cmathes2014ART ADVISORY

Just because something sold at auction for $50,000 doesn’t mean that this was what it is “worth.”  $50,000 might have been a fantastic bargain.  $50,000 might have ridiculously too much.  An artwork might be wrong for you at any price, or it may be something that you should spend more than you think reasonable.

People often say they want an appraisal when what they really need are enough facts so they can decide what they want to do.  While I am appraiser and can perform certified appraisals, I can also research artwork and advise people what their options are — although you must understand how this differs from a real appraisal.

Visibles AppraisalsAPPRAISALS

People often don’t understand the purpose of an appraisal.  An appraisal is NOT what somebody — even an expert —  tells you what your art is “worth” so you can sell it.

In the old days people who had glaring conflicts of interest routinely offered appraisals and some still do.  However, it is increasingly recognized that  the only credible appraisers belong to professional organizations like the Appraisers Association of America and adhere to strict guidelines that have been established by the Appraisal Foundation which was authorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications.

I have over 20 years of practical experience in New York City and have performed hundreds of certified appraisals for Museums, Public Institutions, Attorneys, Decorators, Celebrities, Collectors as well as for Private Individuals.  If you need a formal, written document to insure your artwork, if you are considering donating property to a qualified charity, if art needs to be valued for the IRS in an estate or when it has to be equitably divided, I will be happy to do a certified appraisal for you.  My field is Modern Art and besides being able to appraise prints and paintings, I am a specialist in Picasso ceramics and modern tapestries