Expert Insights: How To Get Accurate Antique Appraisals Online

Online appraisals can be fast, affordable, and surprisingly precise—if you approach them like a pro. Whether you’re valuing a family heirloom, a flea‑market find, or an entire collection, the steps you take before, during, and after submission determine the accuracy of your result. This guide distills expert best practices to help you choose the right specialist, prepare flawless documentation, ask for the correct value type, and interpret what you receive with confidence.

What an Online Appraisal Can (and Can’t) Do

Before you upload photos, be clear about your goal and the type of value you need. “Value” is not one-size-fits-all. The most common types are:

• Fair Market Value (FMV): The price between a willing buyer and seller in the relevant market, neither under compulsion. Used for resale estimates, estate/probate, and charitable contribution valuations.
• Insurance Replacement Value (IRV): The cost to replace with a similar item at retail under normal conditions. Typically higher than FMV; used for scheduling items on insurance policies.
• Auction Estimate: A range reflecting anticipated hammer price at a specific venue and time; excludes buyer’s premium.
• Retail or Dealer Asking Value: A benchmark for gallery or shop pricing; not the same as what you would net on sale.
• Liquidation/Forced Sale Value: Lower benchmarks for urgent sales or non-optimal markets.

Match the value type to your purpose. For instance, if you’re insuring a Victorian diamond brooch, you likely need an insurance replacement value; if you plan to sell at auction, you need a fair market value or an auction estimate for the appropriate market.

Online appraisals are strongest when:

• The item category is well-documented with comparable sales (e.g., silver, mid-century furniture, known studio pottery, listed artists, branded watches).
• High-quality images clearly show condition, marks, and scale.
• The appraiser specializes in your category and market.

Consider in-person or hybrid evaluation when:

• The work’s authenticity is disputed or relies on materials analysis (e.g., Old Master paintings, rare wines, antiquities).
• Subtle condition issues drive value (e.g., hairline cracks in porcelain, re-lining in paintings).
• High value or risk requires stringent due diligence (e.g., museum-quality works, seven-figure pieces).
• The intended use requires it (e.g., some insurers, courts, or donation appraisals have format/credential requirements).

Note: In the U.S., a “Qualified Appraiser” for certain tax purposes is defined by IRS criteria, and many professional appraisers adhere to USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice). For non-tax uses, insurers, courts, or institutions may set their own requirements—ask first.

Prepare Your Item Like a Pro

Accurate values start with precise information. Organize these elements before you submit:

Core facts

• Ownership and provenance: How you acquired it; prior owners; sales receipts; exhibition labels; certificates; previous appraisals; published references.
• Exact measurements: Height × width × depth in inches/centimeters; diameter for round objects; weight for metal or jewelry.
• Materials and construction: Species of wood; type of metal; stone identification; canvas/panel type; glass/ceramic body.
• Maker’s marks and signatures: Hallmarks, assay marks, foundry stamps, serials, edition numbers, luthier labels, artist signatures and dates.
• Condition: Note wear, repairs, restorations, losses, overpainting, patina, replacements (e.g., handles, finials), working status (e.g., clock movement).
• Context of use: A matching pair or set; original upholstery or finish; whether a frame is period-appropriate.

Photographing for clarity

• Use indirect daylight or neutral lighting; avoid harsh glare. Shoot against a plain, non-reflective background.
• Provide scale: Include a ruler or tape measure in at least one image.
• Angles: Straight-on front, back, sides, top/bottom, and three-quarter views for depth.
• Details: Close-ups of marks, labels, signatures, hardware, joinery, seams, dovetails, footrim, and any damage. Use macro mode.
• Raking light: Low-angle light can reveal texture, craquelure, inpainting, or dents.
• Reverse and interior: Photograph backs of canvases (stretcher, tacking edges), interior drawers, under bases, movement plates in clocks/watches.
• Rugs and textiles: Front, back, fringes/selvages; close-up of knots per square inch/cm.
• Consistency: Keep the camera level; note color accurately. Include a neutral gray card if available.

Category-specific tips

• Paintings: Front, close-up of signature, corners, craquelure; back with any labels/stamps; stretcher and tacking margins.
• Furniture: Underside, drawer bottoms, dovetail style, screw types, wear patterns, repairs; veneer vs. solid wood details.
• Ceramics/Glass: Footrim, base wear, pontil mark (glass), glaze anomalies, hairlines, chips, restoration UV-visible if known.
• Silver/Jewelry: Hallmarks clearly; weights; stone measurements and mounting; clasp/mechanism types; test documentation if any.
• Prints/Multiples: Edition number, publisher stamp, paper watermark, margins, verso; note if trimmed or laid down.

The more complete your package, the less guesswork the appraiser must use—directly improving accuracy.

Choose the Right Online Appraisal Service

Not all online valuations are equal. Evaluate providers on independence, credentials, specialization, and reporting quality.

Credentials and standards

• Look for appraisers affiliated with recognized bodies: ASA (American Society of Appraisers), ISA (International Society of Appraisers), AAA (Appraisers Association of America), or RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), among others.
• Ask if reports are USPAP-compliant when needed, including signed certification, value definition, scope of work, limiting conditions, and a value date.
• For tax-related uses, confirm the appraiser meets jurisdictional definitions (e.g., “Qualified Appraiser” in the U.S. for IRS purposes).

Specialization and market coverage

• Match your item to a specialist category: fine art, decorative arts, Asian art, ethnographic material, jewelry, watches, books/manuscripts, automobilia, militaria, etc.
• Confirm the appraiser actively references the market relevant to your item (e.g., regional auction houses, dealer networks, current retail pricing).

Independence and ethics

• Prefer providers who will not simultaneously offer to buy the item they appraise. This prevents conflicts of interest and inflated/deflated values.
• Transparent bios: You should see the appraiser’s name, expertise, and experience.

Service model and deliverables

• Automated vs. expert: Algorithmic estimates can be useful for ballparks but are rarely reliable for insurance, legal, or high‑value decisions.
• Timelines and fees: Expect to pay per item or per report; turnaround may range from 24 hours to a week or more. Rush fees should not compromise quality.
• Report contents: Expect a clear description, identification of maker/period, methodology, comparable sales (with dates and venues), value type and conclusion, photos used, assumptions, and signature.

Red flags to avoid

• “Instant values” without photos or condition notes.
• No identifiable appraiser or credentials.
• Guaranteed high values or statements like “always appreciate.”
• A single flat number with no range, no comps, no methodology.
• Strong pressure to sell to the appraiser immediately.

Provide a Complete Submission

How you fill out the form matters. Give the appraiser the context they need to select the right market, comps, and methodology.

State your purpose and value type

• Be explicit: “Insurance scheduling—replacement value,” “Resale decision—fair market value,” or “Auction estimate for [venue/region].”
• Specify the value date: Today, or a retrospective date (e.g., date of death for estate).

Describe market assumptions

• Location: Indicate where the item is located and the likely market (local, regional, international). Market location affects shipping, buyer base, and prices.
• Sales channel preference: Auction, private sale, dealer, or retail replacement context.

Item details to include in notes

• Full measurements and weight.
• Known history and provenance; attach scans of receipts or old labels.
• Any prior expert opinions or authenticity certificates.
• Known restorations or condition issues.
• For sets: list piece counts and whether incomplete (e.g., 5 of 6 chairs).

Support the process

• Provide any comparables you have found and ask the appraiser to confirm or refine. This invites transparency and can speed consensus.
• Ask clarifying questions up front: “Will your report include comparables and a USPAP certification?” “Which market are you valuing for?” “What assumptions are you using about authenticity?”

International and category nuances

• Currency and taxes: Request values in your preferred currency; note VAT/sales tax implications for replacement values.
• Editions and variants: For prints, watches, and design objects, note exact reference numbers, edition sizes, or model variations that materially change value.

Read the Report Like an Expert (and Plan Next Steps)

A good appraisal is more than a number. It’s a reasoned opinion backed by evidence and standards.

Understand the comparables

• Relevance: Comps should be close in maker, date/period, size, materials, condition, provenance, and venue.
• Adjustments: Values are adjusted for condition (restored vs. original), completeness, rarity, and market timing. Expect an explanation of adjustments.
• Venue matters: Auction results may be lower than retail; a high retail listing is not a sale.

Interpret the conclusion

• Value range vs. point value: Ranges acknowledge market variability; insurance often states a point value reflecting replacement cost.
• Limiting conditions: You’ll see caveats about unseen condition or relying on client-supplied information. These are normal but should be proportionate.
• Assumptions about authenticity: If the appraisal assumes authenticity, it should be explicit. For high-stakes items, you may need additional authentication (artist’s estate, catalogue raisonné, lab testing).

Decide your next step

• For selling: Use the FMV or auction estimate to choose the venue. Consider costs (seller’s commission, shipping, insurance) and timing.
• For insuring: Share the replacement value with your insurer; clarify reappraisal intervals (often every 3–5 years or after major market shifts).
• For conservation: If condition heavily impacts value, consult a qualified conservator before selling or insuring.
• For research: If provenance seems promising, pursue archives, catalogues raisonnés, or expert committees as advised by the appraiser.

When to escalate to in-person

• High-value items where small condition differences swing value.
• Suspected fakes, attributions to blue-chip artists, antiquities with legal/ethical concerns.
• Items needing testing (gemological certification, pigment or metal analysis, dendrochronology, radiography).

Maintain documentation

• Keep the appraisal, photos, and supporting documents together with a value date. Update after significant market changes, restorations, or new provenance discoveries.

Quick Appraisal Accuracy Checklist

• Define your purpose and request the correct value type (FMV, replacement, auction estimate).
• Choose a specialist with relevant credentials and category expertise.
• Measure precisely and photograph thoroughly (front/back, details, marks, damage, scale).
• Document provenance, purchase history, and prior opinions.
• Disclose all condition issues and restorations; don’t guess—describe.
• State location, preferred market, and desired value date.
• Ask for a report with comps, methodology, assumptions, and signature.
• Confirm independence (no immediate purchase offers from the appraiser).
• Review comps for relevance; ask about adjustments and venue assumptions.
• Reappraise every 3–5 years or after major market shifts.

FAQ

Q: Are online appraisals accepted for insurance? A: Many insurers accept professional reports, including online appraisals, if they are prepared by a qualified appraiser and include replacement value, photos, and appropriate documentation. Always confirm your insurer’s specific requirements before commissioning.

Q: How much do online appraisals cost, and how long do they take? A: Expect per-item fees ranging from modest for lower-value items to higher for complex or high-value works. Turnaround can be 24–72 hours for straightforward items, a week or more for research-heavy cases. Rush options exist but should not sacrifice depth.

Q: Can I appraise from just one photo? A: You’ll get a more accurate result with multiple angles, scale, and details. Single-photo submissions often force broader ranges or conditional assumptions. Invest time in good photography; it pays off in precision.

Q: What if the report value seems too high or too low? A: Ask the appraiser to walk you through the comps and adjustments. Provide any additional information (better photos, provenance) and request a revision if warranted. If concerns persist, seek a second opinion from another qualified specialist.

Q: Will an online appraisal authenticate my item? A: Appraisals assess value based on available evidence and stated assumptions; they are not, by themselves, certificates of authenticity. For items where authenticity drives value, you may need expert committee opinions, lab testing, or in-person examination as advised in the report.

By aligning your goals, choosing the right expert, and providing meticulous information, you can obtain accurate, defensible online appraisals that stand up to scrutiny—and help you make smart decisions about insuring, keeping, or selling your antiques and art.