Experience the Best of the Golden State at Assets 2018

Headed to Pasadena for Assets 2018? Here’s a list of cultural spots, entertainment, restaurants, and more to help you make the most of your trip.

While you’re in Pasadena, you’ll have a golden opportunity to explore the rich history, culture and art of California, as well as shop and dine in a beautiful city with great weather. Located just ten miles north of Downtown L.A., Pasadena is unquestionably the place to be this March.

Pasadena's iconic City Hall

Art and architecture

Known as a regional center of arts and architecture, Pasadena has been home to many well-known artists, including Guy Rose, Alson S. Clark, Marion Wachtel, and Ernest A. Batchelder of the Arts and Crafts Movement. You’ll be able to see examples of architecture from every era of California history in Pasadena as well, from historic estates to residential districts like “Bungalow Heaven,” named for its large number of craftsman-style houses.

Bungalow Heaven. Image credit: Eugene Lee

Aside from the places we’ll visit on our Fine Art and Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts specialty tours, the Huntington, Norton Simon Museum, and Gamble House, there are many other museums located in or near Pasadena that have outstanding collections of works from California and beyond.

Be sure to visit the Pasadena Museum of California Art, dedicated to exploring “the cultural dynamics and influences that are unique to California” through art and design. There will be two special exhibitions there during our conference in Pasadena. The first is Testament of the Spirit: Paintings by Eduardo Carrillo, whose artwork has been described as mystical, realistic, surreal, and visionary. The second is The Feminine Sublime, presenting the art of L.A.-based artists and their interpretation of the sublime in painting.

Virginia Katz, Land – Into the Abyss [detail], 2017

Close to Pasadena, you’ll find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, featuring 18th century Mexican paintings, 20th century design in California and Mexico, and more. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles represents the work of artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. In March, they’ll have a large exhibition from Nigerian-American artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby. And don’t miss The Broad Museum, where you’ll be able to see a retrospective of works by iconic American artist Jasper Johns. The J. Paul Getty Museum spans two campuses, one featuring a villa modeled after a first-century Roman country house.

Villa at the J. Paul Getty Museum

Shopping and entertainment

The historic town center, Old Town Pasadena, spans 21 blocks and has a wide variety of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment, including many restaurants, cafés, galleries, and comedy clubs. On the second Sunday of every month, you can attend the famous and long-running Rose Bowl Flea Market to browse new, used, and antique items from a variety of sellers.

View of Old Town Pasadena

Dining

Vertical Wine Bistro

Did you know that Pasadena has more eateries per capita than New York City? No matter what your taste or budget, you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for here. You’ll benefit from the proximity to California’s wine country and the beautiful farms around the state. For California-style comfort food, try the tucked-away Green Street Restaurant, or the seasonal selection at Vertical Wine Bistro.

If Italian food appeals to you, try Briganti in the Mission area. Of course, you can’t miss all the great Mexican food in the area, especially El Cholo Café with its California influence and green corn tamales, and El Metate. If you’re looking for something laid-back, Pasadena's classic Pie’n Burger has hamburgers, milkshakes and fruit pies.

There’s truly something for everyone in Pasadena, and we can’t wait to see you there for Assets this year!

For more information on Assets 2018 and to register, visit the Assets 2018 section of the ISA website.

The Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts Specialty Tour

Maureen Winer, ISA CAPP

While so many of you were making plans for the Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day, I was finalizing my travel plans to Pasadena, California, for March 9-12, where I will be joining my friends and colleagues for ISA’s annual Assets conference, which promises to be its own super event this year! If you haven’t already signed up, be sure to register today.

I'm looking forward to our sold-out Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts Specialty Tour, which has two phenomenal visits scheduled at the Huntington and the Gamble House, with both promising something for everyone.

The Huntington is a Beaux-Arts mansion which was built by Henry E. Huntington in the early 1900s and houses fine and decorative art collections, a library and research center, and botanical gardens. After a short introduction, we will split up into small groups, which will enable everyone to explore the collections with experienced and knowledgeable guides.

The Huntington

The galleries at the Huntington hold an exceptional collection of French furniture and decorative objects; American decorative arts and furniture from the Arts and Crafts Movement, including silver, ceramics, metal, needlework; and much more. The collection includes works by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, George Washington Maher, and the Roycrofters, Steuben glass, silver by Paul Revere and Allan Adler, and ceramics by Glen Lukens and many others.

