How To Know if Your Artwork Is Valuable

Many collectors of fine art expect that their artwork holds value higher than the price they originally paid. However, how do you know if you own valuable art or a mass-produced piece? Some of the questions you can ask to determine this include: 

• Who owned the piece previously? 
• What details make it valuable? 
• Who created it? 

In this short guide, you’ll learn how to tell if you own an expensive piece of art or something pretty but not worth much money. 

Trace the Piece’s Ownership 

Documenting a piece of art’s previous owners can help you determine the actual age of the piece and its originality. You might not always trace it back to the original purchase, but in many cases, you’ll at least create a timeline of who owned it and when. Besides showing the painting’s genealogy (what collectors call its “provenance”), you can make an educated guess about its authenticity. 

Name the Artist 

You won’t likely find a hidden Da Vinci painting in your attic, but many other valuable art pieces come from artists you haven’t heard of. Private collections tend to pass down over the generations, sometimes resulting in you owning the work of a true master regardless of fame. If you can find the artist’s name, research them and see whether their pieces have graced auction houses over the past few decades to get an idea of their value. 

Inspect the Piece’s Condition 

Some famous paintings have sustained damage over the years. While their popularity won’t necessarily diminish, cracks, chips, and rips can subtract from the price tags of valuable paintings. If you find damage on your art piece, you may still consider putting it up for auction, but tailor your expectations with the knowledge of the damage. 

Consider the Details 

The smallest details can change a valueless piece of art into an expensive painting. Use the following tips to determine the importance of precise details: 

• Inspect the painting for standout colors and themes. 
• Measure the painting’s size in relation to the size of a normal wall. 
• Consider the medium used to create the piece and what material forms the base.
• Take a look at the frame and determine when it was made and where it came from.
• Take the painting’s subject matter into consideration. Is it popular, bright, or beautiful? 

When in Doubt, Find It Out 

Many collectors end up with pieces they know nothing about. If you don’t have the passion or time to dig into its genealogy, history, or materials, bring your piece to a trusted auctioneer or appraiser for information on it. You can also do online research after receiving answers to help determine the piece’s value. 

Trust the Professionals at High Plains Auctioneers 

Whether you want to find valuable art or put it up for auction, High Plains Auctioneers in Dalhart, TX, can help. Call (806) 244-6776 to learn more about putting up your artwork for bid or purchasing new pieces at upcoming auctions.