Art Value Guide – What is My Fine Art Worth?
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What is My Art Worth?

How to Value Art in 3 Easy Steps

First; check the list of valuable fine art below, second; lookup the value of similar artwork sold by Heritage Auctions, and third; request a free appraisal of your original paintings, drawing and sculptures.

1

List of Valuable Artwork

This list shows the artwork that Heritage Auctions sells. There are some items we do not sell. For those we suggest you sell on a site such as eBay. Read more

This list shows the artwork that Heritage Auctions sells. There are some items we do not sell. For those we suggest you sell on a site such as eBay.

YES
  • Original paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs by recognized artists
  • Prints & Editions from established artists
  • Quality and Rare Silver, Design, and Decorative Arts by known makers
  • Select Tiffany, Lalique, and Art Glass
  • Excellent examples of Fine Asian and Ethnographic Art
NO
  • Posters and Reproductions of Art
  • Commercial figurines (e.g. Hummell, Lladro)
  • Large or Fragile Furniture
  • Most reproductions of Period Objects
  • Large stemware or dinner services not by a major maker
  • Modern Asian objects

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.

2

How to Value Your Original Artwork

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. Read more

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.

Search Archives

3

Value my painting online. Get an auction estimate of fine art

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

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.

Value My NFT Art

Heritage Auctions helps artists and sellers mint, value, and auction their NFTs. We've sold NFTs from Beeple including a set of three published individual works from The Everydays , to one of Larva Labs' coveted NFTs, CryptoPunk 6503. Contact our modern art experts for valuations of your NFTs.

Learn how to buy and sell an NFT at Heritage Auctions.

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.


Headshot photo of Taylor Gattinella

Meet our expert: Taylor Gattinella

Consignment Director
1-877-HERITAGE (877-437-4824)  x1389

Specialties: American Paintings & Sculptures, Decorative Arts, European Paintings & Sculptures, Modern & Contemporary Art, Prints & Multiples, Western & California Art
View Biography

Taylor Gattinella nurtured a lifelong passion for learning about art before joining Heritage as a Consignment Director for Fine & Decorative Arts. A double major in Art History and French at Southern Methodist University, she interned with a local auction house and was hooked from her first experience researching and handling important works of art.

Along with her time at Heritage, Gattinella has worked in the auction industry for over 10 years at houses such as Dallas Auction Gallery, Christie's and Phillips. This experience includes multiple areas of the business from Client Services to Marketing to specializing in the Fine Art secondary market. Her specialties include American Paintings & Sculptures, Decorative Arts, European Paintings & Sculptures, Modern & Contemporary Art, Prints & Multiples, and Western & California Art. 

Exploring new cities and their museums to learn about the local history and art scene is one of her greatest passions. Based in Heritage’s New York City office, she also spends much of her time frequenting the city’s numerous art institutions.