If you are an antique insurance policyholder, you will have antiques that you may want valued. To do this, you’ll need to get in touch with a local auction house or antique dealer.
First of all though, you’ll want to educate yourself so that you can get the best possible valuation. You should learn about the particular collecting field to which your antique applies, perhaps by reading up at the local library. Keep in mind that you are unlikely to be able to find all of the information that you need online, particularly if you are unsure of what you are looking for. Your antique may have a distinguishing stamp or signature that you can type into a search engine. Alternatively, you could head to an auction website and look at the list of finished auctions, noting what kind of prices similar items have commanded.
Eventually, though, you’ll need to do some more research at a road show or antique shop. Browse these, and you’ll get a sense of what is presently selling and fashionable.
Once your research has been done, there are a number of ways to get your antiques valued. You could ask a local dealer or auction house for a free and informal valuation. Alternatively, if you have a specialist item that has a niche market interest, you may wish to consider finding a suitably specialist dealer or auction house. If you are struggling to find the right specialist, ask a collector’s society for their suggestions.
A free valuation service will tend to involve bringing your object or work of art to the valuation counter of the chosen auction house. From here, a specialist from the appropriate department should be happy to value your item for you, with no obligation to sell. It is always better to take the antique itself with you. If this is not possible, then you should make a note of as many details as you can. You should include such aspects as the size and condition of the item, as well as any marks. Also bring clear, well-lit and in-focus photographs that show the item from a range of different angles so that any damage or marks are visible.
Ashton Mapletoft writes for a range of insurance related topics, including ways to obtain antique insurance