Tips: How to Best Prepare for a Fine Art Appraisal
Transparent communication is key throughout the appraisal process. The more information a client can provide the appraiser in advance, the better. This results in fewer hours spent on unnecessary tasks, making the process more cost- and time-efficient. If you’ve never had your artwork professionally appraised or inspected before, here are a few tips to help streamline the process.
Before the Appraisal
During your initial request, provide as much information about the artworks and the requirements for the appraisal as possible. Additionally, giving your appraiser adequate notice and time in advance can reduce stress, especially if there is a specific deadline – which should also be communicated.
For fine art objects include relevant identifying characteristics such as:
Artist / maker
Date and dimensions
Titles, editions and medium
Preliminary photos of the artworks
Preparing for the Inspection
Once you have decided to proceed with a formal appraisal and have chosen which items to appraise, discuss with your appraiser the best ways to proceed. Will a physical inspection be conducted, or will a virtual inspection suffice?
If a physical inspection is necessary, here are steps you can take to expedite the process:
Accessibility: Ensure that items located in difficult-to-reach places (attics, basements, storage, closets, and outbuildings) are open and accessible for inspection. Avoid stacking artworks in a way that requires heavy lifting by the appraiser, as this is not ideal and can prolong the process.
Artworks Off the Wall: If possible, remove artwork from walls and frames for inspection and photographing. It’s important for the appraiser to be able to examine the back of the artwork, as it may contain essential details like signatures, gallery labels, or other identifying marks. However, if removing the artwork is not feasible, ensure that it is still easily accessible and well-lit.
Adequate Lighting: Make sure that the inspection area is well-lit. Proper lighting is crucial for the appraiser to accurately assess and photograph the items.
Documentation: Gather any receipts, sales slips, or earlier appraisals and place them near the corresponding items, particularly if the appraisal is for insurance coverage. This also includes any historical or family history information that relates to the items.
Furniture Placement: Large pieces of furniture may need to be pulled away from the wall to grant access to view items up close.
If this is an estate appraisal, please provide the date of death. If there is a will, ensure that all items specifically bequeathed in the will are available for inspection. If it is for an insurance claim the date of loss must be provided.
Virtual Appraisals
For desktop (virtual) appraisals, which do not require a physical inspection, providing the appraiser with clear, detailed photos of the artworks (both front and back) is imperative. Details on the front or back, including signatures, gallery labels, markings, foundry marks, or other identifying marks, are crucial for an accurate appraisal.
Supporting Documentation
Once the artworks are properly identified and documented, providing supporting documentation is the next step. This includes invoices, receipts, past appraisals, insurance schedules and policies, condition reports, bibliographic citations, provenance information (where or from whom the piece was acquired and when), and certificates of authenticity (only if available).
Saving these paper trails at the outset when purchasing artworks is paramount in caring for your collection and keeping it well-documented. Ensure this information is stored in a safe place for future reference!
By following these steps, you can help make the appraisal process smooth and efficient. Not only will this save time, but it will also reduce the number of hours billed, ultimately saving on hourly fees.