Ask an Instructor: Office Hours and Appraising Experience

ISA members are invited to send in their questions on all things appraising and education to ISA's instructors. One of ISA's instructors will share answers on the ISA Now Blog. Please send questions to directorofeducation@isa-appraisers.org.


Question: When is the next Office Hours webinar?

Answer: The next Office Hours with the Director of Education will be held on December 5th at 2pm CST. It’s a free webinar open to all ISA members for a lively question and answer session on the topics of your choice. Mark your calendar now!

Question: I’m having a little bit of trouble obtaining my 700 USPAP-compliant hours to reach the ISA Accredited Member (AM) level. Any suggestions for ways to gain more appraisal-specific experience hours?

Answer: Yes! I can certainly help. There are lots of ways for you to gain qualified hours. Remember that the hours must be towards the development and report of a USPAP-compliant appraisal. Thus, the hours can be your actual time spent performing the appraisal, both billable hours and non-billable (gratis) hours. Contact me today at directorofeducation@isa-appraisers.org to discuss a plan of action that would work best for you

- Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP
Director of Education

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

See What's Hot in Design in Dallas This July!

Marcus Wardell, ISA AM

Come to Dallas for the three-day Modernism: Design, Furniture and Decorative Arts course, July 26-28! Classroom time includes lectures, discussions, films, PowerPoint presentations, resource guides, and the opportunity to connect with old friends, new friends and appraisal colleagues.

Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti Valentine typewriter, 1969

This exciting course for appraisers will cover the history of modern design from the 1851 Crystal Palace Great Exhibition to the present day. It will provide an analysis of key designers and manufacturers of furniture and decorative arts during the Modernist period, with an emphasis on fair market values and replacement values. Socioeconomic and political factors, including World War II, the Cold War, and Sputnik I, will be discussed, as well as material technology and mass production manufacturing advances that have driven design trends and markets.

Eames plywood elephant child’s chair, 1945

In 2016, the European Fine Art Fair Report reported that the market for design items is surging at auction in the United States and Europe, with sales of $343.6 million last year.

There's been an explosion of design in the past 150 years, and this course will help you appraise all of it. Just think: An item designed in 1917 is now 100 years old and could be considered an antique!

Rendering of the
Red and Blue Chair by Rietveld

What else happened 100 years ago in 1917? Many crucial moments marking the beginning of the modern era and ushering in new and highly influential design and art trends, including:

1. The Russian Bolshevik Revolution
2. Architect and modern furniture designer Florence Knoll was born
3. Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass was born
4. Furniture designer Paul McCobb was born
5. De Stijl was founded
6. Gerrit Rietveld designed the groundbreaking Red and Blue Chair
7. Marcel Duchamp created his piece Fountain
8. Converse introduced the Converse All Star non-skid sneaker
9. Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen (the Red Baron) started flying the Fokker Dr.I triplane
10. Dallas Love Field airport was opened

Finally, in 2019, the Bauhaus will celebrate its 100 year anniversary since opening in Weimar, Germany. See how an understanding of the material culture of the past century can strengthen your appraising practice in Dallas this summer - register here!

- Marcus Wardell, ISA AM

Why Take a Course on Japanese Prints?

Daphne L. Rosenzweig, ISA CAPP 

It’s not too late to join my two-day seminar, “The Appraisal of Japanese Prints” to be held in Sarasota, Florida, June 19-20, 2017. The course introduces the important cultural, historical, stylistic, technical and valuation factors that affect the appraisal of 17th to 21st century Japanese prints. As an author of numerous publications, frequent lecturer, museum consultant, and organizer of traveling exhibitions, my work in the field of Asian art has allowed me to build a wealth of knowledge around appraising Japanese prints that I am looking forward to sharing with all my students.

It's common for appraisers to come across Japanese prints during the course of a general appraisal of household contents, an estate division, insurance scheduling or intended donation. After taking my course, students will be well-equipped to offer their professional opinion on these items as necessary.

During our in-classroom days on June 19 and 20, we'll examine important provenances, influential designers and designs, formats, structures, major narratives, and condition factors, always with an eye as to how these factors affect the value of an individual print. Both new and experienced appraisers will find a perfect combination of connoisseurship and practical market experience in this engaging seminar.

Some of the questions this course will answer include:

• How can you differentiate heroes from villains, men from women? 
• How has the West influenced Japanese prints, and what has the West learned from those prints? 
• Who are the most important artists?
• How do you detect and what do you do about reproductions?

Don’t forget there will be an additional field trip day on June 21, where I will be leading a tour of the fabulous collection of traditional and modern Japanese woodblock prints at The Ringling Museum of Art.

For a preview of what we'll learn in this seminar, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, has wonderful video documentation on the making of a Japanese print. You can view each section at your own speed. I'm looking forward to seeing you in June!

- Daphne L. Rosenzweig, ISA CAPP

What Is USPAP and Why Is It Important to Hire a USPAP-Compliant Appraiser?

By Sarah Reeder, ISA AM

If you need a precious item of yours appraised – perhaps a painting, your grandmother’s ring, or an antique piece of furniture – you want to make sure you hire the best person for the job.

The International Society of Appraisers is committed to offering education and training to personal property appraisers so that they, in turn, can deliver the very best in quality appraisals to their clients. An essential part of this education and training is USPAP, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, of which all ISA members must be in compliance as part of their membership requirements.

This blog post will help you understand a bit more about what is required to be a USPAP-compliant appraiser and why it’s so important to choose one.

So What Is USPAP?

