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Putting value to any antique is a complex process whether to a buyer or a seller. Treasured for its age, form and rarity, an antique requires meticulous study and expert handling. While antique experts and seasoned collectors have acquired the skills to detect the authenticity and significance of antiques whether historical or artistic, first-time collectors or first-time sellers need the help of an antique appraiser.

For owners of antiques, appraisals do not necessarily mean that the items have to be sold. Having the antiques appraised will only tell the monetary value and artistic or historical importance of the items, or for insurance purposes. Insurance protects antiques but note that some home insurance policies do not cover antique collections in the home. Therefore, having an antique appraisal will help the owner decide if he or she needs to purchase a separate insurance policy for the antique collection.

The Process of Antique Appraisal

Antique appraisal is a method of determining the value of antiques. Generally, an appraisal refers to an educated opinion of a knowledgeable individual who has no interest on the value of the item. The process of antique appraisal may take about a month to provide detailed information on the item. The appraisal, which is a legal document, describes the item appraised, provides an analysis of the market, place and date of the appraisal, value of the antique, ethical laws, fee policy and an appraisal certificate.

An antique appraiser gives considerable importance on the market analysis because some item may not be as significant from one place to another. Therefore, it is important that the appraiser is aware of the different market valuation.

Looking for the Right Appraiser

Antique appraisers, are professional experts in antique appraisals. They have different areas of specialization, either to a kind of antique or a particular era. It is advisable to seek and match the right antique appraiser who specializes on the antique that requires appraisal.

To get an accurate evaluation of an antique, an appraiser must see the item first hand. A good and experienced antique appraiser should have in-depth knowledge about antiques which he or she may have acquired through education, extensive research on books or in the internet, or by direct process like the repeated and actual buying of antiques.

A trustworthy and meticulous antique appraiser would be able to provide significant details about an antique item such as its era, style or form, uses, rarity and sometimes, even the artist or maker.

Through these details, the antique appraiser would be able to identify the value of an antique. If a collector is looking for a specific antique, an antique appraiser is also a credible source of information on how to locate antique shops holding that particular item.

Nowadays, online antique appraisers are available. If an antique owner desires to have an item appraised immediately, he or she may contact online antique appraisers. Mostly, these types of appraisers rely on photos of the item and through descriptions. Online antique appraisers should have the qualified skills and knowledge on appraising antiques. However, they may provide limited information on an antique object because of the inability to see the antique personally. Hence, it is important to research for credible online antique appraisers backed with extensive experience on antique appraising.

The process of antique appraisals is expensive and lengthy. Thus, it is recommended that the antique owner should take considerable effort to search for highly experienced antique appraisers so as not to waste time and money.