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Can an item still be appraised without history or provenance?
It is not necessary to be familiar with the history of ownership in order to appraise an object. Objects can be evaluated according to their own merits, typically on the basis of materials, craftsmanship, period, form, decoration, aesthetic qualities, rarity, condition, and desirability in the marketplace. The provenance of an object will enhance the value only if a prior owner was an important historical figure or celebrated personage, or if the object was part of a highly renowned collection. In either instance, the history of the object’s ownership must be firmly documented; otherwise, the claim of a distinguished provenance simply constitutes hearsay.
It is not necessary to be familiar with the history of ownership in order to appraise an object. Objects can be evaluated according to their own merits, typically on the basis of materials, craftsmanship, period, form, decoration, aesthetic qualities, rarity, condition, and desirability in the marketplace. The provenance of an object will enhance the value only if a prior owner was an important historical figure or celebrated personage, or if the object was part of a highly renowned collection. In either instance, the history of the object’s ownership must be firmly documented; otherwise, the claim of a distinguished provenance simply constitutes hearsay.
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