Art appraisal is the professional discipline of determining the monetary value of an artwork through the combination of physical examination of the work (authentication, condition, medium, dimensions); attribution research (identifying the artist with appropriate confidence and documenting the evidence); market research (identifying comparable sales from auction databases and gallery records); and the application of the appropriate valuation standard to the specific purpose of the appraisal, including insurance replacement cost, income tax fair market value, estate value, donation value, and pre-sale estimate.
The Government Approved Art Appraiser combines this professional discipline with the statutory authority of Section 34AB registration, producing a certificate that is both art-market-credible and legally authoritative.
In common usage, “art appraisal” and “art valuation” are used interchangeably. In professional usage, the distinction is important.
Art valuation typically refers to the mechanical application of market comparables to produce a number.
Art appraisal refers to the fuller professional assessment that begins with authentication and attribution, addresses the work’s physical and historical context, and applies the appropriate valuation standard to the specific purpose.
A2Z Valuers practises art appraisal in the fuller sense: every certificate includes an attribution assessment and a condition report alongside the market value conclusion.
A complete Government Approved Art Appraisal certificate documents the object, evidence, methodology and final value conclusion in a structured professional report.
Artist name; title (if known); date of work (if known or assessable); medium and technique; dimensions; signature and inscription details.
The confidence level of the attribution — confirmed / probable / attributed to — and the evidence basis including provenance, style analysis and technical examination.
The physical state of the work, including losses, overpainting, relining, cracking, conservation status and other relevant condition issues.
Known ownership history, exhibition history, auction and gallery records, together with AATA status where applicable.
Comparable auction and gallery sales with appropriate adjustments for differences between the subject artwork and the selected comparables.
The appraised value at the specified standard, such as insurance replacement cost or fair market value, together with the valuation date.
Signed by Nitesh Shrivastava, Section 34AB registered; appraisal purpose stated; methodology stated; and independence declaration.
Discuss your artwork, appraisal purpose and required valuation standard with A2Z Valuers.