Chair by Arthur Heygate
Mackmurdo, c. 1883

In addition to prints and photographs, the Huntington library houses over 7 million letters and manuscripts including those by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln; 430,000 rare books, and 275,000 reference books. You can spend days exploring the Huntington’s extensive gardens; so you may choose to extend your stay in Pasadena if you feel the need to see more than our morning tour offers.

ISA Fine Art and AF+DA tour members will join together for lunch at The Raymond, a Craftsman-style restaurant with 4-star Zagat rated cuisine. Thanks to fellow ISA appraiser Wendy Gerdau, ISA CAPP, we will have the exclusive use of the restaurant during our meal.

Not to be outdone by the morning’s tour, we spend our afternoon at the Gamble House, aka Doc Brown’s mansion from the movie Back to the Future. It is an outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture. Designed by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble (Procter & Gamble Company), they also designed the furnishings. AF+DA members will experience a “Behind the Velvet Ropes” tour; one and a half hours with experienced and passionate docents.

Dining Room at the Gamble House

The Gamble House sports three sections; the main hall features examples of their designs for furniture and decorative arts; the second section is a reassembled stairway from the 1905 Arthur A. Libby house; and the third part is a re-creation of the dining room of the Henry M. Robinson House, designed and built in Pasadena between 1905 and 1907. A quick note – wear comfortable shoes, no heels and no flash photography allowed.

The AF+DA Specialty tour is currently sold out. To be added to the wait list, please contact ISA Headquarters. For more information on the many other events happening at Assets, see what we have planned for social events and check out the full conference program.

- Maureen Winer, ISA CAPP, is chair of the Antiques, Furnishings, + Decorative Arts Committee and Vice President of PWP Appraisers - Parting with Possessions, Inc.

Assets 2018: Spotlight on Sunday’s Program

Kathi Jablonsky,
ISA CAPP

You can achieve gold at Assets 2018 by attending our expert-led educational sessions around the theme "The Gold Standard: Innovation and Valuation." Here’s an inside look at our planned programming for Sunday, March 11.

Beyond Readily Apparent Identity
9:00-10:00am

Sunday morning starts off with "Beyond Readily Apparent Identity" by ISA CAPPs and past presidents Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg and Todd Sigety. Their presentation will explore situations where identity disclaimers can be used or when deeper work is required.

Following this session, you'll enjoy your choice of break-outs through the afternoon. You'll have a hard time choosing between our fabulous speakers.

Break-Out I
10:10-11:20am

• Session A: Art - A Source of Liquidity. Learn about evaluating art and other personal property assets to be used as loan collateral. Presented by John Arena, US Trust.
• Session B: Discovering California Pottery. Explore colorful and delightful mid 20th-century pottery with Bill Stern, book author and California Design Museum Director.
• Session C: New Appraisers Guide to the Galaxy. Kirsten Smolensky, JD, ISA CAPP, and ISA’s Core Course instructor will touch upon many of the key areas of appraising. New appraisers will find practical advice on building their practice.

Moon and Half Dome
Ansel Adams

Break-Out II: Good, Better and Best
1:05-2:20pm

• Session A: Ansel Adams Photographs. Be enlightened about the preeminent 20th century photographer of the American landscape, and compare valuation characteristics for his iconic works. This session will be led by Brittany Moorefield, Director of Photography Sales at Ansel Adams Gallery.
• Session B: American Furniture and Silver. Brooke Sivo, Director of American Furniture & Decorative Arts at Bonham’s, will teach us to compare and rate examples of furniture and silver based on design and craftsmanship.

Break-Out III
2:25-3:40pm

• Session A: Stop, Look and Listen: Using Connoisseurship to Navigate the Contemporary Art Market. Holly Sherratt, Director of Modern and Contemporary Art for Heritage Auctions, will inform us about the Post-War and Contemporary sector, which has been dominating the fine art market.
• Session B: Stay Golden! Explore What Glitters in Costume Jewelry. Discover costume jewelry makers and the current market in this dazzling presentation by Rosalie "Rhinestone Rosie" Sayyah.



Rosalie "Rhinestone Rosie" Sayyah

• Session C. The Intersection of Appraising and Wealth Management: Working with High-Net Worth Clients, Their Collections and Their Insurance Carriers. This session will be presented by AIG Directors Danna Kay and Barbara Chamberlain and moderated by Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP. Find out why a collaborative approach is necessary to work with high-net worth clients.

Break-Out IV
4:00-5:00pm

• Session A: Eight Street Artists to Watch in 2018. Investigate the major players in the contemporary street art scene and their place in the art market. Led by Tim Luke, CAI, BAS, MPPA, ISA AM, President, TreasureQuest Group, Inc., and Executive Director, Contemporary and Street Art for Julien’s Auctions.
• Session B: American Innovations: Studio Glass. Bruce Orr, Owner of Jaremos and art glass consultant, will lead us on a journey from the launch of the American Studio Glass movement in the 1960s through the explosion of studio glass artists and the current market.

Liquid Assets: Wine Investment and Appreciation
5:00-6:00pm

Sunday’s educational programming will conclude with Liquid Assets, by Amanda Crawford, Director of Fine and Rare Wines for Heritage Auctions. Find out about wine investment and appreciation while tasting delectable California wines.

View the full conference program.

Read the first part of our deep dive into Assets 2018 programming, focused on Saturday's educational offerings.

If you haven’t already, register today to attend Assets 2018. It will be ISA’s first conference in the golden state, and you don’t want to miss it!

Kathi Jablonsky, ISA CAPP, is co-chair of the ISA Annual Conference Committee.

California, Here We Come!

I am delighted to invite you to my home state of California, March 9-12, for the International Society of Appraisers’ annual conference: Assets 2018 - The Gold Standard: Innovation & Valuation.

California’s mild climate and bountiful landscape are as appealing as the full slate of exceptional educational opportunities being offered. With in-depth and hands-on presentations, Assets 2018 is designed to both enrich and strengthen our professional appraisal practices.

K2 Intelligence’s Senior Manager, Jordan Arnold will share innovative technology and advancing new standards related to authenticity and provenance; Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Decorative Arts and Design Assistant Curator, Staci Steinberger will explore innovative California design from missions to Modernism; Heritage Auctions’ Director Holly Sherratt will discuss Post-War and Contemporary Fine Art trends; and Brooke Sivo, Bonham’s Director of American Furniture and Decorative Arts will provide an analysis of good, better and best examples in American furniture and silver.

Do not miss Ansel Adams Gallery Director of Photography Sales, Brittany Moorefield’s good, better and best discussion, Bruce Orr’s talk on studio glass, Tim Luke’s expertise on Street art and Rosalie Sayyah, aka Antique Roadshow’s Rhinestone Rosie’s guidance on costume jewelry. These are only a few among many other worthwhile presentations scheduled for conference.

Consider signing up early for a one-day Advanced Appraisal Methodology Course. This fresh and compelling new class is being prepared and presented by ISA’s Director of Education, Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP and ISA’s Core Course Instructor, Kirsten Smolensky, JD, ISA CAPP with focus on relevant personal property case studies. And while in California, you may also wish to enroll in ISA’s onsite 7-hour USPAP Class and/or our two-day onsite Requalification Course, both available immediately following conference.

Gardens at the Huntington Library

Customized tours include exploration of one of the world’s great cultural, research and educational centers, The Huntington Library, Collections and Botanical Gardens. Tour the Gamble House, an outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture with house and furnishings designed by architects Charles and Henry Green; or see the acclaimed exhibit: Taking Shape: Degas as Sculptor at the Norton Simon Museum, an institution known for its encompassing collections of 19th and 20th century art.

I know you will enjoy the quintessential California style and surroundings in Pasadena at the Westin, near stunning gardens, first-class art and historic architecture. Pasadena is within proximity of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Hollywood; and not too far from the beach communities of Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu. It is a perfect venue to network with fellow colleagues, friends both old and new, as well as industry experts.

Please take a moment to look at ISA’s comprehensive Assets 2018 program and to register early for savings.

Looking forward to seeing you in California. Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses!

-  Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP, Vice President of ISA

Collecting Information for Appraisal Reports

Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is a saying that we are all familiar with. It isn’t clear to cliché historians whether this phrase was coined in 1911 by newspaper editor Tess Flanders, earlier from a paraphrased comment by Napoleon Bonaparte or even earlier by Confucius. But, the statement rings true no matter who said it first.

In the Core Course, you are instructed to take clear photos and write descriptions that are thorough enough to enable the reader, who may not be familiar with art or antiques, to pick the item out in the room. Different objects require different levels of detail in their descriptions. For example, there is no need to write three sentences to describe assorted used pots and pans, nor is there a need to photograph each separately. However, you will likely need to take multiple photos of a piece of art. Make sure you are qualified to appraise the types of items you are tasked with valuing. If you are, you should be able to determine the detail needed to adequately describe the objects.

When you are on-site collecting information for your appraisal report, make sure you take the time to take the right number of good quality photos. Luckily, digital photography has made it affordable to take enough photos to insure you have gathered the information needed. I generally take 4 corner shots of each room, then methodically work my way around with group shots of less valuable items and singular shots of more important pieces. Practice working with your camera so you can adjust for different light levels, different finishes and small details such as silver marks. Learn to take photos of items under glass or with shiny surfaces. Carry solid dark and light cloths that can be used as a background for close photos. If you need more help with photographing objects, online tutorials can be a great resource and should be available for almost every type of camera.

No matter how much experience you have in the field you appraise in, there will be times when you aren’t sure about a piece. If you think you may be seeking help from someone else, you should take lots of photos from different angles and capture details such as marks, signatures or other characteristics that can be used for dating and identification. Be aware of what those characteristics are for each type of property you are inspecting. Did you know the number of toes on a dragon can be important? Did you know that some flaws show up in a photo taken with a flash that you might not be able to see in lower light? Your photos can give hints to an expert that you might not even have the words to express. ISA's Fine Arts and Antiques, Furnishings and Decorative Arts specialty courses include photography and description writing tips for that purpose.

Ceramic pieces may include markings that
will help you or another expert identify the piece.

Since condition is important to determining value, make sure you know how to properly photograph and explain condition issues or terms for types of damage. You might say that a finish is bleached from light exposure, silver is scratched from improper cleaning or that a print has suffered from exposure to moisture. Take clear photographs of the damage showing the extent of the damage and the overall condition of the piece. A scratch on a piece of art glass may not affect value if there are also large chips in the rim.

Speaking of words, in addition to informational photos, remember that you must use terms that make sense to your reader to describe the object. If your client is a knowledgeable collector, then pull out the ten-dollar words that you both know. If your client is an attorney who may know the law but not technical fine or decorative art terminology then use words they can relate to. Or, if it is necessary to use technical terms, include precise definitions in a glossary in the report addendum. Avoid using flowery, subjective language in appraisal writing. You shouldn’t describe something as beautiful, tasteless, tacky or glorious (yes, I’ve truly read those in appraisals before). Be careful using terms such as rare or one-of-a-kind unless you are sure that the industry considers that to be true. For information on important terminology in modern design, see our recent blog post by Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP.

Here is a new saying for you: “A picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand words can’t replace a good photograph.”

- Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP

Design Patent in a Nutshell

Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP

When working with 20th-century design items, it's important to know how design patents and trademarks work and to use the correct terminology when describing these items.

Designers hold a bundle of rights to their designs, including intellectual property rights and the right to sell. Typically, production licenses are sold to large manufacturers, though the designer will still be able to control who produces the item and at what cost. Designers also hold trademark rights to their designs, which typically are renewable every ten years for an indefinite period of time. Most collectors of original modern design honor the creative process and want to own a quality item in its true form - these items are known as the "antiques of tomorrow."

When researching or reading a description for a 20th-century design item, you may encounter various terms categorizing the item. This article seeks to provide a quick reference guide for the meaning of these terms. When comparing items you also need to ascertain that you are comparing correct "vintage" or design type.

Original Issue

A design item that was manufactured during the initial period of production in the first conceived state.

Later Issue

An original design by the original manufacturer or currently licensed manufacturer, with minor modifications.

Example: The Eames molded chair has undergone some alterations over the years: the removal of rope edge, the curve of the back has become more inclined, upholstery is now glued to plastic shell. Also, since people are generally larger than they were in the 1950s, the Eames Lounge Chair is now available in the “big & tall” version, which is two and a half inches taller overall with an added seat depth of 1.75 inches. It's important to capture these design details to determine whether you are appraising an original issue item or one manufactured after a certain date.

Reissue

An item issued after the original production period, typically for a specific reason or period of time. There are a few different categories of reissues:

• Special edition: A reissue by a specific authorized entity of a design when the original edition is not longer in production or when there has been a slight change to the design or manufacturing process, for example, in the color of materials used. Special editions are usually marked in a way that denotes the reissue, depending on the manufacturer. They are known in the market as a unique entity, and hold value as a reissue or special edition.
  
  Example: The Isamu Noguchi Cyclone Rocking Stool produced by Vitra Design Museum, ca. 2001. In the original conceived form, very few of these items were produced. The design was subsequently altered to make a small table with a circular vs. rocking base point.





• Retired design: A design that was previously retired, but is now being produced and issued again.
• Emerge from retirement: A return to an original trait of an original design, now a reissue, or to be more technically correct, a later issue.
  
