Fine Art Appraisals & Collections Management
Appraisal Services
Burke & Co. provides USPAP-compliant appraisal services for individual works of art and comprehensive collections. Our museum-based approach combines object documentation, market research, and connoisseurship to provide well-supported valuations appropriate to the intended use of the appraisal.
Collection Appraisals
Comprehensive appraisal and documentation of private, corporate, and institutional collections. We are particularly well suited to collections encompassing multiple artists, periods, and object types, including paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography, decorative arts, studio craft, furniture, and other collectible property.Insurance Appraisals — Retail Replacement Value (RRV)
Appraisals for insurance scheduling and coverage purposes, including new policies, collection additions, and periodic updates. Retail Replacement Value reflects the estimated cost to replace property with an item of like kind, quality, condition, utility, and desirability within the appropriate retail marketplace.Estate & Estate Planning Appraisals — Fair Market Value (FMV)
Appraisals for estate planning, estate settlement, estate tax, and related purposes. Fair Market Value is developed within the appropriate marketplace and in accordance with the requirements of the specific assignment.Charitable Contribution Appraisals — Fair Market Value (FMV)
Qualified appraisals for non-cash charitable contributions of fine art and other collectible property, prepared in accordance with applicable IRS requirements and USPAP.Equitable Distribution
Independent valuations for the equitable division of art and collection property in divorce, inheritance, trust, and other circumstances.Damage & Loss Appraisals
Valuation services related to damaged, lost, or destroyed artwork and collection property for insurance claims and other appropriate purposes.Appraisal Updates
Review and updating of existing appraisals when changing markets, replacement costs, or additions to a collection warrant revised values.
All appraisal assignments are developed for a specific intended use and intended user. Because different purposes may require different definitions of value, effective dates, research, and reporting requirements, an appraisal prepared for one purpose may not be appropriate for another.
Collection Management Services
Burke & Co. provides professional collection management services based on museum standards and practices. Services can be tailored to individual collectors, estates, corporations, municipalities, and institutions and may range from a focused collection project to ongoing collection oversight.
Collection Inventories & Documentation
Comprehensive inventories including photography, measurements, object information, location tracking, condition documentation, and organization of existing collection records.Cataloging & Database Management
Development, organization, cleanup, and maintenance of collection databases and digital records to improve accessibility, consistency, and long-term stewardship.Collection Assessments & Planning
Evaluation of a collection's documentation, storage, condition, insurance needs, and management practices, with recommendations for improved care and organization.Condition Surveys & Conservation Coordination
Visual condition assessments, identification of conservation priorities, and coordination with qualified conservators and other specialists when treatment is required.Provenance & Collection Research
Research into artists, makers, ownership history, exhibition history, and other documentation relevant to individual objects or a collection as a whole.Acquisition, Deaccession & Collection Review
Guidance regarding potential acquisitions, collection refinement, downsizing, and responsible disposition, including assistance identifying appropriate galleries, auction houses, or other market resources when needed.Packing, Shipping & Installation Coordination
Professional oversight and coordination of art handling, packing, transportation, installation, storage, and other collection logistics.Collection Policies & Procedures
Development of collection management policies, procedures, emergency plans, documentation standards, and other resources supporting the long-term care of private and institutional collections.
Our services are designed to help you fully understand, preserve, and maximize the value of your collection, both financially and historically. We assist clients at every stage, from acquisition and documentation to preservation, legacy planning, and valuation for a variety of purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of appraisal do I need?
The type of appraisal depends on why the valuation is needed. Insurance appraisals typically use Retail Replacement Value (RRV), while estate planning, estate tax, charitable contribution, and certain other assignments generally require Fair Market Value (FMV). Burke & Co. will help determine the appropriate type and definition of value based on the intended use of the appraisal.
How do I know if I need a professional appraisal?
A professional appraisal may be appropriate when artwork or other collection property needs to be properly insured, included in an estate or estate plan, donated to a charitable organization, divided among owners or family members, or evaluated following damage or loss. An appraisal may also be useful when a collection has not been valued for many years or when existing insurance values no longer reflect the current market.
What does an art appraisal include?
An appraisal typically begins with an inspection and documentation of the property, including photographs, measurements, identifying information, and an assessment of observable condition. Burke & Co. then conducts appropriate market research and analysis based on the artist, maker, object type, relevant marketplace, and intended use of the appraisal. The completed assignment includes a written appraisal report prepared in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Can you appraise an entire art collection?
Yes. Burke & Co. works with both individual objects and larger private, corporate, and institutional collections. Collections may include paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography, decorative arts, studio craft, furniture, and other collectible property. Our museum-based approach is particularly well suited to collections containing multiple artists, periods, and object types that require different areas of market research.
Can the same appraisal be used for insurance, estate planning, and charitable donation?
Not necessarily. The intended use of an appraisal determines the appropriate definition of value, research methodology, reporting requirements, and effective date. For example, an insurance appraisal generally develops Retail Replacement Value, while estate and charitable contribution appraisals typically require Fair Market Value. If an appraisal may be needed for more than one purpose, Burke & Co. can discuss the appropriate scope before beginning the assignment.
How often should my art collection be appraised?
There is no single schedule appropriate for every collection. Values can change as artists' markets develop, economic conditions shift, or replacement costs increase. Insurance appraisals should be reviewed periodically to ensure that coverage remains appropriate, particularly for significant or rapidly appreciating works. Burke & Co. can also provide appraisal updates when a full new appraisal is not necessary.