Specialist Valuation
Specialist Valuation refers to the expert assessment of art, antiques, and collectibles to determine their market value. This is a crucial service in auction houses where professionals examine items to decide their worth based on factors like condition, rarity, history, and market demand. It's different from general appraisals because it requires deep knowledge in specific areas, such as fine art, jewelry, furniture, or rare books. Think of it as similar to how a real estate expert values unique properties, but for valuable collectible items instead.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Specialist Valuation for private collections of 18th-century furniture
Provided Specialist Valuations for estate sales valued over $1M
Led Specialist Valuation team for Asian ceramics department
Typical job title: "Specialist Valuers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Specialist Valuers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle complex valuations where there are few market comparables?
Expected Answer: A senior valuer should discuss their methodology for researching similar items, considering historical sales data, consulting with other experts, and using multiple approaches to determine value. They should also mention how they document their reasoning.
Q: Describe a challenging valuation you've handled and how you reached your conclusion.
Expected Answer: Looking for examples of managing difficult situations, like disputed valuations or rare items, showing problem-solving skills and deep market knowledge.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when valuing an artwork?
Expected Answer: Should mention provenance, condition, artist's market performance, size, medium, authenticity, and current market trends. Should also discuss how they research and document these factors.
Q: How do you stay current with market trends and prices?
Expected Answer: Should discuss following auction results, attending art fairs, networking with dealers, reading trade publications, and maintaining databases of comparable sales.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between fair market value and auction value?
Expected Answer: Should explain that fair market value is the price in a private sale between willing parties, while auction value might be higher due to competitive bidding or lower due to the forced-sale nature.
Q: What documentation do you prepare for a valuation?
Expected Answer: Should mention condition reports, photographs, research notes, comparable sales data, and formal valuation reports with clear justification for the value given.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic item assessment and documentation
- Research of comparable sales
- Condition reporting
- Understanding of market categories
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent valuations
- Market analysis
- Client relationship management
- Specialization in specific categories
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex valuation projects
- Team leadership
- Expert witness services
- High-value item authentication
Red Flags to Watch For
- No formal training in art history or relevant field
- Lack of market knowledge or recent sales data
- Poor documentation practices
- No experience with authentication methods
Related Terms
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