  Example: The Eames molded chair stopped production due to hazardous materials (fiberglass straws) and disposal issues in the late 1980s. The chair has recently been reintroduced, due to improved manufacturing and material safety. In between, Modernica as well as others produced unauthorized replicas or knockoffs.

Knock-off

An item that apperas, especially at first glance, to be the original item. Retail cost is often substantially less due to cheaper materials, cutting corners in construction, and design variations. Due to differences in construction from the original, knock-offs typically do not violate design patents.

Reproduction

In the general world of furniture and decorative arts, a reproduction is an exact duplicate executed with the intent to deceive. Sometimes, the term is more loosely defined to fit the user’s purpose. Sometimes used interchangeably with "copy" or "replica."

Replica

The same concept as a reproduction minus the intent to deceive. However, retailers may use the terms "replica" and "reproduction" more loosely or interchangeably. A good replica is made with the same instructions, material, and care as the original. Also known as a "copy."

Style of

Denotes an item that is made or appears to be like the work of a specific maker or designer. It can also apply when the item produced is close to a stylistic period or region. In 20th-century design, some replicas will be denoted as “Style of Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair.”

Manner of

An item that appears similar to a specific designer or school of designers, that reminds the viewer of that designer or school.

Tribute

An item that is made or manufactured in honor of a designer or design. For instance, Knoll issued an 18k gold plated Bertoia Diamond Chair (ca. 1952) to honor the designer’s 100th birthday in 2015. The chair was developed in conjunction with the 50th (golden) anniversary of the Platner Collection. Tribute pieces are generally only available for a limited time. See also: Special edition.

- Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP

The Top 7 Reasons to Take a Course on Chinese Decorative Arts

Susan Lahey, MA, ISA AM

This summer, I have the pleasure of teaching a course for ISA on Chinese decorative arts from the ancient to the contemporary.

The course takes place June 21-23 in Sarasota, Florida, with a field trip day scheduled at the beginning of the course followed by two in-classroom days. The course will help appraisers become familiar with a wide range of Chinese decorative arts, including jades, bronzes, snuff bottles, cloisonné, ivories, textiles, lacquerware, and ceramics. Context and history are key elements of the course, as we will discuss how Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism shaped the aesthetics of Chinese art, how the decorative arts evolved through dynastic and Imperial Chinese history, and what the current art market looks like and how to identify fakes. 

If you haven’t registered for the course yet, sign up on the ISA website!

A decorative jade vessel

On the course’s field trip day, participants will take a special tour of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, as there are two special exhibitions visiting there in June. The first is Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcasing nearly 100 Chinese bronze objects used to conduct religious rituals, record significant events, and represent elite status from the Shan through Han dynasties (1600 BCE to 220 CE). We will also visit the exhibition Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, an outdoor collection of 12 bronze sculptures by one of the most renowned Chinese sculptors and installation artists, Ai Weiwei. 

Ai Weiwei's Zodiac Heads

In addition to these two special exhibitions, we will also visit the newly-opened Center for Asian Art at the Ringling, which permanently houses more than 2,000 examples of Chinese ceramics and traces the history of Asian art and culture from the Mediterranean and Eurasia to the New World through the Silk Road and trade development. Objects in this collection emphasize the dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary in Chinese art, such as a 19th century limestone scholar’s rock flanked opposite Zhan Wang’s 21st century stainless-steel Artificial Rock #124.  

Dragon detail from porcelain object

Don’t miss your opportunity to take a tour of outstanding collections of art and develop a strong knowledge base around Chinese decorative arts. 

With that, I present to you:

The Top 7 Reasons to Take a Course on Chinese Decorative Arts

1. Have the opportunity to handle bronzes, jades, textiles, ceramics, cloisonné and more examples of Chinese decorative arts
2. Learn strategies for identifying fakes
3. Understand how Chinese art and philosophy impacted Western art
4. Enhance your appraisal and research skills through learning about resources, dealers and the current market and collecting trends
5. Learn about manufacture techniques for good, better, best distinctions in all media
6. Broaden your horizons. As they say, “Every generalist appraiser should also develop a specialty.”
7. Connect with appraisal colleagues while in sunny Florida!

What are you waiting for? Sign up for the course today!

Scholarships for ISA’s education courses are available through the Foundation for Appraisal Education, with applications due May 1. There is also a $200 discount available for those who register for both the Chinese Decorative Arts course and the Appraisal of Japanese Prints course in Sarasota this summer. Contact ISA headquarters at 312.981.6778 to receive this discount or for more information.

