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. The practice covers contemporary fine art and Hermès; traditional and antique Asian art is its own discipline, and I refer those enquiries to specialists in that field.

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 & Authentication

Appraisal and authentication of Hermès: leather goods including Birkin, Kelly, and exotic skins, silk scarves, and accessories. Written authentication opinions and fair market or replacement value reports, with reference to current boutique pricing and authenticated resale market evidence. This practice is limited to Hermès; other luxury brands are not 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. Much of the contemporary work I appraise, particularly by living artists of the Asian diaspora, carries little or no auction history; its market lives in gallery sales and art fairs, which I follow directly as a working gallerist. 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. I do not appraise works that SSEW Project represents, sells, or has sold; the gallery and the appraisal practice are kept strictly separate.

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
Questions

Asked in every first call.

How much does a fine art appraisal cost in Canada?

Fees are flat or hourly and quoted in advance, never a percentage of appraised value, which keeps the valuation independent. A single-work written report starts at CAD $400; Hermès appraisals start at $300 per item. Multi-work collections are tiered per item, with the fee confirmed in writing after a complimentary scoping call.

How long does an appraisal take?

Most written reports are delivered within two to four weeks of examination. Rush work is occasionally possible; timelines are confirmed during the initial conversation.

Can you appraise works remotely, from photographs?

Yes. Examination can proceed via high-resolution images and provenance documents. For larger holdings, I conduct on-site visits across the Greater Toronto Area, or elsewhere by arrangement.

Do you appraise Hermès bags and accessories?

Yes. Hermès is the one luxury house this practice accepts, for both appraisal and authentication. I prepare written authentication opinions and fair market or replacement value reports for Hermès leather goods, including Birkin, Kelly, Constance, and exotic skins, as well as silk scarves and accessories, with reference to current boutique pricing and authenticated resale market evidence. Other luxury brands are not accepted.

Are your reports suitable for insurance and CRA purposes?

Reports follow ISA standards and USPAP methodology, and are written for their intended use: retail replacement value for insurance underwriters, fair market value for estate, probate, and CRA charitable donation purposes. Every report documents its value type and methodology transparently.

Do you buy, sell, or take consignment of works you appraise?

No. The appraisal practice is fully independent: no consignment, no commission, no percentage of value. I do not appraise works that SSEW Project represents, sells, or has sold.

Do you appraise antique or traditional Asian art?

No. The practice covers contemporary fine art and Hermès. Traditional and antique Asian art is its own discipline, and I am glad to refer those enquiries to specialists in that field.

Do you work with clients outside Toronto?

Yes. Remote examination makes most engagements possible across Canada, and reports can be delivered in English or Chinese.
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 →