WhatsApp usWhen an artwork needs restoration, one of the first questions people ask is: “What is it worth?”
Whether your piece is a family heirloom, a recent discovery or a beloved antique, understanding its value can help you make informed decisions about care, insurance or sale.
In many cases, paintings and antiques have a sentimental or historic importance that goes beyond pounds and pennies. In other circumstances it is deemed sensible to weigh up the cost of restoration versus an auction estimate. In this article, we will explore how to research your painting or antique’s worth and what to consider before seeking a professional valuation.
How to Find Out If Your Painting Is Valuable
Artwork can be prized for artistic merit, historical importance or a strong emotional connection to their owner. Our conservation team has expertise in the care and preservation of fine art, but they also have some great advice when it comes to looking into whether your painting is a lost treasure or simply a beautiful decorative piece. There are a few ways to begin your valuation journey.
We recommend that in the first instance you do a little research via an online search engine. Reverse Image Search on Google will allow you to find visually similar results. Simply upload a picture instead of typing in a search phrase and Google will show you results from all over the world. This is a helpful way of finding out if your piece is a copy of a famous artwork or has a similar appearance to a certain era or art movement.
Having a copy of a famous artwork does not necessarily mean it is worthless. Over the centuries, many artists have copied the masters who came before them, with some holding value in their own right due to the quality and their proximity to the original era. If your artwork is an exact copy, it may be a print – see our notes below on investigating oleographs.
Here are 10 key points to consider in your valuation research:
- Start with the basics: look at the subject: is it a landscape, portrait, still life? Describe it in simple terms when you search.
- Materials: make a note of the materials such as oil on canvas, watercolour, etc.
- Size & condition: measure the artwork and note any damage.
- Signature or initials: check the bottom corners, back or edges for a name, initials or monogram. Photograph these areas clearly, you may be able to conduct a reverse image search on this detail alone and in some cases it can bring up a match.
- Gallery labels: look for exhibition stickers or frame-maker’s stamps on your artwork for clues into its history. This may include handwritten notes, old prices or inventory numbers.
- Canvas or board type: for antique art, a traditional linen canvas may suggest quality whilst cardboard or fibreboard may be a mass-produced print.
- Frame: handmade or ornate gilt frames often indicate age and value.
- Keywords: if you have an artist name, include search terms like auction or sale to bring up any current or past results.
- Recent sale prices: the past 3 to 5 years are the most relevant.
- Compare: the size, subject, and condition – smaller or damaged pieces may sell for less.
Painting or Print? How to Tell the Difference
It is typical that a print may appear to be a painting to the untrained eye. This is nothing to be embarrassed about, as sometimes prints purposely add texture, crack lines or a glazed finish to appear as if they are a real painting.
Below you can see the details of a print (often appearing as small dots) vs. the texture of a 17th century oil painting on panel.
These prints are called oleographs if they are trying to appear like a real painting. If your artwork is an exact replica of a famous painting or seems to have faded colours, look closely at the surface as you may be able to see the printed ink. Oleographs often have a blue tone if they are old and have been exposed to the sun – as this colour is one of the last to fade.
Researching Market Prices and Art Databases
Now that you have a few keywords about your painting from this Google search, you may be able to search on online catalogues to see previous sales by an artist. Some of these websites will require a subscription or membership, whilst others are free to search.
We do not recommend relying on platforms such as eBay, as these prices have been determined by an individual who may not be an expert and they may never actually sell for the price listed. Art valuation experts would generally not rely on this sort of information.
These databases include information about paintings, works on paper, ceramics, furniture and more:
MutualArt
Global auction database with alerts and market analysis.
Artnet
Helpful for fine art when it has an established artist.
The Saleroom
Database of current or recent UK auctions and antiques.
BidtoArt
Free, wide coverage of art and collectibles.
Artprice
Over 30 million auction results worldwide.
Artsy Price Database
Good for modern and contemporary artists.
Barnebys
Covers art, antiques, and collectibles from 2,000+ dealers.
AskART
Great for tracking lesser-known artists.
LOT-ART
Comprehensive global auction database.
Art Metadata
Offers tools for private collectors.
Getting a Professional Art Valuation
An official valuation can be paid for or obtained from an auctioneer. Auction houses will only want to give a value if you are interested in selling the item in the near future, though some may be more open to a broad conversation. You can also speak to companies that offer a paid valuation service. Both of these options will allow you to have a price in writing that can be used for insurance purposes and your own records.
Leading auction houses include Christie’s (Worldwide), Sotheby’s (Worldwide), Bonhams (Worldwide), Phillips (Worldwide), Cheffins (Cambridge), Tennants (Leyburn), Dreweatts (Newbury), Woolley & Wallis (Salisbury), Sworders (Stansted Mountfitchet), Lyon & Turnbull (Edinburgh & London), Chiswick (London), Roseberys (London), Mallams (Oxford & Abingdon) and Hansons (Derbyshire)
We always recommend that you speak to a local auction house, as most towns will have a smaller scale antique specialist that is more likely to engage with you about an unknown painting than larger businesses. The bigger auction houses in London and worldwide can provide estimates for auction, but these are usually reserved for very significant pieces.
For a paid valuation, you can approach the following services:
Quastel Associates
Specialising in valuations of fine art, antiques, jewellery & watches for insurance, buying and selling.
ValueMyStuff
Online expert valuations of art, antiques & collectibles. You upload photos, select the category and get a professional report (PDF certificate and database record) with attribution, auction-estimate and insurance value.
Kate Bliss Ltd
Specialist valuations across jewellery, fine art and antiques. This is an independent valuer recognised by insurance and legal professions.
Coram James Art & Antique Advisors
Professional, RICS accredited art and antiques valuation firm.
Nicholas Muston Valuations
Independent firm of professionally qualified valuers specialising in antiques, art, jewellery, watches etc. for insurance, sale and probate.
Richard Plant Valuations
Antiques and fine art valuer in Leicestershire, offering valuations for insurance and inheritance.
My Art Broker
An art broker specialising in modern and contemporary prints and editions (blue-chip artists) using a data-driven platform for valuations, collection tracking and selling via their global network.
Restoration Before Valuation or Sale
Before selling or insuring your artwork, professional restoration can improve both its appearance and value. Our expert conservators can assess damage, clean surfaces and stabilise materials to enhance the piece’s presentation and longevity.
If your artwork requires cleaning, repair or preservation, we can help. Simply fill out our online form to receive a free, no-obligation estimate for professional conservation.
Above: our conservator cleaning the surface of an early 20th century portrait
Contact Our Team
As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio. E-mail us via [email protected] or call 0207 112 7576 for more information.