Appraisal · Primary Practice

Independent
Art Appraisal

A practice grounded in scholarship and the slow looking that good appraisal requires. I write independent reports and do not take consignment or broker sales, which keeps the work straightforward and the relationship clear.

Services
01

Insurance Valuation

Retail replacement value reports for fine art, works on paper, and high-value personal property, prepared for collectors and private households and structured for direct submission to underwriters.
02

Estate & Donation Appraisal

Fair market value reports for estate planning, probate, equitable distribution, and charitable contribution. Coordinated with executors, trust officers, and counsel.
03

Private Sale Counsel

Independent advisory on private treaty sales, including pricing, comparable market evidence, and negotiation strategy. I do not take consignment, which keeps the counsel uncomplicated.
04

Collection Assessment

A written survey of a holding, including strengths, gaps, conservation flags, and a long-form view of where a collection sits within its market and its moment.
05

Hermès Appraisal

Appraisal of Hermès objects across categories, including leather goods, silk, and accessories. Fair market and replacement value reports, with reference to current primary boutique pricing and authenticated resale market evidence. This practice is limited to Hermès; other luxury brands are not currently accepted.
Methodology

A report is, first, a writing assignment.

I prepare reports following the standards and methodology of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Every assignment begins with its intended use, such as insurance, estate, donation, or sale, and the corresponding value type is documented transparently.

Comparable market evidence is drawn from auction records, primary-market sales, and gallery transactions where corroborated. Provenance is verified to the extent the documentary record permits; conservation concerns are flagged and addressed in plain language.

All work is independent. I do not accept consignment, take a percentage of value, or have a financial interest in any work I appraise.

The Process
Most reports are delivered within two to four weeks. Rush work is occasionally possible.
I.
Initial conversation
A brief call to understand the work, the purpose of the appraisal, and the timeline. No obligation, no charge.
II.
Examination
In-person or via high-resolution images and provenance documents. For larger holdings, an on-site visit in the GTA or by arrangement.
III.
Research
Comparable market evidence, auction records, gallery sales, scholarly literature, and provenance verification.
IV.
Report
A written report following ISA standards, delivered in two to four weeks, with a follow-up call to walk through the findings.
ISA
Member, International Society of Appraisers. Contemporary Fine Art (Canadian & Asian)
USPAP
Compliant methodology under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
M.V.S.
Curatorial Practice, University of Toronto
B.B.A.
Applied Economics (Hons.), Wilfrid Laurier University
Enquiry

Begin with a conversation.

Initial consultations are without charge or obligation. Fee structures are flat or hourly, never a percentage of appraised value.

Request an appraisal consultation →