IGavel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The correct title of this article is iGavel. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
iGavel is a privately held corporation that was founded in July of 2003 by Lark E. Mason and Benjamin Turk Tolub. iGavel is an international network of fine art and antiques professionals, located in many major metropolitan areas in the United States and abroad, who receive consignments from the public, documenting, displaying and shipping items from a number of consigners in their respective geographic regions. Sales are typically featured on the site for two to three weeks, and all bidding is conducted online. Objects are guaranteed for authenticity and condition by independent experts who work with the regional Associates.
Lark Mason was formerly Director of Online Auctions, Sothebys.com. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s Chinese Department for 18 years; he joined the company as an Appraiser in 1979. Mason, who was raised in Atlanta, GA, earned a BA in English and an MBA degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and completed Sotheby’s Works of Art program in London. He is an emeritus member of the Board of Visitors, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; a board member of the Metropolitan Historic Structures Association in New York City; and an Elder of the Manhattan Church of Christ. He is the author of Asian Art, an acclaimed guide to arts of the East, and translator of Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture by Wang Shi-Xiang and Classic Chinese Furniture from the Qing Dynasty by Tian Jiaqing. Lark Mason appears frequently as an appraiser on PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow.”
Ben Turk Tolub, who managed production of the iGavel website, is responsible for ongoing technical development, marketing and customer service. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Vice President at Sotheby’s for 11 years, during which time he oversaw the development of three generations of the Sothebys.com website. He also implemented eBay live auctions technology in Sotheby’s New York and London offices. Before joining Sotheby’s, he held positions at Computer Era Corporation and taught at Apple Center in New York.
