Anyone Know How To Get Sotheby's To Look At An Antique? (collection, painting)

[deeds]

I have an old tapestry (japenese/chinese) that i would like some information and dhave no idea where to start with it. I was wondering about Sothebys......any ideas would be helpful.

[ontheroad]

I've had jewelry appraised at Sotheby's. I made an appointment, and went in with the items. At that time, there was no charge, but I believe they do charge these days.

Another thing you might consider is sending a photograph w/particulars to one of the Antique magazines. Many have a column on appraisals that are very accurate and helpful to readers and owners alike.

Good luck!

[mytimenow]

Try contacting the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA). I bet they could find you someone to appraise it. Google them, they have a website.

[LM1]

Digital pictures and email.
Sothebys and Christies make their money auctioning entire collections or single examples of the absolute highest of the high-end stuff. Even stuff in the mid five figure price range can fail to garner their attention, in certain areas of specialty.

99% of the time, they will refer you to someone else who handles whatever you have. They're very well networked.

You can be rest assured that if what you have is something they're actually interested in, the digital pictures will be enough to pique their interest and they will proceed from there, usually asking for more pictures.

I read a book written by the Keno brothers (those twins who handle the furniture on Antiques Roadshow). Very, very interesting insight into how that world works. If you have a real "treasure" (an authentic 18c Newport Highboy), they'll be on a plane the next day. 99.9% of the time, though, they'll put you in touch with a smaller auction house, dealer or retailer.

I've been down this road once with a painting I had. I wound up consigning it with someone else and it did well, but it made me realize just how upper-tier those auction houses really are. They scoff at stuff ordinary people fawn over.