Seller terms
1. Who this applies to
These terms apply to anyone (the “Consignor”) who submits a piece to Silkworks (operated by Karachi Engineering Co., Mumbai — the “Company”) for sale on a consignment basis. Submitting a piece via our intake form is an offer to consign; it becomes binding only when the Company sends written acceptance by email.
2. Ownership and authenticity
By submitting, the Consignor confirms that they are the lawful owner of the piece (or have written authorisation from the owner), that the piece is free of liens or third-party claims, and that any descriptive claims they make about its age, origin or maker are accurate to the best of their knowledge. The Company may request documentary provenance for any piece priced above ₹1,00,000.
If a piece later proves to have been misrepresented, stolen, or to violate Indian cultural heritage law (including but not limited to the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972), the Company may unwind any sale, return the piece to the original lawful owner, and pursue recovery of costs from the Consignor.
3. Commission and how the money flows
Silkworks retains a flat 33.33% net commission on every consigned sale. “Net” means the price the buyer paid, less:
- payment-gateway processing fees (typically 2–3% via CCAvenue or equivalent);
- applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST) collected on behalf of the Government of India;
- any documented refund or chargeback later honoured against that sale.
The Consignor receives the remaining 66.67% of the net sale, paid by bank transfer within 30 days of the buyer's payment clearing the Company's account. There is no listing fee, no photography fee (subject to clause 7) and no storage fee for the standard term.
Worked example: a piece sells for ₹15,000. Gateway fees deduct ₹405. GST is collected separately and remitted. Net pool = ₹14,595. Silkworks's commission = ₹4,864.85. Consignor receives ₹9,730.15.
4. Pricing and reserve
The Consignor proposes a reserve price at submission. The Company may negotiate a different listing price with the Consignor in writing if its own market judgement disagrees with the reserve. The piece will not be sold below the agreed reserve without the Consignor's written consent.
5. Term, withdrawal and unsold pieces
The standard consignment term is 180 days from the date the piece is listed on silkworks.in. The Consignor may withdraw the piece at any time during the term with 14 days written notice, provided no buyer has placed an order against it.
If the term expires without sale, the Company will contact the Consignor to discuss: (a) a price revision and a fresh 90-day term; (b) return of the piece (return shipping within India is at the Company's cost; international returns are at the Consignor's cost); or (c) donation to a museum or institutional partner of the Consignor's choosing.
6. Risk, custody and insurance
The Company insures every consigned piece in its custody — from the moment it is received at our Mumbai atelier until it is delivered to a buyer or returned to the Consignor — against fire, theft, accidental damage and transit loss, up to the agreed listing price or fair market value (whichever is higher). The Consignor is responsible for shipping the piece to us in adequate packaging; risk passes to the Company on signed receipt.
7. Photography and listing
Silkworks photographs each accepted piece against a neutral background, drafts a listing in our editorial voice, and presents the piece alongside our own inventory. Photographs and listing copy produced by the Company remain the Company's property and may be used for marketing (catalogue, social, editorial coverage) before, during and after the consignment, with attribution to the piece's region or era but not to the Consignor by name unless explicitly agreed.
If a piece is withdrawn after photography but before listing, a flat photography fee of ₹1,500 applies and is deducted from any future settlement.
8. Returns and disputes
The Company may, at its sole discretion, accept a buyer return for material misdescription within 7 days of delivery. Where such a return is honoured, the sale is unwound and the piece is either re-listed (with a renewed term) or returned to the Consignor. Repeat misdescription disputes may result in suspension of consignment privileges.
9. Confidentiality
Silkworks does not disclose the Consignor's identity, contact details or financial information to buyers, third parties or the public, except as required by law or by court order. Aggregate, anonymised data about consignment volume and pricing may be used in editorial coverage of the market.
10. Governing law and jurisdiction
These terms are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute arising from a consignment relationship will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Mumbai. The parties will attempt good-faith negotiation, then mediation, before resorting to litigation.
11. Changes to these terms
The Company may revise these terms from time to time. Changes apply only to consignments accepted after the revision date. Active consignments continue under the terms in force at the time of acceptance.
Questions?
Email hello@silkworksindia.com or call +91 7666660660 between 11:00 and 18:00 IST, Monday to Saturday. We are happy to walk through any clause before you submit.