The art market is complex and constantly changing. Values can be influenced by an artist's market position, provenance, exhibition history, condition, rarity, subject matter, medium, size, comparable sales and current market demand.

A professional art valuation requires more than identifying an artist and looking at recent auction results. An experienced valuer considers the individual characteristics of the work and researches relevant market evidence to arrive at an appropriate and defensible opinion of value. A professional valuation provides an informed, independent and evidence-based assessment of value for a specific purpose and at a particular date. Whether you are insuring a collection, settling an estate, dividing assets, considering a sale or requiring a valuation for legal or financial purposes, it is important that your artwork is valued on the appropriate basis and by an experienced art valuer with a thorough understanding of the art market.

Francesca is a Certified Valuer with the Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia (CVAu) and has more than 20 years' experience in the Australian and international art market. Her specialist knowledge encompasses Australian art ranging from paintings, photography, works on paper and sculpture and includes Indigenous art and artefacts.

Her valuation practice combines detailed research, market knowledge and professional judgement to provide clear and considered art valuation reports tailored to the purpose for which they are required.

An artwork’s financial value can have important implications for insurance, estate planning, probate, family settlements, taxation, superannuation, financial reporting and sale.

An accurate and appropriately prepared valuation can:

• establish an informed value for an individual artwork or collection

• ensure artwork is adequately insured

• assist executors and beneficiaries in the administration and division of an estate

• provide an independent basis for family or asset division

• assist with financial and asset reporting requirements

• establish an appropriate value when considering the sale of an artwork

• provide supporting documentation for legal, financial or taxation purposes

• create a useful record of a collection, including descriptions, dimensions, provenance and photographic documentation

The purpose of the valuation determines the appropriate basis of value. Choosing the right type of valuation is therefore just as important as choosing the right valuer.

Different circumstances require different types of art valuations. Francesca can advise on the most appropriate valuation for your particular requirements.

Insurance Valuations

An insurance valuation establishes an appropriate replacement value for an artwork or collection. It is used when arranging or reviewing insurance and provides important documentation in the event of loss, theft or damage.

Market Valuations

A market valuation provides an informed assessment of what an artwork could reasonably be expected to achieve in the relevant market at a specified date.

Market valuations may be required when assessing the current value of an artwork or collection, reviewing an investment portfolio, considering a potential sale or establishing the value of assets for estate or financial purposes.

Sale & Pre-Sale Valuations

If you are considering selling an artwork, a sale valuation or market appraisal can help establish realistic expectations about its value and the most appropriate method of sale.

Francesca's extensive knowledge of the Australian and international secondary art market enables her to advise on whether a work is best suited to auction, private sale or another sales channel.

Where appropriate, valuation advice can be combined with broader art advisory services to identify the most suitable market and strategy for achieving the best possible result.

It is important to distinguish a formal valuation from an auction estimate. An auction estimate is generally an indication of the price a work may achieve at auction, whereas a formal valuation is prepared for a defined purpose and on a specified basis of value.

Probate & Deceased Estate Valuations

A probate valuation establishes the value of artworks as part of the administration of a deceased estate.

Executors may require an independent valuation to establish the value of art and other collection assets at a particular date, assist with estate administration and facilitate the equitable distribution of assets between beneficiaries.

Family Law & Asset Division Valuations

An art valuation for family law provides an independent assessment of artworks where they form part of assets being divided following separation, divorce or relationship settlement and can help support an equitable division of assets.

Superannuation & SMSF Valuations

Artworks and collectables held within a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) usually require regular, independent valuations for reporting and compliance purposes.

Financial Reporting Valuations

Businesses, corporations, trusts and other organisations may require art valuations for financial reporting and asset management.

A valuation will establish the value of artworks and collections recorded as assets and can form part of a broader art collection inventory or asset register.

Expert and Legal Valuations

In some circumstances, an independent art valuation may be required to support legal proceedings, disputes, litigation or other formal matters.

Where appropriate, Francesca can work with solicitors, accountants, trustees and other professional advisers to provide valuation reports suited to the requirements of the matter.