• Getting Started

• Discover Different Types of Art

• Originals vs. Reproductions

• Research Art

• Find Art on eBay Australia

• Buy With Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Getting Started

Getting Started

How and what kind of art you search for will depend on your personal goals and style preferences. Are you drawn to black and white photographs, paintings, sculpture, or perhaps folk art? Are you buying for decoration, collecting a particular artist, or making an investment? Do you know what to look for to identify a quality piece of art? If you don't have all the answers, explore eBay Australia's Art category and discover a world of artistic expression just waiting to be explored!

Discover Different Types of Art

Discover Different Types of Art

The Art portal page is your door to a virtual gallery with thousands of artworks available right at your fingertips.

• Digital Art: Art created by the world’s most talented graphic and digital artists.

• Drawings, Etchings: Antique (Pre-1900), Modern (1900-1949), and Contemporary (1950 – Now) drawings in various media such as pencil, pen/ink, charcoal, pastel.

• Aboriginal Art: World famous Australian art by indigenous artists. Find vibrant aboriginal art like colourful dot paintings, body paintings and art objects that are interpretations of aboriginal history and culture.

• Folk Art: Folk art includes works of art by artists who seek to express their cultural and ethnic roots. Pieces vary from paintings to carved bowls and more.

• Mixed Media: Art that uses various media, including some that may not appear in more “traditional” artwork, such as crushed glass or paper. You can find such imaginative pieces as multi-dimensional paintings.

• Paintings: Antique (Pre-1900), Modern (1900-1949), and Contemporary (1950-Now) paintings in various media such as oil, watercolour, acrylic, featuring iconic Australian artists like Charles Blackman, Sidney Nolan, David Boyd, Norman Lindsay to name just a few.

• Photographic Images: Find classic black-and-white photographs to stunning colour photographs ranging from vintage to contemporary.

• Posters: Posters ranging from original vintage-style posters to contemporary posters of today’s hottest movies, rock stars, and celebrities. You'll also find a great range of tour posters available.

• Prints: Find a range of Antique, Modern and Contemporary prints. There are a variety of prints from antique botanical, natural history, limited-edition lithographs, and open-edition prints.

• Sculpture, Carvings: Sculptures and carvings of all shapes and sizes, made from bronze, stone, and wood.

• Self-Representing Artists: This is art listed by artists themselves. Discover new and up-and-coming artists whose works span various media and forms.   

Originals vs. Reproductions

Originals vs. Reproductions

If you’re an art enthusiast looking specifically for original artwork, you can find it on eBay Australia in several ways:

1. Search on "Original" in the Drawings, Etchings, Paintings, and Self-Representing Artist categories to find genuine, one-of-a-kind pieces not available anywhere else.

2. Browse through the Self-Representing Artists category to find even more exciting new artists who have built a following on eBay Australia with their artwork.

Reproductions of famous art works are also available on eBay Australia. Many sellers include the item’s provenance (the full history of the item) in their item description, so be sure to read through all the available information. If you still have questions, simply ask the seller. Most sellers are more than happy to respond.

Research Art

Research Art

Before buying a piece of art, you'll want to do some basic research. The following are some tips on what to look for when you are thinking about buying a work of art:

• Read the item description carefully. Good sellers include as much information about the artwork as possible, including artist, style, approximate time period, origin, and dimensions.

• Note imperfections: Note any information about imperfections, repairs, restorations. Artwork is meant to last for posterity, but over time it may develop flaws or need repairs or restorations. Sellers will include this information in the item description, but if you’re unsure, just ask.

• Examine pictures: Most sellers will include several pictures of the item, taken from different angles and distances. Inspect these pictures carefully so there won’t be any surprises.

You want to feel secure and happy with your purchase, so if you still have questions, just ask the seller. There’s a link for this built into the top right hand side of every listing under "seller information".

Find Art on eBay Australia

Find Art on eBay Australia

Once you know what type of art you want, go to the Art portal and start searching for items on eBay Australia.

• Categories: Categories lists will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Paintings, Prints, Photographic Images, Drawings, Etchings and more. Narrow your listings by simply clicking further down the hierarchy.

• Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a print of "The Singing Butler" by Jack Vettriano, type "Singing Butler" or "Vettriano" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Australia Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy With Confidence

Buy With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

• eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.