Original paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs by recognized artists, and objects of virtu aka objects d'art are generally worth the most and have enough value to warrant consigning for auction. Silverware and silver designs, art glass works by Lalique and Tiffany & Co., plus decorative arts and works of design may also be valuable.

Due to processing costs, we have a minimum total consignment value requirement of $5,000 and individual minimum lot value of $1,000. We may make exceptions when consigning entire estates or collections.

Browse auction archives for actual selling price of art. Sort and browse through thousands of past auctions to find actual selling prices in our fine and decorative art.

How to Value Paintings and Sculptures - 5 things to need to know to value art:

• Is it original?
  Are you certain you have an original painting or sculpture? An original print would be signed and/or numbered. Reproductions, including posters of art, are not handled by Heritage.
• Can the artist be identified?
  Thoroughly examine the artwork for any signatures, initials, inscriptions or other markings that indicate the name of the artist (or maker in the case of decorative arts). This information is not always front-and-center; check the bottoms and back sides as well. You may wish to get the assistance of a framer or restorer to look under linings and frames, if that's possible to do without causing damage. With the artist identified, there are several resources, both online and off, which you can consult to learn more about him or her and get a rough idea of their work's importance, including recent sales of the artist's work, museums and galleries with the artist's work in their possession, etc.
• What condition is it in?
  Is there any visible damage? Any areas of visible repair? Is the color strong or faded? Is it dirty or clean? Again, you may wish to get the opinion of a restorer. (DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO ANY RESTORATION/CONSERVATION WORK YOURSELF.) Often, works that have never been touched, though dirty and in need of repair, have more value than ones that have been. 
• How was it acquired?
  Did you obtain it directly from the artist or from a dealer/gallery/auction house? Was it inherited? Do you have any documentation to verify how it was acquired?
• What other details do you know?
  Dimensions, date, title, medium (the materials it's made of), historical provenance (chain of ownership), etc. are all facts which, when documented, can help determine the value of an artwork. Work from a certain period in the artist's life, for example, might be more valuable than that from other periods; the same could be said for working in a medium or size that was not the norm for the artist.

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Ready to sell your valuable artwork? With the above information in hand, please complete the Free Auction Evaluation Form.

We will do our best to respond within a few business days. An auction estimate is the likely value your artwork would obtain in a Heritage auction.

Free Auction Estimate

If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning, insurance, etc., please contact our  Appraisal Services Department. Charges for formal written appraisals are based on our experts' time.  Appraisal fee schedule can be viewed here.