The Museum cannot offer valuations, appraisals, or authentications of artwork. If you are in need of these services, you may want to try one of the following resources*:
- Appraisers specialize in researching works of art and determining their value. They provide a written report that includes a detailed description of an object, information about the artist if known, and the object’s fair market value. There is a fee involved, but this appraisal can be used for insurance, trust, and tax purposes. To find an appraiser, visit the Appraisers Association of America website at http://www.appraisersassoc.org and click on Find An Appraiser. This site has appraisers listed by specialty (paintings, prints, ceramics, etc.) and by geographic area.
- Auction houses buy and sell works of art by offering them up for bid at public sales. They typically offer free consultations with an appraiser, with no obligation to sell your object. These consultations are verbal rather than written. Auction houses may offer free information about an object, including a general value range (i.e. auction estimate), if you contact them by email with a digital image and any information you might have about the object (material, artist, date, dimensions, condition, etc.). Some auction houses you may want to contact include:
- Fairfield Auction (www.fairfieldauction.com). Monroe, CT. (203) 880.5200
- Past to Present Antiques (www.pasttopresentct.com). Niantic, CT. (860)449.3312
- Shannon’s (www.shannons.com). Milford, CT. (203) 877.1711
- Skinner (www.skinnerinc.com) Marlborough, MA office. (617) 350.5400
- Freeman’s (www.freemansauction.com). Boston, MA office. (617) 367.3400
- Sotheby’s (www.sothebys.com). New York office. (212) 606.7000
- Christie’s (www.christies.com). New York office. (212) 636.2000
- Appraisal Events are offered by many local organizations and are similar to Antiques Roadshow. Try searching the Internet for “appraisal night” and “Connecticut,” for example, and you might find historical societies, senior centers, and realtors having appraisal events. There is usually a small fee to participate, as these events are frequently fundraisers for the organizations that hosts them.
- Consider donating! After finding out more about your artwork or artifact, you might consider donating it to the Lyman Allyn. Objects accepted for the permanent collection are cared for long term so that generations of visitors can enjoy and appreciate them. Due to space and financial constraints, we cannot accept everything we are offered, however, if you have a special object that you would like to donate to the Museum, please contact us at 860.443.2545.
*This list of resources is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.
Conservation Inquiries
For questions about object conservation (to responsibly repair or restore an artwork or antique) the American Institute for Conservation has a national referral system for finding qualified conservators in your region. https://www.culturalheritage.org/professional-membership/find-a-professional.