PREVIEW MY ARTWORK
By providing a preview option, Dr. Yang wishes to make our Asian art consulting and appraisal services accessible and affordable to more people. Preview is structured to help art owners understand what they have and whether it is worth investing in a proper appraisal. Most Preview results consist of 4 or 5 sentences discussing what the object is, when or where it might have been produced, by whom, and whether it would be worth commissioning an appraisal or not. Please note (as explained below) that Preview is neither appraisal nor authentication.
With apologies: we are unable to respond to most calls and e-mails. We strive to be friendly, helpful, and generous, but we have our limits. Unfortunately, we can no longer attend to every inquiry without being compensated for our time. Every day, we are deluged with inquiries about authentication, identification, and valuation. Questions include: Can you tell me what I have? Is it authentic or valuable? Can you translate the writings or seals on my object? Where and how can I sell it? A quick response to these questions is not possible, since each artwork is unique. Even simple questions require preliminary research (or more) and involve weighing different approaches.
All preview requests will be handled by Dr. Wei Yang, a Ph.D. in Chinese art history and an Accredited Senior Appraiser in Asian art (ASA, 2010-2025) and Appraisal Review and Management (ARM, 2017-2025). In order to have more time for writing, Dr. Yang has decided to narrow down her art consulting and appraisal practice. Starting in September 2025, Dr. Yang only accepts interesting or challenging appraisal assignments, although she stays engaged as usual. As an independent Chinese art historian, art appraiser, review appraiser, Dr. Yang has been serving as Chinese art consultant and appraisal, review appraiser and expert witness (consulting and testifying) for litigation since 2005. She serves her clients with integrity, professional competence and objectivity.
Dr. Yang specializes in Asian Art, with a concentration on Chinese art. She previews Chinese art (painting and calligraphy, ceramics, Buddhist art, jade, antique furniture and textile and decorative arts) and some forms of Asian art (Japanese woodblock prints, literati painting, ceramics, and decorative arts; Korean fine art, ceramics and Buddhist arts from Tibet, Nepal, India, Thailand and Cambodia, etc.) No matter what you have or what you wish to accompolish, Dr. Yang will listen to your concerns, help you figure out your best option and help you make an informed decision based on facts. Dr. Yang gives equal attention to each preview inquiry in a timely manner, and offers reliable informaiton and practical solution to owners of the property under preview. She intends to help the owner achieve his or her goal at the minimum cost.
WHY PREVIEW?
-Practical and Cost-effective
Before committing to an appraisal, requesting a preview is practical and cost-effective. Before investing in an appraisal, information provided by a preview might be sufficient to make an informed decision.
Practical : Preview judges whether your property is suitable for appraisal or not, since not every property is worth your expenditure and a professional’s attention.
Cost-Effective: Preview is relatively inexpensive. The symbolic preview fee eliminates unnecessary costs for appraisal, provenance verification and market research.
Informative: Preview comments on the nature of your property in terms of identification, date of creation, craftsmanship and market potential, and whether a proper appraisal would be worth the further expense.
HOW TO ORDER PREVIEW
-Pay for Preview ($60/item), Identify Your Need and Send Photos
Step 1: Make preview payment ($60/item) to contact@weiyangart.com via PayPal, Zelle or mail a check payable to "Wei Yang" at 274 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Step 2: Submit 3 or 4 photos of the property (front, back, top, bottom for ceramics and decorative arts; a full view, a few close-ups of inscriptions or seals on a painting or calligraphy) via email attachment. Please do not include photos in the body of email because the large size of your photo file may block the communication and delay our reply.
Step 3: Provide basic information about the subject property: a) key physical features: medium and measurements; b) your needs: for sale, insurance, estate planning, taxation, etc.; c) provenance or a short history/chain of ownership; d) condition: good, fair, poor, describing damage, if any
The Preview fee will be credited to your final payment for appraisal if you proceed with an appraisal; if we are unable to provide a Preview, your fee will be refunded.
You will receive Preview Comments on one item within 3 business days (72 hours) except for requests made on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Multiple items take more time. If you don't hear from us after 7 business days, please Contact Us immediately.
-Dr. Yang's Preview Comments Include:
1) Identification and date of creation
2) A brief statement on market appreciation
3) Recommendations: no appraisal or for appraisal, depending on your needs.
PREVIEW IS NOT APPRAISAL
-Preliminary Preview
A Preview is NOT an Appraisal. Dr. Yang's preview comments represent her professional opinions on the suitability of your artwork for appraisal. A Preview does not provide a value conclusion for your property, although a range of prices fetched by comparables may be included as close value indicators. Assigning a specific value to an artwork (which is the goal of a proper appraisal) requires in-depth research, proper identification of value features possessed by a property, consideration of comparables, and use of other appraisal principles and methodologies.
A Preview does NOT meet the requirements for insurance and taxation documents . Information included in a Preview is not sufficient for insurance and taxation, which require a qualified appraisal by a qualified appraiser.
A Preview is NOT a certificate of authenticity. Normally, Dr. Yang refrains herself from commenting on the originality of an artwork, although sometimes it is not avoidable. Statements in a Preview CANNOT be considered as a certificate of authenticity.
ART AUTHENTICATION
-Certificate of Authenticity
Dr. Yang neither provides art authentication service nor issues any certificate of authenticity.
Dr. Yang provides you with quality professional Chinese art consultation and Asian art appraisal services at a cost you can afford. Because Dr. Yang believes that art owners shoud gain access to quality art consultation and appraisal services, and they deserve some professional compassion or generosity.
Need quality Asian art consultation and appraisal?
To be cost-effective, considering a Preview My Artwork is wise.
