Fine Art Appraisal and Advisory
Fine Art Appraisal
Independent USPAP-compliant appraisal services for collectors, fiduciaries, attorneys, institutions, and privately held collections.
Appraisals are prepared for a range of intended uses, including estate planning, insurance coverage, charitable donation, equitable distribution, collection management, and other financial or legal purposes.
Services may involve market research, provenance review, collection documentation, condition-related review, and comparable sales analysis depending on the scope of work and intended use of the appraisal.
The Appraisal Process
1. Initial Inquiry
2. Preliminary Review
3. Engagement Agreement
4. Research & Analysis
5. Report Preparation
6. Delivery
Common Questions
Q: What is a professional fine art appraisal?
A: A professional appraisal is a research-based valuation prepared for a specific intended use, such as insurance, estate planning, charitable contribution, collection management, or financial review. Formal appraisal work is conducted in accordance with applicable professional standards and valuation methodology.
Q: Is a professional appraisal the same as an informal opinion or verbal estimate?
A: No. Professional appraisal conclusions are not casually delivered opinions or informal verbal estimates. Forma valuation work requires research, market analysis, documentation review, and professional judgment appropriate to the assignment.
Q: Why is preliminary review billable?
A: Preliminary review and research are necessary in order to determine assignment scope, identify valuation considerations, review available documentation, and assess whether a formal appraisal engagement is appropriate.
Q: What materials are typically needed before an appraisal begins?
A: Materials may include photographs, dimensions, provenance documentation, invoices, certificates, exhibition history, condition information, and any prior valuation records relevant to the assignment.
Q: Can attribution, provenance, or classification issues affect value?
A: Yes. Attribution, provenance, authenticity, condition, rarity, market category, and historical context may materially affect valuation conclusions. In some cases, addtional research or specialist consultation may be necessary before a valuation can be completed.
Q: Are appraisal reports confidential?
A: Yes, Appraisal assignments are handled with professional discretion and confidentiality. Client information and supporting documentation are not disclosed without authorization unless required by law or by the intended use of the assignment.
Q: Do you work with attorneys, fiduciaries, CPAs, and institutions?
A: Yes. Appraisal services may be prepared in coordination with attorneys, fiduciaries, accountants, insurers, collection managers, and institutional professionals depending on the intended use of the assignment.
Q: Do you work internationally or with cross-border collections?
A: Yes. Cross-border assignments may involve multilingual research, international provenance review, foreign market analysis, and coordination involving collections held across multiple jurisdictions. Services are available in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese.