Art Appraisal & Valuation Services
A valuation begins with its purpose. Constantine Fine Art Services prepares considered appraisals for collectors, estates, and professional advisers, from individual works to multi-category collections.
We establish the intended use, intended user, relevant definition of value, and effective date before beginning. The assignment determines the scope of inspection, research, and market analysis.
Our process brings together identification, condition observations, provenance documentation, and relevant market evidence. The report explains its reasoning, assumptions, and limitations. Questions of attribution or authenticity may require additional specialist research or examination; an appraisal alone does not establish authenticity.
Each engagement is documented in an appraisal agreement. The scope, deliverables, estimated timing, and fee arrangements are agreed before the appraisal work proceeds.
An Expert Visit costs $450 for inspection and documentation at your location. The appraisal and any separately agreed specialist work are excluded. A Consultation is a separate $450 meeting request.
The final appraisal bill reflects the agreed assignment. Constantine sends the invoice and payment request separately, with confirmation following successful payment.
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Insurance
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Insurance Coverage — Identify and document the works, then research the value basis requested by the insurer for an agreed date.
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Insurance Claims — Review available pre-loss records, damage documentation, and the insurer’s brief; conservation questions require appropriate specialists.
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Estates, gifts & donations
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Estate Planning — Prepare an inventory and purpose-specific valuations to support discussion with the owner’s estate advisers.
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Estate Tax — Establish the required valuation date and reporting brief with the estate’s advisers before accepting the assignment.
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Gift Tax — Research the transferred works for the relevant date and value definition, with reporting requirements clarified by tax advisers.
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Non-Cash Charitable Donations — Check assignment-specific IRS qualified-appraiser and qualified-appraisal requirements before acceptance; education alone does not establish eligibility.
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Administration & personal matters
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Trusts / Conservatorships — Document holdings and the value basis required for the fiduciary’s stated purpose, reporting to the intended user.
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Divorce — Define the works, effective date, and valuation question with the parties’ professional advisers; legal allocation remains outside the appraisal.
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Equitable Distribution — Provide a consistent valuation basis for the identified works; entitlement and division are determined separately.
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Bankruptcy — Confirm scope, relevant dates, and reporting instructions with counsel or the appointed trustee before assessing the assets.
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Planning & disputes
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Financial Planning — Provide purpose-specific artwork valuations for use with the client’s advisers; we do not provide securities or tax advice.
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Expert Witness Enquiries — Consider competence, independence, conflicts, and the legal brief before accepting; admission and weight of evidence are determined by the court.
Scope, Fees & Timing
The appraisal agreement defines the work, its intended use, the deliverables, and the fee arrangements before research begins. The $450 Expert Visit covers inspection and documentation only; the appraisal is separate.
Timing depends on the number and complexity of the works, the available documentation, and any specialist research required. Constantine provides an estimate for the agreed assignment and communicates material changes.
Questions of attribution and authenticity may require a separate specialist opinion or scientific examination. Any additional work and associated costs are agreed in advance.