iGavel Art & Antiques owner Interview

www.iGavel.com

While living in Atlanta at the turn of the last century, I was employed by H. Stern's Fine Jewelers from South America.
My manager at the time is a relative of Lark Mason, who at the time was working for Sotheby's with a specialty in Chinese Furniture. Knowing the family, I was aware that he and his siblings grew up behind the scenes watching it all happen at their  mother's antique shop.

MOLLOY: What was the time span of your careerat Sotheby's in New York?

MASON: My career at Sotheby's extended from 1979-2003, approximately 24 years. During that time I had a range of responsibilities and roles and was well-prepared to embark on my own future.

MOLLOY: How did the shift to and from digitalizing the auction house process affect your decision?

MASON: When the opportunity arose with the closing of Sothebys.com, the time felt right to start off on my own and iGavelauctions.com was the result.

MOLLOY: Do you consider art as a good investment?

MASON: Art can be a good investment under the right circumstances but in most instances, it is not.
Like all investments, art requires a specialized knowledge and time commitment. Most people lack one or both, and as a result, purchase items and them forget about them, with poor results.

MOLLOY: How would you advise an investor?

MASON: For individuals who watch the market closely, diversify their holdings, and choose objects based on quality and value, the results can be good. Ultimately however, art is not easily convertible into cash, this lack of convertibility comes with high transaction costs that cut into the results.

MOLLOY: Can you help out with the person that considers art an object of pleasure and delight, and just happens to have some disposable income?

MASON: My advice for people is to buy what they like while being aware of the broader market. If they like what they purchased, then when or if the market declines, at least they will have objects that remain to be enjoyed.

Http://www.iGavelAuctions.comHttp://www.iGavelAuctions.com
 

Lark Mason can be reached at (212) 289-5588, with his office in the east side of NYC. 

Another source for the auction buff is Http://www.christies.com.
Slow to the Internet era, due to a wide variety of concerns, the dealers in art and antiques have valuable inventory and advanced knowledge for high-end pieces.