Fine Art, Jewelry & Estate Appraisal Services at DuMouchelles

What Is An Art Appraisal?

An appraisal is a formal written valuation prepared for legal purposes such as insurance, trust and estate planning, or tax reporting. DuMouchelles has provided professional appraisal services for prominent family offices, estates, museums, institutions, corporations, and private collectors for nearly a century.

Each appraisal is grounded in comprehensive market research and a detailed assessment of the object, including comparable sales, condition, quality, rarity, current market demand, and provenance—the documented history of ownership and exhibition. Our specialists examine each piece, access proprietary databases, and analyze historical sales records to determine a well-supported valuation.

Value can vary depending on the intended use of the appraisal. For example, insurance appraisals are typically based on replacement value, while tax-related appraisals reflect fair market value. All reports are prepared in accordance with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and IRS-qualified appraisal standards. Appraisal services are billed on an hourly basis and may include research, photography, documentation, and any necessary travel.

Appraisal Types

Insurance Appraisals

Estate Appraisals

Tax Appraisals

What We Appraise

Rare Antiques & Modern Design

Paintings & Prints

Fine & Decorative Art

Furniture & Oriental Rugs

Sculpture, Porcelain, Silver, Crystal & Ceramics

Rare Collectibles & Luxury Goods

Antique Arms & Armor

Asian and Tribal Art

How It Works

appraisal step 1

You Submit Photos

appraisal step 2

We Arrange an Appointment

appraisal step 3

We Do The Research

appraisal step 4

You Receive Your Appraisal

Submit Photos

Share photographs, prior listings, or documentation using the submission form below. Include what type of appraisal you require (insurance, trust & estate, or tax).

Arrange an Appointment

We will contact you to discuss your goals, the scope of the appraisal, and estimated fees. If you choose to proceed, we’ll coordinate a convenient date for an on-site visit.

Research By DuMouchelles

Our appraiser(s) will carefully examine, photograph, and catalog the relevant works or objects and follow-up with any necessary research required to determine the value.

Receive your Written Appraisal

You’ll receive a draft of the appraisal report for review, followed by the final version upon approval. The final report will be delivered in accordance with the intended use and industry standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Appraisals

An estimate is a complimentary evaluation used to determine a potential auction value if an item were to be sold. It is typically provided for items being considered for consignment and helps guide pricing expectations in an auction setting. An appraisal, by contrast, is a formal written valuation prepared for legal purposes such as insurance, trust and estate planning, or tax reporting. Appraisals require detailed research, documentation, and analysis, and are completed in accordance with professional standards. DuMouchelles provides written appraisals when a formal valuation is required. These may include on-site evaluations and in-depth research by subject matter experts. When appropriate, we can also assist in arranging authentication for rare or particularly valuable works.

If you are considering selling property through DuMouchelles, a complimentary auction estimate is typically sufficient.

Formal appraisals are generally only required for legal reasons such as insurance, trust and estate or tax purposes.

To request a complimentary evaluation for potential auction consignment, please use this link to learn more.

Our appraisal services are billed on an hourly basis and include research, photography, documentation, and any applicable travel time. The type of appraisal you are seeking and the object(s) being appraised determines the scope of work required to produce your appraisal document. If you are looking for an appraisal because you are thinking of selling with us, that is an auction estimate.  A complimentary auction estimate request may be more appropriate and cost effective. Please use this link to learn more.
The value of an object is determined through a combination of market research and expert evaluation. At DuMouchelles, our specialists consider factors such as comparable sales, condition and quality, rarity, current market demand, and provenance—the documented history of ownership and exhibition. Each item is carefully examined using proprietary databases and historical sales records to establish a well-supported valuation. Value can also vary depending on the purpose of the appraisal. For example, insurance appraisals are typically based on replacement value, while tax-related appraisals reflect fair market value.
No. An appraisal is not the same as authentication. At DuMouchelles, appraisals are prepared based on the appraiser’s professional opinion, supported by research, market data, and available documentation. When authentication is required, we can assist in coordinating with recognized specialists and authorities for rare or particularly valuable works.
The time required to complete an appraisal varies depending on the number of items,  location of the property and the complexity of the research involved. Your appraiser will provide an estimated timeline once the scope of work is determined.

If you’re interested in selling with us, head over to our consignment form for more information. An appraisal is a formal valuation provided for legal purposes (insurance, donation, trust & estate, damage). A valuation is an informal estimate of your object’s value in anticipation it will be put up at auction. We provide complimentary valuations. Our appraisals are a billed professional service.

The USPAP defines this as “the monetary relationship between properties and those who buy, sell, or use those properties.” An appraiser is also defined by the USPAP as someone who is “expected to perform valuation services competently and in a manner that is independent, impartial, and objective.” Basically, an appraisal is an opinion of the value of an object, and an appraiser is someone who provides that value.

We charge by the hour plus any applicable travel time. The type of appraisal you are seeking and the object(s) being appraised determines the scope of work required to produce your appraisal document. We charge a minimum of 1 hour for this service.

The value of a work of art is defined as “the monetary relationship between properties and those who buy, sell, or use those properties”. Basically, an appraisal is not a mathematical formula, nor is it static over the course of time. The value of a work changes based on supply and demand. Typically, the less supply and the more demand, the greater the value of the work, however tastes and trends can also cause fluctuations in values.

No, an appraisal is not an authentication. We perform appraisals based on the educated assumption as to whether the object(s) are authentic.

Start Your Appraisal Request

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