How Estate Item Evaluation Works — What Did You Inherit

From photos to evaluation in 24 to 48 hours

You photograph your items

Take a photo of each item against a neutral background if possible. You need two types of photos: one overall shot that shows the full item, and at least one close-up of any markings, labels, signatures, stamps, or unusual details. If the item has marks on the bottom or back, photograph those too.

You do not need a professional camera. A phone camera in good light is sufficient. Blurry photos or dark photos slow down the process, but a clear phone photo is everything you need.

What to photograph

You submit photos and a brief description

Upload your photos and write a brief description. The more you can tell us, the better — but there is no minimum. Useful information includes the approximate size, what material it appears to be made from, any words or numbers you can see on the piece, and where it came from if you know (a relative's home, a specific region or country, a time period).

If you genuinely don't know anything about the item, say so. "I have no idea what this is" is a perfectly complete submission. The photos are what matter.

Takes under 10 minutes

A specialist reviews and researches your items

Your submission is reviewed by someone with direct experience in antiques and estate items. The review process involves examining your photos for construction details, stylistic clues, and identifying marks, then researching comparable auction results and current dealer pricing for similar items.

For straightforward items, this research takes a few hours. For unusual or complex pieces — an unidentified painting, an unusual ceramic mark, an object with an unclear origin — it may take longer. We will contact you if we need additional photographs or information.

24–48 hours typical

You receive a written evaluation by email

The evaluation will tell you: what the item likely is, its approximate age and origin, an estimated value range at auction or retail, and a recommended path forward. The range reflects realistic current market conditions, not optimistic estimates.

If items appear to have significant value — generally over $1,000 — a specialist may follow up by phone to discuss consignment or next steps in detail. There is no obligation to proceed.

Written response via email

What We Look For

What makes estate items valuable — and what doesn't

Indicators of value

These factors consistently correlate with higher auction and dealer prices:

Maker's marks, labels, or signatures from known manufacturers
Period-appropriate construction details (hand-cut joinery, specific secondary woods)
Precious metal content in jewelry or silverware
Provenance — documented history of ownership or origin
Rarity — unusual forms, colors, or subjects
Condition — original finish, minimal repairs, working mechanisms
Current collector market activity for the category

Common misconceptions

These factors are frequently assumed to indicate value, but do not:

Age alone — old does not automatically mean valuable
Family stories about origin or purchase price
Appearing in a similar style to famous pieces
"Antique" labels or tags added after manufacture
Weight — heavy ceramics or metalwork are not inherently more valuable
Certificates without provenance documentation
Being part of a large collection — quantity doesn't compound value

The surprise category: ceramics

American art pottery is one of the most frequently undervalued categories in estate items. Pieces from Rookwood, Roseville, Weller, Hull, Grueby, Marblehead, and dozens of smaller regional potteries regularly sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars — but are often discarded as "old vases." If you have ceramics with a mark or stamp on the bottom, photograph it before assuming it has no value.

The surprise category: paintings

Oil paintings by unknown artists are routinely donated to thrift stores and sold for a few dollars. A significant percentage of these have real auction value. Factors that matter: large size, canvas rather than board, competent or distinctive execution, and any markings on the front or back. A painting does not need a recognizable signature to be worth evaluating — unsigned paintings can still have significant value. Many regional artists have dedicated collector markets that are invisible to general searches.

After the Evaluation

Your options when items have value

Option 01

Auction consignment

For items with strong collector demand and values above $500–$1,000, auction consignment typically achieves the highest return. We connect you with the appropriate auction house for your item's category. Timeline from consignment to payment is typically three to six months. The auction house earns a seller's commission, typically fifteen to twenty-five percent of the hammer price.

Option 02

Dealer sale

For items with moderate values or when a faster transaction is preferred, direct sale to a dealer is the right choice. Dealers typically offer fifty to seventy percent of retail value in exchange for immediate payment and no waiting period. We can recommend appropriate dealers for your item's category and region.

Option 03

Keep or donate

Not every evaluation ends in a sale. Many items turn out to have modest market value but significant personal or sentimental significance. Others are genuinely worth more to you than to a collector. A clear evaluation lets you make that decision with full information rather than wondering what you gave away.

Frequently asked about the process

After you submit photos, a specialist reviews your submission and researches the items. Most evaluations are completed within 24 to 48 hours. You will receive a written response by email that identifies the item, provides an estimated value range, and recommends a path forward. If your items appear to have significant value, the specialist may follow up by phone or email to discuss next steps in more detail.

Antique furniture value is determined by period, maker, condition, and current collector demand. The most valuable pieces are typically from recognized periods: American Federal and Empire (1780–1840), Victorian (1837–1901), Arts and Crafts (1880–1920), and Mid-Century Modern (1945–1970). Furniture with a maker's label, branded mark, or documented provenance commands significantly higher prices. Construction details also matter — hand-cut dovetail joints, secondary woods appropriate to the period, and original hardware all indicate age and authenticity. Reproduction furniture from the 1920s–1940s, while old, rarely achieves high values because it was mass-produced.

The current strongest categories at auction include American art pottery, Mid-Century Modern furniture and decorative objects, vintage jewelry with precious metal content, Asian art and decorative objects particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries, American folk art, signed works on paper, and vintage wristwatches from Swiss manufacturers. Markets shift constantly — what was slow five years ago may be strong today. This is another reason to evaluate before assuming something has little value.

Estate item evaluation begins with identification — determining what the item is, who made it, when, and where. This involves examining photos for construction details, marks, signatures, and stylistic clues. Once identified, the specialist researches comparable auction results, current dealer pricing, and collector market activity to establish a realistic value range. The evaluation reflects what the item would likely sell for at auction or through a dealer, not insurance or replacement value, which are typically higher.

If submitted items have no significant market value, you will receive an honest response explaining why — the item may be a reproduction, a common mass-produced piece, or simply not in current collector demand. Knowing an item has no significant market value lets you make informed decisions without ongoing uncertainty. This information is genuinely useful even when the answer is not what you hoped for.

The free evaluation is an expert assessment of likely auction or retail value, not a formal written appraisal for insurance, estate tax, or legal purposes. A formal appraisal requires an in-person examination by a credentialed appraiser and results in a signed document meeting IRS or insurance standards. If you need a formal appraisal for estate tax reporting, donation documentation, or insurance, we can refer you to a qualified appraiser after the initial evaluation identifies your items.

Here's exactly what happens when you submit.