Quick answer: Before you buy art online in the UAE, check six things on the product page and in the shop's policies: the exact size, the medium and paper, whether it comes framed, the edition, when it will be delivered, and what happens if you change your mind or it arrives damaged. At Tashkeel, UAE deliveries typically take 1β4 business days, change-of-mind exchanges exclude original artworks and limited-edition photographic prints, and damage must be reported within 2 days.
The checklist
| Check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Dimensions of the work, and of the frame if included | Screens make everything look the same size |
| Medium and paper | "Digital print on HahnemΓΌhle Photo Rag", "risograph", "graphite on paper" | Tells you whether it is a poster, a print or an original |
| Framing | A Framed/Unframed option, or "unframed" in the description | Framing can add cost and time |
| Edition | Edition size, numbering, signature | "Limited edition" alone tells you little |
| Delivery timing | Notes such as "delivered after the exhibition" | Exhibition works may not ship straight away |
| Returns and damage | Exclusions and reporting deadlines | Many artworks can't be exchanged for change of mind |
What should the product page tell me?
Size
Measure the wall before you look at prices, then compare with the stated dimensions. Sizes in the Tashkeel shop range from 14.8 Γ 21 cm for Nasir Nasrallah's risograph Dear Friend to 180 Γ 150 cm for Ruben Sanchez's painting Desert Fox, Day, and some installations are larger still. Our guide to choosing art for your home shows how to turn a wall measurement into a size.
Medium, paper and process
The medium line tells you what you are buying. "Digital print on Hahnemuhle Photo rag 308 gsm", as on Robotic Falcon by Khalid Alastad (65 Γ 43.5 cm, AED 500), means a print on heavy cotton paper. "Graphite on japanese etching Kozo cards", as on Hamad Al Muzaini's Trash Receptacles (57 Γ 26 cm, AED 4,875), means a hand-made drawing. If a page doesn't name the medium, ask. Our guide to posters, art prints and originals explains the terms.
Framing
There is no store-wide framing rule; it depends on the product. Some works offer a choice, such as A Day in Dubai by Bassem Boules, a 42 Γ 29.7 cm risograph print at AED 735 unframed or AED 945 framed. The posters and many digital prints are described as unframed. Check the variants and description, and see our framing and care guide for the pros and cons.
Edition
"Limited edition" should mean a fixed number of copies, usually numbered and signed. Many listings use the phrase without giving a number. If it matters to you, ask how many exist and whether your copy is numbered and signed before you pay.
Delivery timing
Works bought from a current exhibition may ship only when it closes. Hamad Al Muzaini's works from Precarious Beings, for example, carry the note "this artwork will be delivered after the exhibition concludes".
How is art delivered in the UAE?
According to Tashkeel's shipping policy, it delivers by courier to all emirates, typically within 1β4 business days. It also ships internationally; delivery time depends on the courier, destination and customs, and the recipient pays any duties and taxes. Shipping fees are calculated at checkout by product type and handling, which includes fragile art packaging, oversized items and weight, so a large framed work costs more to send than a rolled poster.
Can I return artwork bought online?
Read the returns policy before you buy, because art is often treated differently from other products. Tashkeel's refund policy says:
- There are no refunds for change of mind. You can exchange an item or take store credit within 7 days, if it is unused with its packaging, tags and receipt.
- Original contemporary artworks and limited-edition photographic prints are excluded from change-of-mind exchanges, as are bespoke furniture, custom or personalised items, sale items and gift cards.
- If an item is defective, damaged or incorrect, report it within 2 days of receipt for a replacement, repair or full refund, at no extra shipping cost.
- Refunds go back to the original payment method; allow 10β15 business days.
What if it arrives damaged?
Open the parcel soon after delivery. If anything is damaged in transit, notify the team within 2 days, and keep the packaging and take photos. Contact: +971 4 336 3313 or tashkeel@tashkeel.org.
What are my consumer rights in the UAE?
The UAE's Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection gives consumers the right to "true information on the commodities purchased", and it covers e-commerce by providers registered in the UAE. The Ministry of Economy receives consumer complaints. For a specific dispute, start with the seller, and seek official advice if it isn't resolved.
How much does art cost in Dubai?
Prices vary widely by medium, size, edition and artist. As a reference, these are the price bands for in-stock art in the Tashkeel shop. They are one shop's prices, not a survey of the Dubai market.
| Type | Price range (AED) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Posters | 160β250 (King & Queen pair 360) | Marhaba Assaa by Ibrahim Zaki, AED 160; silkscreen Warda by Mouza Al Hamrani, AED 250 |
| Digital prints on paper | 250β5,000 | Mother Earth 1 by Illal, 50 Γ 70 cm, AED 250 |
| Risograph prints | 735β3,150 | The Journey Within by Dina Saadi, 59.4 Γ 126 cm, AED 2,835 unframed |
| Calligraphy prints | 2,975β3,500 | The Name of God 3 by Ibrahim Zaki, 50 Γ 50 cm, AED 3,500 |
| Fine-art photographs | 3,200β20,500 | Dimensions by Faisal Al Rais, 100 Γ 100 cm, AED 3,200 |
| Original drawings, paintings and sculpture | Examples from 1,275 to 25,000 | Substructures #4 by Moza Al Falasi, graphite on paper, AED 7,350 |
The highest prices in the shop are for works by Wissam Shawkat in pigment inks on treated handmade paper, from AED 10,500 to AED 150,000. Prices in the shop are in AED and final, including service fees; VAT is shown at checkout, and there are no card surcharges.
Can I see the work before buying?
Yes, by arrangement. Tashkeel is at Nad Al Sheba 1 (Street 120) and Warehouse 89, Alserkal Avenue. Contact the team first so the piece can be ready for you. For corporate or bulk orders, contact the team directly at tashkeel@tashkeel.org or +971 4 336 3313.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy art online in the UAE?
Buy from sellers who give full product details, published shipping and refund policies, and a phone number and address you can use.
Can I return a painting if I don't like it?
At Tashkeel, no: original contemporary artworks are excluded from change-of-mind exchanges. Other eligible items can be exchanged or credited within 7 days if unused.
How long does art delivery take in the UAE?
Typically 1β4 business days to any emirate. Works from a current exhibition may be delivered after it ends; the product page says so.
Who pays customs on international orders?
The recipient pays any duties and taxes in the destination country.
How much does an original painting cost in Dubai?
It depends on the artist, size and medium. In the Tashkeel shop, examples of original works range from AED 1,275 to AED 25,000. Wissam Shawkat's works on handmade paper cost more, up to AED 150,000.
Prices and availability change, so check the product page for the latest.
