Trust & verification
Every entry is checked before it joins the record
Art Index Africa is a trust-first index. We verify the organisation, the provenance and the reproduction rights behind every work — so discovery and inquiry rest on documented fact, not on a listing fee.
What we check
Three checks behind every record
We confirm the organisation is real and operating — registration, physical premises, staff and standing — before anything it lists can appear.
Each work must carry an ownership history. We review acquisition records and chain of custody, and flag gaps rather than hide them.
The image you see is licensed for display on the index. Rights are confirmed so artists and estates are credited and protected.
Reading the badge
Verified & Provisional, explained
The badge on every work, booth and organisation tells you exactly how far our review has reached. Hover it anywhere on the index to see the checklist.
All three checks are complete. The organisation's identity is confirmed, provenance is documented, and reproduction rights are cleared.
- Identity confirmed
- Provenance documented
- Reproduction rights cleared
Listed in good faith while review continues. Identity is confirmed, but one or more checks are still open — shown transparently so you can weigh it.
- Identity confirmed
- Provenance under review
- Reproduction rights pending
After verification
Review doesn't stop at Verified
A Verified badge reflects what we confirmed at the time of approval — we don't run verification on a fixed renewal schedule. But every listing stays subject to moderation, and a credible dispute over authenticity, representation or restitution reopens the relevant checks until it's resolved.
- Application & first reviewAn organisation applies; we run all three checks. Works appear as Provisional while any check is open.
- Verified statusWhen identity, provenance and rights all clear, the record becomes Verified and the green badge appears.
- Ongoing moderationEvery listing stays subject to moderation — flagged automatically or reported by users — and can be corrected, unpublished or escalated at any time.
- Disputes reopen reviewA credible dispute over authenticity, representation or restitution suspends the listing while we reopen the relevant checks.
How we operate
Honest by design
Inquiries go straight to the organisation. Settle on or off the platform — either way, price, payment and delivery are agreed between you and the seller.
We're supported by participating organisations and the services we build around discovery. Any fee on a sale we help facilitate is shown up front, never hidden.
No likes, view counts or follower numbers. Saving and following are private tools for you, not public signals.
For organisations
Want your collection on the record?
Galleries, museums, foundations and estates can apply to join. We'll guide you through identity, provenance and rights — and your works appear as Provisional while the checks complete.
Trust Operations
Evidence requirements by tier
What Art Index Africa Trust Operations reviews before granting each verification tier. All submitted materials are confidential and reviewed only by Trust Operations staff. Where evidence is ambiguous, Trust Operations may request additional information before making a decision.
Provisional
Review: 5 working daysProvisional status confirms your identity and establishes a working contact. It is often granted as a first step while higher-tier evidence is gathered.
Identity of primary contact
- Government-issued photo ID
- Live or recorded selfie match confirming identity
Working contact
- Verified email address (loop-confirmed)
- Working phone number (callback within 5 working days)
Stated activity
- Free-text narrative describing your organisation's activities
- No external evidence required at this tier
Acceptable-use acknowledgment
- Explicit acceptance of platform terms
- Acknowledgment of hybrid-deal attribution policy
Verified
Review: 5–10 working daysVerified status confirms legal existence, sustained activity, and reputational standing. It unlocks full publishing, collector inquiries, and virtual exhibitions. All Provisional requirements also apply.
Legal existence
- Business registration, nonprofit incorporation, or foundation deed
- Sole-proprietor tax registration with ID match
Operating presence (two of the following)
- Documented lease for a commercial premises
- Two or more documented exhibitions in the prior 24 months
- Website with 12 or more months of traceable history
- Invoice records demonstrating sustained activity
Reputational references
- Two letters on letterhead from independent Verified organisations or recognised institutions
- Letters dated within the prior 12 months
- Letters addressed specifically to 'Art Index Africa Trust Operations'
- Trust Operations contacts each reference independently to confirm authorship
Beneficial ownership
- Disclosure of any person owning 25% or more of the organisation
Sanctions screening
- Trust Operations runs screening on the primary contact and beneficial owners
- No action required from applicant
Verified · Sale-enabled
Review: 10–15 working daysSale-enabled status confirms your authority to represent artists commercially, your documentation capability, and your financial infrastructure. All Verified requirements also apply. You must hold Verified status before applying.
Artist relationship authority
- Signed representation agreement, or
- Artist's written consent to represent their work, or
- Documented secondary-market acquisition with full provenance
Documentation capability
- Sample invoice reviewed by Trust Operations
- Sample condition report reviewed by Trust Operations
- Sample provenance statement reviewed by Trust Operations
Payment infrastructure
- Verified bank account registered in the organisation's legal name
- Confirmed via a small test transfer or a letter from your bank
Refund and dispute commitment
- Signed agreement to Art Index Africa's refund and dispute terms
Export and import readiness
- Acknowledgment of cross-border shipping obligations
- Acknowledgment of CITES declaration obligations for applicable works
Reputational reference safeguards
- Letters must be addressed to 'Art Index Africa Trust Operations' specifically.
- Trust Operations contacts each referee independently to confirm authorship.
- No single referee may sponsor more than 3 verifications in any rolling 12-month period.
- If a referee organisation is later suspended, their references are invalidated and affected organisations are re-reviewed within 30 days.