Job Title: Specialist, Islamic and Indian Art 

 

Responsible for: None 

Purpose of job: To contribute towards the consigning, valuating, cataloguing and selling of Islamic and Indian Art in line with the department and business year-on-year growth objectives  

Main contacts: Internal: Managing Director, Executive and Associate Directors, other specialist departments (especially Interiors, Homes and Antiques), client liaison and other business functions especially marketing and photography 

External: private clients, collectors, dealers, other auction houses 

Contract type: Permanent 

Hours: Full-time 

Location: Based at Chiswick Barley Mow HQ but with frequent visits to Chiswick Roslin Square 

 

Opportunity: 

Our Islamic and Indian Art department is one of the busiest and most successful departments in the house. The team curate three sales per year, two big sales and one smaller sale, as well as a themed sale called ‘A Middle Eastern Journey.’ The department has also held a number of successful single owner sales. 

The department features a varied selection of artworks dating from the 7th century to the first half of the 20th century and covering a broad geographic area from the Mediterranean shores through to Southeast Asia and China. The sales offer works on paper such as manuscripts, paintings and drawings, as well as works of conventional craftsmanship such as ceramics, textiles, arms and armour, glass, jewellery, metalwork and lacquer items. 

The team consists of three: the Head of Department, a Specialist (this role) and a Department Coordinator. The Specialist plays a pivotal role in the cataloguing and valuing of Islamic and Indian Art, and will also contribute towards business getting. 

 

Context 

Chiswick Auctions is a privately owned, well-established London auction house which is fast becoming a major player in the international art market. With 20 specialist departments, regular dedicated and themed sales are held across a breadth of specialisms. In addition, monthly Interiors, Homes and Antiques sales contribute to a busy calendar of 80 auctions per year. 

The main headquarters is based on Chiswick High Road, and the auction house employs around 60 staff. 

 

Areas of Responsibility 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Coordinate with the team on the consignment and sale of Islamic and Indian Art 
  • Respond to incoming walk-ins; written, phone and email enquiries; and online valuations to determine auction estimates and sale potential, along with the Head of Department (HoD) 
  • Work with the HoD to determine provenance, authenticity, value, condition, and marketability 
  • Work with the Department Coordinator with respect to the photography of the art works  
  • Research and catalogue consignments and work on the production and layout of the online catalogue, and any associated e-catalogue tasks alongside with the Department Coordinator 
  • Work with the team on pre-sale exhibition set-up and post-sale view breakdown 
  • Alongside colleagues in the team, work with potential buyers to provide condition reports, send interest emails, and attend weekend exhibitions, to market and sell the sale 
  • Participate in telephone bidding with clients during the auction, as required 
  • Participate in the full after-sales analysis, and implement any agreed changes 
  • Bring in consignments and new vendors as part of his / her business getting role  

General 

  • Ensure compliance with all internal policies and procedures and any relevant external bodies or processes  
  • Participate in organisation-wide meetings, activities and processes, and develop internal contacts, networks and interactions as appropriate 
  • Actively participate in and suggest events, valuation days, and other functions to represent Chiswick Auctions and the department  
  • Carry out other duties as required by the Executive Directors and Associate Directors 
  • Can-do attitude, and the flexibility to work long-hours in prime times (e.g. cataloguing deadline, exhibition setup and preview)
     

Person Specification 
Essential qualifications skills and experience 

  • A qualification relevant to the field 
  • Proven knowledge and experience in the field of Islamic and Indian Art gained both through study and work, preferably at an auction house 
  • Proven ability to develop relationships with the major collectors, dealers, auction houses and galleries 
  • Excellent writing skills in English, and ability to combine an understanding of the material with a commercial sense of marketing and promoting value 
  • A degree of fluency in a relevant foreign language, for example Persian or Arabic 
  • Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including first class spoken English 
  • Ability to work to tight auction deadlines, balancing photography, cataloguing, sale organisation, marketing and promotional details 
  • Experience working on projects of all sizes, long- and short-term; demonstrated ability to prioritise a variety of concurrent projects 
  • Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft 365 Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook etc)
  • Ability to learn Chiswick Auctions’ systems, with excellent IT proficiency 
  • Superior customer service skills 
  • Strong follow-up skills with attention to detail 
  • Ability to thrive within a fast-paced team environment 

 

Send CV and cover letter to nick.greenwood@chiswickauctions.co.uk