Hi Appraisers,
In this article, I will discuss using web resources to assist in object identification and object valuation. The intent of this article is to provide a framework for what is available to assist when identifying and appraising objects.
An interesting aspect of the internet is that there is no requirement for the accuracy of information and verifying claims made. It reminds me of the wild west, where anyone can post and say anything they want with little or no validation of the accuracy of the information.
What does this mean? It means that there is a lot of information to be obtained and it is up to the appraiser to review and determine the validity of the information and how useful it may be to identifying and assigning valuations to objects.
Search Engines
The standard search engines, like Google, Yahoo, and Bing are useful to help with object identification. While there are many print resources available, search engines can provide additional insight into a maker, a particular artist, and even images of same or similar objects.
Searching the web may be a supplement to using trusted sources like auction results databases. For example, a search for a little known artist may reveal additional information that is available since the latest print information about that artist.
With the explosion of blogs that are updated frequently, there is a good possibility that additional information is available all the time about artists, makers, and objects.
Realized Prices Databases
There are several databases of auction realized prices available on the internet. Most are available for a subscription fee, and others are free (as of the writing of this blog.)
www.realizedprices.com
This is a newcomer to the internet being launched within the last month. There is no subscription fee to access the information. It is described by the publisher as:
“Realizedprices.com is now available as an additional tool when looking for comparables for antiques and decorative arts. It has a comprehensive listing of all the major auction houses in the United States complete with links. This unique site offers a searchable database for sold and unsold lots. Also part of the site is a searchable antiques glossary with images. Designed and maintained by an accredited appraiser this site is a must see. Best of all it's FREE.”
Notes: This is not meant to be a complete list, but rather sites that were identified over the course of doing web searches. Please comment on this article if you know of other sources.
www.p4aantiquesreference.com
Prices for Antiques appears to have been around for several years and reports to draw data from about 50 leading regional auction houses and other selected specialist auctions.
I did not find the pricing for a subscription on the site. Please comment if you have any additional information
www.artnet.com
Artnet reports to be the place to buy, sell, and research fine art online. The site reports to get information from over 2200 galleries worldwide with more than 166,000 artworks and over 39,000 artists. Access to the prices is available via subscription with prices for the art database starting at $29.95 for 30 days that includes up to 10 searches per day.
www.christies.com
Christies has auction results on their web site. I was able to access individual recent auction results with great detail with no subscription. The site has very robust search and filtering capability to locate a specific artist, maker, title, or object description.
www.findartinfo.com
Findartinfo is a site that reports to have art prices to search for free for over 285,000 artists, over 2 million art prices and almost 1 million photos of artwork.
There are many more resources on the web for finding out additional information about objects, makers, and artists. I encourage all appraisers to fire up the search engine and just look around at what is out there.
Brian Hiatt
Collectorpro Software Inc.
www.collectorpro.com
information@collectorpro.com
In this article, I will discuss using web resources to assist in object identification and object valuation. The intent of this article is to provide a framework for what is available to assist when identifying and appraising objects.
An interesting aspect of the internet is that there is no requirement for the accuracy of information and verifying claims made. It reminds me of the wild west, where anyone can post and say anything they want with little or no validation of the accuracy of the information.
What does this mean? It means that there is a lot of information to be obtained and it is up to the appraiser to review and determine the validity of the information and how useful it may be to identifying and assigning valuations to objects.
Search Engines
The standard search engines, like Google, Yahoo, and Bing are useful to help with object identification. While there are many print resources available, search engines can provide additional insight into a maker, a particular artist, and even images of same or similar objects.
Searching the web may be a supplement to using trusted sources like auction results databases. For example, a search for a little known artist may reveal additional information that is available since the latest print information about that artist.
With the explosion of blogs that are updated frequently, there is a good possibility that additional information is available all the time about artists, makers, and objects.
(To Read the Rest of the article click the Read More Link below)
Realized Prices Databases
There are several databases of auction realized prices available on the internet. Most are available for a subscription fee, and others are free (as of the writing of this blog.)
www.realizedprices.com
This is a newcomer to the internet being launched within the last month. There is no subscription fee to access the information. It is described by the publisher as:
“Realizedprices.com is now available as an additional tool when looking for comparables for antiques and decorative arts. It has a comprehensive listing of all the major auction houses in the United States complete with links. This unique site offers a searchable database for sold and unsold lots. Also part of the site is a searchable antiques glossary with images. Designed and maintained by an accredited appraiser this site is a must see. Best of all it's FREE.”
Notes: This is not meant to be a complete list, but rather sites that were identified over the course of doing web searches. Please comment on this article if you know of other sources.
www.p4aantiquesreference.com
Prices for Antiques appears to have been around for several years and reports to draw data from about 50 leading regional auction houses and other selected specialist auctions.
I did not find the pricing for a subscription on the site. Please comment if you have any additional information
www.artnet.com
Artnet reports to be the place to buy, sell, and research fine art online. The site reports to get information from over 2200 galleries worldwide with more than 166,000 artworks and over 39,000 artists. Access to the prices is available via subscription with prices for the art database starting at $29.95 for 30 days that includes up to 10 searches per day.
www.christies.com
Christies has auction results on their web site. I was able to access individual recent auction results with great detail with no subscription. The site has very robust search and filtering capability to locate a specific artist, maker, title, or object description.
www.findartinfo.com
Findartinfo is a site that reports to have art prices to search for free for over 285,000 artists, over 2 million art prices and almost 1 million photos of artwork.
There are many more resources on the web for finding out additional information about objects, makers, and artists. I encourage all appraisers to fire up the search engine and just look around at what is out there.
Brian Hiatt
Collectorpro Software Inc.
www.collectorpro.com
information@collectorpro.com
Dave Maloney Said,
Thanks for this, Brian. I had not heard of www.realizedprices.com before.
Posted on September 26, 2009 at 6:16 AM
Suzanne Houck Said,
Thanks. One can never have enough sites for comparables. I had not heard of realizedprices.com. www.liveauctioneers.com is another good free site for quick checks.
Posted on September 28, 2009 at 1:26 PM
BZH Said,
Hi Brian:
Thanks for the new site www.realizedprices.com.
Recently I was called down to do an appraisal for a prominent estate in NY where there was a large inventory of Elizabethan furniture. There is little information available in the regular auction result databases. I found this site www.the-saleroom.com (Antiques Trade Gazette) which had numerous auction results on English furniture especially on Elizabethan furniture.
Thanks
Ben Z Horowitz, AAA
www.BZH.us
Posted on September 29, 2009 at 8:07 PM
tom helms Said,
Great information. Thanks
Tom Helms
A-Z Appraisal
Posted on September 30, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Anonymous Said,
Having a good updated resource of antiques websites I find critical-- to the extent that about 5 yrs ago I started a listing organized by form, period, nationality, etc. that I offer for $30 a yr. It's updated 6 times each subscription yr (Sept-Aug). Anyone interested in getting the latest copy, complimentary, to see if it works for you, email me at Francine@ArtAntiqueInfo.com.
Posted on September 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM