ASIAN ART APPRAISING
I have been active as an independent appraiser of Asian art since 1993, working throughout the USA for private collectors, attorneys, insurance companies, auction houses, universities, and museums. In 2002, I was admitted to the Appraisers Association of America as a full member, qualified to appraise Asian artworks dating from antique to modern & contemporary periods, and encompassing Far Eastern (Chinese, Korean, and Japanese), South East Asian, Indian, and Himalayan fine arts and crafts.
My appraisal reports meet the guidelines of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), established by the Appraisal Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of professional valuation, which has been authorized by The US Congress as the source of appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications. I completed the 15-hour certification course and examination in USPAP in October 2008, and completed the 7-hour USPAP update course in September 2011. In February 2009 I became a CERTIFIED MEMBER of the Appraisers Association after passing two subject area certification exams: one in Chinese arts, and the other in Japanese and Korean arts, and an exam on Appraisal Theory and Methodology. I strive to keep current with changes to USPAP and other issues concerning the appraising profession, and current IRS tax laws, by subscribing to newsletters for my profession and regularly attending annual meetings of the Appraisers Association of America and Continuing Education Programs on Art Law at the New York University Law School.
For more information on the types of written reports I produce when completing formal appraisal assignments, please look at the “Written Appraisal Standards” post under the label “Appraisal Info” on my BLOG (click on the word “BLOG,” at the top right of the menu bar of this website). My BLOG has other postings relevant to the appraising profession as well.
SCOPE OF APPRAISAL SERVICES
I work for clients throughout the United States and will only take on assignments in areas of my expertise, which encompass most types of Asian arts, including East Asian decorative arts (ie. lacquer, inro, netsuke, ivory and jade carvings, metalwork, ceramics, baskets, furniture, and textiles) and fine arts (ie. painted scrolls and screens, and wood, bronze, and lacquer religious sculpture). I have special expertise in Japanese art of all types, and especially paintings, prints, and ceramics, which feature prominently in numerous scholarly articles and two books I have authored. I also have extensively studied and have completed many appraisals of Chinese arts (especially paintings, religious sculpture, and decorative arts) and have experience with appraising decorative arts of Southeast Asia and Buddhist art of all of Asia.
In most cases, especially for high-end museum donation and estate appraisals that the IRS will review, I feel it is necessary to see objects in person, but in some circumstances appraisals can be undertaken using high quality photographs.
TYPES OF APPRAISAL SERVICES OFFERED
- Initial assessment of objects in your possession that you need basic identification and valuation for: after inspecting your objects, I will determine if further research and a formal written appraisal is warranted.
- Formal, written appraisals: for various purposes including insurance, museum donation, estate valuation, and divorce settlements.
- Advising clients on appropriate markets in which they can sell their art and estimates of their sales prices (fair market valuations).
- Expert Witness at Court or before IRS Review Boards: including testifying and research
- Advising Clients on Prices when Considering Purchase of Art Works: I am not a dealer, but am familiar with Asian art markets worldwide (both auction houses and private dealers) and thus am able to advise clients on prices in the worldwide art market.
- Research and Valuation for Commercial Galleries and Auction Houses