Authenticity & Provenance

Lacuna is a marketplace that connects you with independent artists and galleries. We require every Seller to list only authentic, correctly attributed work that they have the right to sell, and we support you with documentation, vetting and a clear process if a work’s authenticity is ever in doubt.

When a Seller lists a work, they warrant that:

• the work is authentic and correctly attributed to the stated artist;
• its description — medium, dimensions, year, edition and condition — is accurate;
• they are the rightful owner or authorised representative with the legal right to sell it; and
• to the best of their knowledge the work is free of undisclosed claims, liens or restrictions.

These warranties are part of the contract of sale. Misrepresenting authorship, provenance or condition is a serious breach of our Terms of Use and can lead to removal from the Platform.

Where appropriate, a work is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) — typically signed by the artist, gallery, estate or a recognised authority. A COA usually records the title, artist, year, medium, dimensions and, for editions, the edition number.

Listings indicate whether a COA is included. Where a work does not carry a formal certificate, the listing states what documentation is provided instead. A COA supports, but does not replace, the Seller’s underlying warranty of authenticity.

Provenance is the record of a work’s ownership and history. Where it is available, Sellers are encouraged to provide supporting documentation, which may include:

• previous ownership history, invoices or gallery records;
• exhibition and publication history;
• condition reports and conservation records; and
• any catalogue raisonné reference, where one exists.

The depth of provenance varies by work — a piece bought directly from a living artist may simply be documented from the studio, while a secondary-market work may carry a longer record. If you need further provenance before buying, message the Seller from the artwork page.

We take reasonable steps to verify Sellers before they can transact, including identity and account checks for artists and galleries. We review listings and may request additional evidence of authenticity, ownership or provenance for higher-value works.

As a marketplace, however, we rely on the warranties and documentation Sellers provide and do not independently authenticate every work ourselves. For significant acquisitions, we recommend that Buyers carry out their own due diligence, including independent expert advice where appropriate.

Most works on Lacuna are unique originals. Where a work is a limited edition, multiple or print, the listing says so and states the edition size and, where relevant, the number within the edition (for example 12/50). Open editions and reproductions, if offered, are clearly labelled as such so you always know exactly what you are buying.

Each listing includes a condition note from the Seller. For older or secondary-market works you can request a fuller condition report, including details of any restoration or conservation. Because screens vary, colours and surface texture may differ slightly from the original; ask the Seller for additional photographs if you need them before ordering.

If, after purchase, you have a genuine, well-founded concern that a work is not authentic or not as described, contact us promptly. We will:

• ask you for the supporting evidence, such as an expert opinion or condition findings;
• raise the matter with the Seller and review the documentation on file; and
• where a work is shown to be inauthentic or materially misdescribed, work towards an appropriate remedy, which may include a return and refund.

This process operates alongside the protections in our Terms of Sale and any statutory rights available to you.

We prohibit the listing of counterfeit, stolen, looted or unlawfully exported items, and we may run identity, payment and security checks on Sellers and orders. High-value transactions may require additional verification before they complete. We cooperate with rights-holders and authorities where unlawful activity is suspected.

Certain works — for example antiquities, or pieces of significant age, or those using restricted materials — may be subject to cultural-property, import or export controls. Sellers must comply with applicable laws, and some works may require licences or face restrictions that can affect whether and where they can be shipped. See also our Shipping & Returns policy.

Questions about authenticity or provenance, or to raise a concern about a work:

• By email: support@lacunaart.com
• Through the Help / FAQ centre
• By post: Lacuna, Customer Support, Avenida Da Fonte Santa lote 3, 2 dto, 8125-312 Quarteira, Faro, Portugal