Perhaps you do not believe you own a Fine Art. This may be true, but did you know Fine Arts covers an Extremely large spectrum? Items such as Paintings, Sculptures, Rugs/Carpets, Jewelry, Furs, Artifacts, and ‘some’ Fire Arms…… and so much more; they all fall into this vast category!! Now, perhaps I may have caught your attention?

If so, let us provide you with a few reasons why having your ‘Fine Arts’ Appraised is Incredibly Important.

Curiosity ~ Do you ever wonder if what you own has value? Perhaps you want to buy a new home or send your child off to college? Will your Fine Arts be valuable enough to help with the costs?
Tip: Owning an Original ‘piece’ of Art is a wonderful first step in an Appraisal. How about where it came from? Would you care to know the History of the ‘piece’?
Tip: If you received your Fine Arts as an heirloom, then you Know part of the History of your ‘piece’. This is helpful to your Appraisal, as it helps prove the ‘piece’ is vintage or antique.

Divorce or Bankruptcy ~ This is the time where everything gets divided between the couple, or legally reviewed; including the Fine Arts. You, and your attorney will need the Correct Value.

Estate Planning and Probate ~ If you or a loved one is Preparing a Will, then you need to know what the Value is on everything you own. It may come to a point, where an attorney and judge will have to be involved, then they (especially the judge) will prefer to use the Value given by a licensed or accredited Appraiser. This is where we come in, as our Appraiser is accredited with the International Society of Appraisers and American Society of Appraisers. She has been in the Art world for over 50 years, and in the Appraisal business for 16 plus years!

Selling ~ In order to Sell your Fine Art/s through an Auction house or Gallery, or any other third party, you will Have to have an Appraisal completed by a licensed or accredited appraiser! Besides, it is important for you to get the proper Value on your Fine Art. Yes, a third party will take a fee in order to help you sell; however, the Appraiser can tell you what the Value is and what to expect as you sell. We do not leave any Client in the dark!!

Charitable Gifting ~ If you are planning on Gifting a Fine Art to a museum, school, or another individual, you must get this ‘piece/s’ appraised First. In order to have the Proper Tax Deduction You Must Know the Value; otherwise, the tax deduction will be based off what the organization chooses for you.
Tip: Form 8283 will have to be filled out and signed by your Fine Arts Appraiser. We can give you more information on this, or you can ask your tax advisor.

Insurance Need ~ Don’t let yourself lose out by Not having your Fine Art/s insured. If something happens to your artwork, then make sure you get the Correct Reimbursement, and the Only way this is possible is to have an Appraisal previous to the incident!! Our Appraiser has worked in the Insurance field and knows this process inside and out. She is also appointed with all the major insurance companies licensed in the state of California.

Insurance Claim ~ OK, let’s say something happened to your Fine Art/s. The Insurance company will need to know the Degree of Loss on your Fine Art. Sometimes your artwork can be Repaired and other times you will be allowed to Take a Total Loss. You must have a Current Appraisal (after the Loss) for the insurance company to give you a check. You’re in luck! Our Appraiser is also a Fine Art Restorer. (Check out our Restoration Page to see some of her work; click here.)
Tip: Do Not put your damaged and possibly wet Fine Arts into a **sealed plastic bag. This can cause mildew…which is next to impossible to remove. Leave it to your Art Restorer or Restoration Company. Ask questions if you are unsure.

Timing/Provenance (History) ~ It is easier to get the proper value, when Speaking to the Original Purchaser. Knowing the owner’s history with the ‘piece’ is crucial to us, the Appraiser. If the Original owner is Not around, then make sure you have as much of the History of the piece, that you know, written down. This will Benefit Your Children and Grandchildren as it allows them to know a part of their family history, and it will continue to help with updating the appraisal.
Tip: This History, the story of how it was purchased or by whom…etc., is important and can add Value to Not only your Family History but to the Fine Art as well!!

It is exciting to know there are others out there who share a common interest with us regarding Fine Arts!! We encourage you to pass down this interest/love to your children and/or grandchildren. Fine Arts have been around for Centuries, if not since the beginning of time…. Let us NOT lose this important carrier of your Family Tree!

*Important COVID-19 Information

*We are taking all the recommended safety precautions during this crisis.

We understand we must be socially cautious during this uncertain time. Our Appraiser, Ninya, is willing to come to you. We can work with your requests to make the process most comfortable and safe for you. She will arrive prepared with a mask and gloves and keep at a safe distance. We are here to do what’s best for you.