Photo Requirements for Chinese Art Appraisal

Requirements for Art Appraisal Photography

I. General Rules

In order to proceed with the Chinese art appraisal, you need to supply us with high-quality digital photos. JPEG format is ideal, using a high resolution (dpi 150 or greater). If the files are small, you can send them by e-mail attachment. If they are large, they should be sent in batches by e-mail attachment (three files per e-mail) or, better yet, copied onto a CD and mailed to my mailing address in New Jersey.

Angle. All photos should be taken facing the art object directly. In other words, the camera back should be perfectly parallel to the object surface.

Composing the frame. Take each photo standing as close to the object as is feasible for the shot. In other words, compose each shot to fill the camera frame as fully as possible.

Lighting. There must be enough light to see details and allow your camera to capture a crisp image. Indirect natural lighting (i.e. diffused sunlight) works best. A tripod helps immensely, if you have one. If you have to use flash, try to avoid a reflection.

Paintings behind Glass. Paintings behind glass, even the non-reflective type, do not photograph well. If possible, try to remove the painting from behind the glass. If that is not easily done (and in most cases I would NOT recommend it, since it easy to damage a painting when un-mounting it), try to use an indirect lighting source—either indirect sunlight or a lamp held at an angle to the painting (which will not reflect into the camera).

II. Specific Requirements

1. One photo of the art object showing its entirety. Be sure to include the top and bottom of the object.

2. Individual close-ups of all important artistic details - specific details (scenes, attributes, bottom, profile, etc.), seals (stamps), and any writing.

3. Close-ups of any areas of damage, plus close-ups of undamaged areas on the same object for purposes of comparison.

(Photo Examples for Decorative Arts)

Chinese Lacquer

Front View

Inscription Carving Details

III. Photo Requirements for Chinese Scroll Painting

If you have a Chinese scroll painting, please take the following additional shots, if possible.

1. One photo of the painting showing its entire framing or mounting (if any). Be sure to include the top and bottom of the scroll’s rollers (if scroll format). Be sure to include the outside edges of the mounting, frame, or roller, especially if deteriorated.

2. One photo of the entire painting itself, EXCLUDING its frame, scroll, and or material on which it is mounted.

3. Individual close-ups of all important artistic details - specific scenes, specific figures, seals, any writing (signature, title, poetry, etc.).

4. Close-ups of any areas of damage, plus close-ups of undamaged areas on the same painting for purposes of comparison.

(Photo Examples for a Scroll Painting)

Scroll Full View Painting View Inscription Close-up of Seal

How to Sell Your Chinese Art

Today, selling Chinese art can be a big problem. Almost everybody finds it difficult to initiate a sale, and if they need help, there is the added headache of finding the right agent to represent them in the Chinese art market. Many people begin by contacting the famous auction houses, but very few owners receive an insightful response—sometimes no word at all. Others spend hours on the internet without any concrete results. Many owners end the process of trying to sell their art with no knowledge about whether their object is worth anything or where to place it for sale. Do these frustrations sound familiar?

The most important thing to remember is that in order to sell any fine object of art, you need to posses solid information and formulate an educated strategy for sales. These are the two goals of a professional art appraisal: to provide the owner with the information needed to understand and appreciate the art object, and to suggest a clear strategy for sale based on analysis of the current Chinese art market. This is why you should commission an art appraisal from a qualified professional.