings, and other construction materials can require specialized conservation decisions. We generally recommend selling the sculpture in its present condition unless there is a compelling reason to intervene.

How long does it take to sell a Naum Gabo?

Higher-value works generally require more time to sell because there are fewer qualified buyers. Correct pricing, strong documentation, and the appropriate sales method all contribute to a successful sale.

BUYING & ADVISORY

Should I buy a Naum Gabo?

If you enjoy Gabo’s work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition and alternative opportunities.

Can you review a Naum Gabo before I buy it?

Yes. We provide independent pre-purchase research and analysis for collectors and investors. We also prepare predictive art market forecasts and Buy-Hold-Sell recommendations.

What should I check before buying a Naum Gabo?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For Gabo, the material, date, dimensions, fabrication or version history, provenance, and relationship to documented constructions may also be particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Naum Gabo?

Call us before you buy. An independent review before completing the purchase is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of acquiring a forged, unauthorized, later, or misattributed work.

Can you advise me on building a collection?

Yes. We advise collectors on the financial aspects of acquisition, ownership, collection management, and eventual sale.

REQUEST A NAUM GABO AUTHENTICATION OR APPRAISAL

Whether you require authentication, a Certificate of Authenticity, an appraisal, valuation, provenance research, buying advice, selling assistance, brokerage, or investment guidance regarding a work attributed to Naum Gabo, our specialists are available to assist.

Complete the contact form below or call us at +1 (212) 658-0466 to discuss your work with one of our experts.