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is the official guidance document published by the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) of The Appraisal Foundation (TAF). USPAP was adopted by the United States Congress in 1989 following the problems caused by the savings and loan crisis and defines a set of recommended procedures and ethical standards for appraisers. The document is revised and reissued every two years and the current edition is for 2016-2017. The current document is 395 pages long, covering an extensive framework of standards for appraisers to follow. Standards 7 (Personal Property Appraisal, Development) and 8 (Personal Property Appraisal, Reporting) are the two that directly address personal property appraising.

USPAP also contains a number of important Rules governing the professional behavior of appraisers separate from the Standards, including the Ethics Rule, Record Keeping Rule, Competency Rule, and Scope of Work Rule.

USPAP states, "The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) of The Appraisal Foundation develops, interprets, and amends the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) on behalf of appraisers and users of appraisal services."

What Does "USPAP-Compliant" Mean?

Appraisers who state they are USPAP-compliant have pledged to follow the regulations outlined in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice in their appraisal reports.

There is a 15-hour course with a written examination based on the material in the USPAP guidance document that appraisers must take and pass in order to state that they are current with USPAP. After passing the initial examination, appraisers must take a 7-hour update course every two years to remain current, or they will have to take the 15-hour course and examination again.

According to U.S. law, USPAP compliance is required for real estate appraisers, those who evaluate buildings and homes, but is only voluntary for personal property appraisers, who evaluate items such as antiques and fine arts within a house. However, all members of the International Society of Appraisers must be USPAP-compliant as part of their membership requirements.

Why is It Important to Hire a USPAP-Compliant Appraiser?

It's critical to hire a USPAP-compliant appraiser because USPAP protects the interests of the client.

One of the key features of USPAP is that the appraiser is not allowed to charge an appraisal fee that is based on the appraised value of the items included within the appraisal report. It’s easy now to see how this could lead to situations where an appraised value could be inflated to increase the appraisal fee, but historically this practice did occur.

To ensure your appraisal is done ethically and professionally, USPAP Rules require that appraisers, among other things:

• Include a signed certification of non-bias and impartiality in their appraisal report
• Prepare a detailed workfile to document the specifics of the appraisal
• Meet competency requirements

If you’d like to view the detailed guidelines, you’ll find them here:

• Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, Standard 8-3, page 59 of current edition
• USPAP Record Keeping Rule, page 11 of current edition
• USPAP Competency Rule, page 12 of current edition

Finding a Qualified Appraiser

In conclusion, individuals seeking an appraisal of their personal property should always look for an appraiser who is USPAP-compliant. While voluntary, USPAP compliance is a mark of professionalism and ethical standards and serves to protect users of appraisal services.

To find a qualified appraiser in your area, use our Find an ISA Member tool, where you can search by zip code, specialty item, and more.

About the Author:
Sarah Reeder, ISA AM, is the owner of Artifactual History® Appraisal and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Appraisal Education (FAE). She is a generalist appraiser of antiques and art and specialist of Mid-Century Modern and 20th Century Design.

This blog post is part of a series that covers many of the topics and questions a new client might have and serves both as part of the ISA Means Business! Toolbox. You can email the link to this post or print out the information for a client asking about USPAP or for future clients beginning the research process of hiring an appraiser. This series was born out of the realization that it can be very difficult for those outside the appraisal world to obtain detailed, reliable information about appraising, and we hope that this post and the other posts in this series will help educate users of appraisal services so they are knowledgeable, empowered consumers who recognize the importance of hiring professional, USPAP-compliant appraisers.

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

The Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts Specialty Tour at Assets

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

For those who appraise antiques, furnishings, decorative arts and jewelry, we have an extraordinary lineup of tours, lectures and breakout sessions scheduled for you at Assets 2017.

If you haven't yet, register now so you don't miss the opportunity to learn more about your areas of interest and connect with other appraisers with similar interests.

One of the most exciting events we have planned is the Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts Specialty Tour, taking place all day on Friday, March 31. As with the Fine Arts Tour, attendees will have the opportunity to visit sites throughout Chicago and hear educational talks from experts while seeing beautiful works of art and decorative objects up close.

The first stop of the morning will be Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, one of the most prominent auction houses in the nation. There, tour attendees will attend two of three breakout sessions in Furnishings and Decorative Arts, Jewelry and Couture. Leslie Hindman’s experienced experts will give lectures on luxury accessories and clothing, and touch on current trends in furniture, decorative arts, modern design and Asian works of art.

An Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Bureau Plat
sold by Leslie Hindman (source)

Next, we will enjoy a box lunch at the Art Institute of Chicago before taking the afternoon to explore its extraordinary collections, some of the largest in the world. We’ll spend the first hour of the afternoon exploring the collection of European decorative arts at the Art Institute. The Art Institute isn’t home to only fine art – it boasts an extensive collection of Continental glass and English, French and German ceramics, silver and enamels.

Elephant Candelabrum Vase (1757-8) from the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory
at the Art Institute (source)

The afternoon will feature a special lecture designed for ISA by Dr. Alexis R. Culotta, PhD on the idea of provenance. Dr. Culotta will use examples from the museum’s collections to discuss how provenance research on antiques, furnishings and decorative arts can affect the value of those items. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because after the lecture, we will have time to explore the museum’s collections on our own.

Rosewater Ewer and Basin (c. 1596)
by Franz Dotte, Nuremberg, Germany (source)

I can’t wait to see everyone on this tour as we experience some of the best educational opportunities the city of Chicago has to offer!

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP