We provide competent, independent, impartial and objective art appraisals for insurance, estate and charitable donation purposes. Our clients include private, corporate and institutional collectors, executors, bank trust departments, insurance companies and counsel.  We serve the San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma/Napa, Silicon Valley and beyond.  Jeanie Craig is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with a specialty designation in Fine Art awarded by the American Society of Appraisers.

The appraisal process consists of three components:
• On-site examination and documentation of artwork
• Research and report writing
• The completed appraisal report

Our appraisals are thoroughly researched legal documents that satisfy all insurance industry and Internal Revenue Service valuation requirements and adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP 2024-25) and the Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). We are qualified appraisers, as defined and required by the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax appraisals. Support services include detailed, illustrated artwork inventories and catalogs. We maintain strict confidentiality while providing collection management and appraisal services in the most time and cost efficient manner. Fees are determined by the type and complexity of the appraisal as well as the number of works involved, and are based on an hourly or flat-fee project rate and not on the value of the property appraised. Fee estimates are provided to the prior to the start of the appraisal process. Below are the types of art appraisal reports we have prepared for clients:

Insurance Coverage – Each appraised object is thoroughly examined, photographed and researched, then catalogued and valued on a retail replacement basis. This is essential information in the event of damage or loss. Replacement value is defined as the highest amount required to purchase a property of a similar age, quality, origin, appearance, provenance and condition within a reasonable length of time in an appropriate and relevant market.

Charitable Contribution –  Fair market value appraisals are required by the IRS for qualifying non-cash charitable contributions that exceed $5,000 (See IRS publications 526 and 561, linked herein on the Resources page). Donated artwork is valued as of the date the receiving institution officially accepts the work into their collection. The artwork must be officially accepted by the institution on or before December 31st to receive a tax deduction for the same year. The IRS defines fair market value as the price for which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under a compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.(Treasury Reg. 20.2031-1)

Estate or Inheritance Taxes – Comprehensive estate appraisals include on-site examinations, color photographs which meet IRS requirements, full cataloging and valuation using fair market value based on documented comparable sales. Artwork in an estate is valued as of the date of death or an alternative date 6 months to the day after the date of death. See IRS Form 706, linked herein on the Resources page.

Equitable Distribution – Accurate and professionally prepared appraisals are an important tool in making equitable distribution possible when planning for the division of assets to family members, or when a business partnership or marriage is dissolved.

Gift Tax – A fair market value appraisal may be required when works of art are gifted from one person to another. Artwork that is gifted is valued as of the date of the gift. See IRS Form 709, linked herein on the Resources page.

Damage/Loss – Photo documentation and forensic examination is necessary to determine the nature and extent of damage, the probable cause and the condition and replacement value prior to damage. We can refer you to conservation experts for advice on the proper method of restoration or conservation, the probable outcome of such treatment and the realities of devaluation.

Art appraiser, San Francisco
Art appraisals, San Francisco