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Antique Valuation

An antique valuation is different from an appraisal in that it needs not emphasize authenticity. However, normally the appraiser or valuer will check for authenticity during a direct offline valuation. After all, it is not good for the reputation of a professional if the value attributed to a genuine item is that of a fake, or vice versa.It may be a different matter altogeher when an online valuation is involved. The valuer may not get images of the best quality and instead of requesting more photographs, he or she may quickly finalize the valuation with some wording to the point that the item appears to be of the period...or probably of the period.
This isn't very helpful to the owner and makes it necessary to to have an antique checked separately for authenticity, in addition to the valuation.

With valuable antiques it may be better not to rely on a valuation alone, but rather request a full appraisal as this should also clarify an antique's authenticity.

Provenance
And here is the subject of provenance again. (See opinion on provenance.) Nonetheless, appraisers, auction houses or valuers may ask you for provenance, and if your item has come from a well known source that is proven as reliable, then it may help when estimating the authenticity and value of your item.

Why request an antique valuation?
A valuation puts a price tag on an item. This can be necessary for insurance purposes, selling it at the right price, or just to fulfill curiosity.

Whilst it is possible to research the value of antiques oneself on Ebay or some other online service venue, a valuation done by a professional antique appraiser or valuer gives some peace of mind.
It may also be useful to confirm the price the newest price range of something valued years earlier. As with an appraisal, a valuation is a conclusion based on experience and relies often on databases of past auction sales, but the value of antiques changes with the market.

Online antique valuations
While some appraisers claim that an appraisal or a valuation can only be done with the real thing, there are many others who think appraisals or valuations via Internet using digital images are feasible. Some even think that in as much as 95% of all cases a proper valuation is possible; only the rest needs a hands-on inspection.

While it is true that an item's condition is an essential part of its value and needs to be taken into account, as long as the pictures used for the valuation are clear and of good resolution there is no really good reason why the value could not be estimated. If the pictures show even minor blemishes, as is easy with today's digital imagery, the valuation can be fairly accurate.

Related pages:
More about Antique Value
Factors related to the Value of Antiques when selling or buying

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