- Susan Lahey, MA, ISA AM

How to Build Your Foundation at Assets 2017

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

This year, our theme for Assets is “The Architecture of Appraising: Building on a Solid Foundation.” We chose this theme because any successful career in appraising starts with a strong base of knowledge.

With that in mind, we have designed our Assets 2017 program to give you the essential basics you need for your business as well as an in-depth look at crucial topics.

I've highlighted some of our planned programming below, but be sure to visit our mobile-friendly site to view full session descriptions and speaker bios. And if you haven't yet registered, do so now! Trust me; you don't want to miss it.

Saturday Programming Highlights

On Saturday, April 1, our program will focus on current trends in the appraisal business, including how technology has vastly increased opportunities for buying and selling works. In the morning, Evan Beard of the US Trust (and formerly a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer) will give an overarching perspective on how millennials, Gen-Xers, baby boomers and millionaires are affecting global markets. Later in the day, Pip Deely of the art startup CollectorIQ will speak on the latest in apps, databases and imaging tools that can enhance the appraisal process and keep you up-to-date in your business.

The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, home of Assets 2017

Part of understanding current trends in appraising is building a career while dealing with the challenges of the current art ecosystem and beyond. On Saturday, a panel of experts from Chubb Personal Risk Services, the Estate Planning Law Group and the Art Institute of Chicago will dive deeper into receiving referrals from and building relationships with gatekeepers from the insurance, estate and museum industries.

With Joshua Kaufman, ESQ, an expert on art law, we will discuss fakes, forgeries and when to connect with a lawyer on issues of provenance and authenticity.

Sunday Programming Highlights

As we progress to Sunday’s educational programming, we will focus on building skills like appraising an archive, which ISA’s own Leila Dunbar will guide us through in the morning. She’ll note the types of organization, methodology and valuation needed for such a project, as well as how to work with archivists, curators, and collectors.

For an invaluable exploration of the basics of the appraisal business, Sanjay Kapoor of ISA will moderate a panel of ISA CAPPs, Perri Guthrie, Judith Martin and Diane Marvin, who will answer your how-to questions as well as share their experiences and best practices.

ISA member panel (clockwise from left):
Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP, Judith Martin, ISA CAPP,
moderator Sanjay Kapoor, and Diane Marvin, ISA CAPP

Sunday will conclude with a number of breakout sessions exploring topics related to Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts, Fine Art and appraising in general even further.

In the Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts category, Alexander Eblen of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will discuss authenticity issues in jewelry and timepieces, and Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP, and Jacqueline Snyder, ISA AM, will dive into a lecture on finding comparable items when the item you are appraising is unique, has no market, or the artist is unknown.

Those interested in Fine Art can hear Professor Henry Adams speak on art forgery, and Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP, and Lisa Lowy, ISA AM, will give a similar comparables lecture to the Fine Art crowd.

View our full session descriptions and speaker bios.

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

A Real 'Name'-Changer

by Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP, Chair of Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts (AFDA)

Say goodbye to "ARC" and hello to "AFDA!"

I am thrilled to announce that the ISA Board has approved the Antiques & Residential Contents (ARC) Committee’s recommendation to change the name of the ARC division to Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts, otherwise referred to by its acronym AFDA.

Why the change? For years, I have believed that ARC did not properly reflect my appraisal business, nor that of most of my fellow appraisers. Sure, it is primarily an internal name and the general public is not aware of the title. Still, we are. So why does this matter? The answer is, we should be represented by a name that is consistent with our desired image; it should state our expertise and should last the test of time. The name should also represent the majority of our members.

The (former ARC) committee members agreed unanimously that a name change was necessary; therefore, we embarked on a mission to find the right name. Through much discussion and debate, and with welcome input from Libby Holloway, we chose Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts. It should be noted that we had an extensive discussion regarding our Gems and Jewelry appraisers; although they remain a part of the AFDA division, we recognize that we need to help them reestablish their own voice over the coming years. The Annual Conference Committee has made sure that there will be plenty of relevant presentations and breakouts to please our Gems and Jewelry appraising members at the upcoming Assets 2017 in Chicago, March 31 – April 3.

Many thanks to our committee members—Bridget Donnelly, Kurt Soucek, Mary Alice Manella, Rudy Pena, Sanjay Kapoor, Lisa Duke and Catherine Sanky. If you would like to become a part of our committee, please contact me at maureen@pwpusa.com.