Why an Appraisal Isn’t a “Set It and Forget It” Document Many collectors treat an art appraisal the way they treat a will they drafted a decade ago — something they finished once and filed away. But the art market…
Collectors tend to treat an art appraisal as a one-time event — something you obtain when you buy a piece, schedule it on an insurance policy, or settle an estate. The reality is different. Art values move. An artist’s market…
Every serious collector eventually reaches the same moment: a work of art has real value, and someone has to put a defensible number on it. Whether the appraisal is for insurance, an estate, a charitable donation, a divorce settlement, or…
Buying art can feel like a matter of taste, but taste does not protect you from overpaying for a misattributed work, a clever reproduction, or a piece with hidden condition problems. An appraisal is what separates buying with evidence from…
Aug 23 A charitable gift of art can produce a meaningful tax deduction, but only if the documentation can withstand scrutiny. IRS art appraisal requirements are not the same as getting an informal opinion of value, an auction estimate, or…
Sep 4 What is fair market value when the asset is a painting, sculpture, print, or collectible artwork? It is not the highest number an owner has heard, the gallery price on a similar piece, or the amount needed to…
A five-star rating is not proof that an artwork was valued correctly. Appraisal service reviews are most useful when they show how an expert handled the details that affect a real transaction: attribution, condition, provenance, market comparables, and the intended…
Aug 20 A condition report can change the outcome of an appraisal, private sale, estate settlement, or auction consignment. This art condition report guide explains how to record what is actually present on a work of art, without guesswork, exaggeration,…
Aug 8 An inherited painting can be a family keepsake, a valuable market asset, or both. The challenge is that appearance alone tells you very little. Knowing how to appraise inherited artwork means separating family history from verifiable facts, protecting…
Aug 16 A painting may have family history, a recognizable signature, or a price someone quoted years ago. None of those factors alone establishes current value. This fine art appraisal guide explains what a qualified appraisal should address, how to…