Things To Cover Before An Art Appraisal

If you have a personal collection of art, or a collection of heirlooms handed down from generation to generation in your family that you’re thinking of selling or insuring, then you’ll need to have an art appraisal first. If this is your first time to get an art appraisal, there are a number of things you need to take note of.An Art Appraisal is a service that involves examining art pieces and determining their value. The process is carried out by a professional art appraiser, who assesses the art and gives the owner an idea of its value, rarity and other relevant details. Art appraisers can appraise a number of valuables, from paintings, vases, jewellery, and even furniture.Here are some things you’ll need to take care of before having your artwork appraised.Take PhotosIt’s important to keep an inventory of your art collection. To do that, you’ll need to take photos of each piece. Make sure photos are clear and in color and each piece is at the center of every photo. Also be sure to capture any unique aspects of the artwork as well. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to have 3 to 4 shots for each object in your collection. Digital photography allows you to print and digitally store your photos, so make sure you take advantage of both options.Keep a Physical InventoryAside from documenting your collection through photos, it’s important to have a physical master list of all the items up for appraisal. Be sure to include a detailed description of all the pieces in your list. An inventory is crucial for a smooth insurance process, so make sure to have a few backups both in paper and in digital spreadsheet form.Keep Track of ReceiptsThe appraisal process can be made faster if you can present original sales receipts for all items in your collection. This is of course, only applicable if you bought the items in your collection. If you inherited them as heirlooms or received them as gifts, it’s a good idea to present information from any previous appraisals done in the past.These are just some of the things to consider when having your art collection or individual pieces appraised. So next time, take the time and effort to make the necessary preparations to have as smooth a process as possible and you will receive greater results.