How Experts Appraise Antiques
Learn the methods we use - from AI analysis to provenance research - for accurate valuations
Why Proper Valuation is Crucial
- ✓ Estate settlements require fair distribution values
- ✓ Sellers maximize profits with accurate pricing
- ✓ Collectors avoid overpaying for misrepresented items
7 Key Factors That Determine an Item's True Value
1 Market Demand
Current trends and collector interest significantly impact worth.
2 Rarity & Scarcity
Limited editions, discontinued items, or low supply increase value.
3 Condition & Authenticity
Pristine, well-documented items command premium prices.
4 Provenance & History
Ownership records, celebrity ties, or historical significance add value.
5 Recent Comparable Sales
Past auction results or private sales set pricing benchmarks.
6 Economic Climate
Inflation, currency fluctuations, and buyer purchasing power play a role.
7 Expert Appraisal
Certified valuations ensure credibility and accuracy.
4 Auction House Appraisal Secrets
Methods used by Sotheby's & Christie's experts
The Corner Check Method
Pro TipWhy experts inspect corners first:
- Reveals wood types through unfinished sections
- Shows construction techniques
- Exposes hidden repairs
The Auction Filter Strategy
How dealers find perfect comparable sales:
- Search our 5M auction records
- Search and filter by title, date, era, condition, location
- Compare 3-5 matching items
Our AI vs. Free Online Estimates
| Generic Tools | Our AI System | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sources | Limited price guides | 5M verified auction results |
| Condition Analysis | Basic checklist | Image recognition AI |
| Price Accuracy | +/-40% variance | +/-12% variance |
Try Our Valuation Tool
- No registration required
- Get results in 60 seconds
- Free basic valuation
Victorian Chair: $300 vs $2,168
How proper identification uncovered hidden value:
- Identified Rococo Revival Carved characteristics
- Confirmed Rococo Revival under arms
- Matched to rare 1882 catalog example
Owner's Guess
$300-700
Based on generic searchesOur Valuation
$2,168
Using AI + auction dataAppraisal FAQs
Traditional in-person appraisals cost $200-$500 per item, while Appraizely's AI-powered valuations start with 3 free valuations. Premium plans offer unlimited access at a fraction of the cost. View pricing plans.
An appraisal is a formal, certified document (often USPAP-compliant) used for insurance, tax, or legal purposes. A valuation is a market-based estimate of what your item could sell for. Our AI tool provides valuations, and our PDF reports can serve as supporting documentation.
Our AI achieves +/-15% accuracy compared to final auction prices by analyzing 5M+ verified auction records. It excels at categories with strong sales history. For rare or unique items, we recommend supplementing AI results with our auction database search.