UNDERSTAND APPRAISAL SERVICES
How do you know what kind of appraisal you need? Does your property merit full professional attention? As a matter of fact, not every piece of artwork can balance the appraisal fee you pay for an appraisal. Finding out if your investment is worthy, working with a qualified art professional with expertise, competence and a set of skills matching your needs is the key.
With a M.A. in Asian art, a Ph.D. in Chinese art and two designations of Accredited Senior Appraiser in Asian art (ASA, 2010-2025) & Appraisal Review and Management (ARM, 2017-2025), Dr. Yang serves her clients based on her academic training and professional appraisal experience. She has served as an independent Asian art appraiser, review appraiser, Chinese art expert (consulting & testifying) witness for litigation since 2005. As a lifelong Chinese art educator and writer, Dr. Yang brings integrity, professional competence in multiple fields, and impartiality to her work.
ART APPRAISER
-Competence, Objectivity and Credibility
The value of an appraisal rests on the qualifications or credentials of an art appraiser you are going to hire. You need a competent art expert to support your case if you are involved in dispute and litigation. An art appraiser is expected to perform valuation services competently and in a manner that is independent, impartial and objective. However, the Asian art field is currently filled with art appraisers of different backgrounds, level of expertise and competence. It is your responsibility to find a qualified art appraiser for your property. Beware of a few essential rules. First, professional art appraisers are prohibited from being involved in the sale (past, present, or near-future) of the objects they appraise. Second, appraisers are required to comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP, published by the Appraisal Foundation and updated biennially) and the code of ethics for appraisers. Third, appraisers certified by professional societies such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Appraisers Association of America (AAA) or International Society of Appraisers (ISA) are tested and accredited accordingly (Am or ASA). The reliability of an appraisal depends on the appraiser’s expertise and experience. General knowledge of the field is the base, specialized training and research skills are the tools to achieve professional excellence. For example, Chinese art appraisers must possess broad knowledge of Chinese art history, cultural traditions and customs, techniques and aesthetics as well as major Chinese scripts (standard, semicursive, cursive, clerical and seal carving). Beyond this rudimentary level, Chinese art experts bring knowledge based on a specific medium or genre, such as classical Chinese painting and calligraphy, Buddhist art, ceramics or jade, identified as specialty. You should see a red flag if somebody claims to be an expert on all forms of Chinese Art.
REVIEW APPRAISER
-Reliability of Appraisal
You need a review appraiser if you have doubts about the credibility, quality, or value conclusions of an appraisal that’s already completed. People requiring appraisal reviews range from collectors and inheritors to parties involved in tax questions, loan disputes, insurance issues, estate planning or litigation. Professional review appraisers are prohibited from being involved in the sale (past, present, or near-future) of the objects discussed in their reports. Written appraisal reviews typically focus on the quality of appraisal(s) prepared by other appraisers in terms of original appraiser’s qualifications, the appraisal methodology, and the reliability of value conclusions, based on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP, published by the Appraisal Foundation and updated biennially).
Wei Yang, Ph.D. in Chinese art, offers appraisal review of Chinese art and some forms of Asian art.
ART ADVISER
-Management of Art Collection
You need an art adviser if you desire expert guidance on building and managing an art collection over time or formulating strategy for the disposition of a collection. Art advisers often possess expert knowledge of a specific period, artistic school or genre that match your collecting focus, and they should have strong research skills in provenance, authenticity and marketability verifications. Most art advisers typically attend auctions and private viewings on your behalf to remain knowledgeable about current market trends and the performance of relevant artists.
Dr. Yang does NOT serve as art adviser for collectors.
WEI YANG, PH.D.
-Asian Art Appraiser & Review Appraiser
Dr. Wei Yang treasures professional honesty in providing art consultation and appraisal services. She has limited her services to some forms of Asian art, with a concentration on Chinese art. Although certain levels of consultation is unaoidable, Dr. Yang does not present herself as an Asian art specialist. Her doctoral training, working experience and research interest all point at art connoisseurship, art criticism, market and art economics and valuation. Her writing focuses on Chinese art, painting techniques, valuation criteria and authenticity issues.
Dr. Yang neither accepts consultation assignment on the management of an art collection nor offers advice on how to build up a quality collection.
Need quality Asian art consultation and appraisal?
Starting with a preview of your property for appraisal is cost-effective. Preview information is available at Preview My Artwork
