Antique appraisers determine the value of vintage, collectible, and antique items, often helping with real estate sales and resolving divorce and estate cases. They should have expertise in history and design styles and be familiar with laws pertaining to personal property. The skill is best learned through experience and courses, and there is no need for a license. Antique appraisal is a rewarding field that helps families learn about their history and the value of their possessions.
An antique appraiser determines the monetary value of vintage, collectible, and antique items. Appraisers examine and estimate the value of a wide variety of items, including furniture, jewelry, artwork and historical artifacts, although appraisers can appraise virtually any item. They often help attorneys, real estate agents, and auction houses price and catalog items for real estate sales and public auctions, and help resolve divorce and estate cases. However, anyone can consult an antique appraiser to determine how much a particular item might be worth.
Some former appraisers work independently, while others are part of a team employed by an auction house or a larger group of appraisers. When consulting an antiques appraiser, it is important that he or she is familiar with history, particularly the defining characteristics of certain design styles. For example, the solid, practical design of a Shaker table is quite different from a luxurious, gilded-edged Rococo table. It is common for an appraiser to have one or two areas of expertise, although they may have a broad base of general antique knowledge. Finally, any antique appraiser should be familiar with the various laws pertaining to personal property.
The skill of antique appraisal is best learned by those with experience in the field. Many people interested in this type of career sign up for an internship and learn everything they can from experienced evaluators. It is important for the learner to understand the distinguishing characteristics of different items and how to accurately assess the item’s value. The value of an item is extremely important, and those seeking the valuation can easily dispute a valuation if it seems too high or too low, which can sometimes lead to lawsuits.
If the apprentice enjoys the field and wants to move to the next level, there are many courses available in antique valuation. There are numerous assessment schools around the world, with programs often offered online. Most courses focus on how to properly value personal property and often include general courses in art history, history or real estate. An individual does not need a license to become a professional appraiser.
The field of antique appraisal is a very rewarding one. People like to find “buried treasures” from their family’s past and often want to know the monetary value of the item. Many relatives are reluctant to part with inheritances for sentimental reasons, but an antique appraiser can help families learn more about their history. When appraising an item, a senior appraiser can educate the family about the history behind a significant item, as well as providing its current market value.
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