Six-factor antique and art appraisal protocol basics
This protocol organizes appraisal work around six factors: identification, provenance, condition, conservation, market analysis, and risk/reporting. Use it when an antique or artwork needs more than a quick price guess.
The goal is a defensible value conclusion for the intended use: resale, insurance, estate planning, donation, equitable distribution, or collection management. Each factor should leave evidence in the workfile, and gaps should be disclosed rather than hidden.
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Factors 1-2: Identification and provenance
Identification defines what is being valued: maker, artist, title, subject, date, materials, dimensions, edition, and attribution level. Provenance tests the history behind that identification through labels, invoices, prior appraisals, catalog entries, ownership records, and exhibition history.
Factors 3-4: Condition and conservation
Condition affects both value and salability. Note repairs, losses, fading, cracks, stains, relining, overcleaning, regilding, replaced parts, and mounting. Conservation is a separate decision: treatment should be recommended only when it is likely to be safe, appropriate, and economically sensible for the assignment.
Factors 5-6: Market analysis and risk management
Market analysis selects relevant comparable sales by maker, medium, date, size, subject, condition, provenance, and sale venue. Risk management explains uncertainty: attribution risk, title concerns, cultural-property issues, condition limitations, thin market data, or assumptions about sale channel and exposure time.
Six-factor workfile evidence table
This table is not a price-comp table. It shows how each factor should be evidenced before the value conclusion is relied on.
| Photo | Factor | Date | Record | Value impact | What to verify | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workfile | Identification | Inspection date | Object ID | Defines comp universe and attribution level. | Maker, materials, dimensions, date, marks, edition, subject. | Object photos / notes |
| Workfile | Provenance | Record dates | Ownership timeline | Can reduce risk and improve buyer confidence. | Labels, invoices, catalogs, prior sale images, chain gaps. | Owner/archive records |
| Workfile | Condition | Inspection date | Condition report | Controls market tier and adjustments. | Damage, repairs, losses, fading, alterations, completeness. | Inspection notes |
| Workfile | Conservation | Treatment date if known | Treatment history | Can stabilize value or introduce discount if invasive. | Past work, reversibility, cost, conservation risk. | Conservator/framer records |
| Workfile | Market analysis | Sale dates | Comparable sales | Anchors value to market evidence. | Venue, price type, fees, condition, size, date, quality. | Auction/dealer records |
| Workfile | Risk and reporting | Effective date | Appraisal report | Explains value type, assumptions, and confidence level. | Intended use, limitations, attribution risk, title/cultural issues. | Report/workfile |
Takeaway: each factor should either support the value conclusion or be disclosed as an uncertainty that limits confidence.
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Use the free screenerPractical field checklist
- Photograph the whole object, details, marks, labels, damage, and underside/back.
- Record dimensions, materials, inscriptions, and condition before researching price.
- Separate confirmed facts from assumptions and owner-provided history.
- Choose comps only after category, date, size, condition, and market level are clear.
- State whether the value is fair market, replacement, retail, auction, or liquidation guidance.
- Preserve the workfile so the conclusion can be reviewed later.
Search variations people ask
Collectors often search these protocol questions:
- six factor antique appraisal protocol
- art appraisal risk management condition provenance
- how many comparables are needed for appraisal
- how to report uncertain attribution in art appraisal
- insurance value vs auction value appraisal
- when to conserve an antique before sale
- what evidence supports an appraisal report
- how provenance and condition affect value
Each question maps to one of the six factors above.
References
Wrap-up
The six-factor protocol keeps appraisal conclusions tied to observable evidence and market logic. Identify the object, document provenance, inspect condition, understand conservation, select relevant comps, and disclose risk before relying on a value.
