Over the past year, Cochran Arts has worked with a couple who had thoughtfully built a substantial collection over decades but was downsizing and relocating to a new residence that could not accommodate the full scope of their holdings. Rather than approach the process piecemeal, the clients asked us to assess the collection holistically and develop a strategy that balanced efficiency with value. We conducted a comprehensive review of the works, evaluating market conditions, valuation, and category-specific demand, and then divided the collection according to the most advantageous sales pathways—identifying which works were best suited for private sale and which would perform more strongly at auction.

For works placed privately, we identified and vetted appropriate gallery partners, negotiated consignment terms, coordinated logistics, and oversaw sales through completion. For works designated for auction, we took a targeted approach—grouping works by category, identifying the strongest auction houses within each sector, bidding the material to multiple houses, and negotiating contracts on the client’s behalf. Crucially, the collection was not sent wholesale to a single auction house but instead placed strategically to maximize return across different markets. This tailored approach allowed the client to achieve strong results while minimizing risk, demonstrating how thoughtful planning and market-specific expertise can materially impact outcomes during moments of transition.