3. Post-Appraisal Services

Can You Guarantee that My Chinese Art Object Will Sell for the Price Listed in the Appraisal?
Unfortunately, no--no reputable art appraiser should guarantee a sale price. The range of figures (usually under the rubric of "Fair Market Value") provided in a formal art appraisal report are an educated guess, based on knowledge, extensive research, and analysis, of the likely performance of your art object in a stable Chinese art market. Depending on market conditions and the agent you use in selling your art, sometimes it will sell for more than the estimated Fair Market Value, and sometimes for less.

Are There Hidden Costs in Selling My Art?
Almost all forms of sale entail costs over and above the sales price--sometimes up to 50% of the gross sale price! Auction houses typically charge fees for commissions, advertising, cataloging, insurance, taxes, unsold fees, etc., which are deducted from the hammer price. Auction houses vary considerably in the amount and structure of their fees, so be sure to ask for a full explanation. The fees charged by auction houses often make it unprofitable for the average owner to sell his or her objects at auction. Selling directly to a buyer (whether a personal collector or a museum) also involves additional costs typically borne by the seller, such as insurance and shipping.

For many sales you will also need to depend on the services of an agent. The agent serves as your representative in the sale. It is his/her job to represent your interests in contacting prospective buyers, negotiating with buyers or auction houses, arranging for shipment, payment of registration fees, and so forth. All agents are paid a fee by the seller, typically in the form of a percentage of the sale price or as a retainer. It is essential that you trust your agent, and you should always investigate a prospective agent's qualifications and experience. 

Why Do I Need an Art Appraisal To Sell My Art?
If you are thinking of selling your Chinese art object soon, you need a formal art appraisal to help you maximize your sale. An art appraiser is not an art agent but an independent professional. By providing professional advice and a detailed report on how to sell your art, the appraiser helps protect you from being bullied by any potential buyers of your art work, including auction house agents, art dealers and Chinese art collectors. A formal art appraisal will explain what you have, give you the market research you need to estimate the likely performance of your art in the current market, as well as help you appreciate your Chinese art work in an articulate and professionial manner. Obtaining an art appraisal report for your Chinese art object is a crucial step if you hope to place your art work on the market.  Without it, a good original Chinese art will sell for far less than its potential value. 

Can You Represent Me after I Commission an Art Appraisal from You?
Unfortunately, we can not represent you after the delivery of an appraisal report. Our job is to provide a formal written appraisal to owners of Chinese art that will help them understand their object and know the current art market, so that they can approach galleries or auction houses with the knowledge of an insider.  Our professional standards as appraisers prevent us from serving as a middle-man or broker in the process of sale.  We could, however, provide, in addition to an appraisal, a market analysis report, some selling strategies for your art work and a list of suggested dealers or auction houses for the sale of your art object. Please Contact Us for more details.   

What Should I Do If I Need to Make an Insurance Claim?
1) Before everything, contact an art appraiser and explain your insurance needs.
2) It is always better to commission a formal appraisal report before you insure the art object. Better safe than sorry!
3) If your object is damaged and you are presenting a claim to the insurance company, provide your art appraiser with the information you gave the insurance company earlier (photos, sales receipt, prior appraisal, estimated value, etc.).
4) If you do not have an appraisal of the object conducted prior to the damage, you can still commission an art appraisal that estimates both the value of the object before damage and the after-damage value of the art work.
5) When making a claim to the insurance company, present a formal appraisal report signed by a qualified art appraiser, together with a cover letter addressed to the insurance company from the appraiser.

My Chinese Art Work Is Damaged. Should I Repair It before I Sell It?
We always recommend that unless you know exactly what you are doing, you should not attempt to repair damaged Chinese art. If your art object is not in its original condition, it is considered "altered" or "damaged." A scroll painting, for example, would be considered "altered" or "damaged" if the painting lacks the original rollers or has been remounted and put in a frame under glass. Other objects (e.g., sculpture, ceramics screens) are considered
"damaged" if they are broken or if one piece of their body is lost. Another category of damage involves mildew, significant stains or cracks on the surface of an object. Many old art objects, simply by virtue of their age, are in slightly damaged condition. This need not be a cause for alarm, and you should never move to "correct" or "repair" damage or wear without first consulting a qualified expert.

Restoring a valuable object of art requires difficult skills, age-old techniques, training, and experience. For Asian art in particular, very few craftsmen possess the necessary skills and experience. Remember too that imperfect restoration often results in the devaluation of the art work. Therefore, unless you are working with a qualified Chinese art restoration specialist or lab, it is almost always better to maintain a damaged object in its current condition and sell it as is.