Finding an honest, skilled appraiser to give you an accurate value for your fine art, antiques, or collectibles can be a difficult task. As with other projects, it’s always best to get multiple opinions, but how can you find opinions you can trust from an antique dealer who is honest? Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your appraisal is trustworthy. 

How to Find an Appraiser to Value Your Art, Antiques, or Collectibles

Ensure Fairness

The best way to get an honest appraisal is to find an antique dealer and appraiser who does not have a conflict of interest. This can seem difficult, since dealers and buyers may want to purchase the art or antique you’re having appraised. Look for an antique dealer who is also a certified appraiser. Certified appraisers have a code of ethics they must abide by that protects you from getting a falsely low value. Even if they are involved in antique purchasing, they are required to be honest with you. 

Check on Price

Always ask what the appraisal will cost before agreeing to it. Depending on the size of your collection or number of items, you may be charged a flat fee or an hourly rate to learn the value of your items. It can be more cost-effective to have your entire collection appraised at the same time, rather than attempting to bring in single items individually. You can team up with other collectors to accomplish this if you have a small number of items yourself, such as a few pieces of antique furniture. 

Look for Specialties

Different appraisers may be more skilled at particular items, depending on their interests and whether they work in antique purchasing, fine art dealing, or estate purchasing. Find an antique dealer who has interest and experience in the items you want to be appraised, and you may be able to get a faster, more accurate appraisal based on their experienced eye. 

Forsythe’s Antiques & Fine Art in Russellville, OH, is one of the Cincinnati area’s premier antique dealers—staffed by experts with more than 125 years of combined experience. Forsythe’s Antiques & Fine Art boasts the best prices, total confidentiality, and expert opinions on your antique and art items. Visit their website to view examples from their collection, and call (513) 791-2323 for more information.