Personal Property
Personal Property appraisers perform appraisals of tangible, movable property that is utilitarian, collectible, decorative or a combination of the three. Personal property includes antique art objects, native art (e.g., American, Asian, African, New Guinea), ceramics, Civil War memorabilia, collectibles, drawings, engravings, furniture, glass, household contents, lithographs, fine art, paintings, photography, prints, sculpture, silver, textiles, vintage posters, and watercolors.
Personal Property appraisers render USPAP-compliant appraisals for insurance, estate tax, damage claims, charitable donation, sale, dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, bankruptcy, and other purposes.
Most Personal Property appraisers are accredited in one (or more) of three primary specialties.
Antiques and Decorative Arts
Antiques are properties at least 100 years old which are valuable for reasons of age, craftsmanship, artistic merit and/or historical significance. Decorative arts are crafted properties whose value derives from design, function and aesthetic merit.
Fine Arts
Include artistic and aesthetic objects created normally without function and/or utility, such as wall art and statuary.
Residential and General Contents
Includes basic utilitarian properties, often depreciating with use, including furnishings, decorative accessories, appliances and useful properties found in homes and the workplace.
Like other ASA-accredited appraisers, Personal Property appraisers will identify and value the objects they are qualified to appraise, and refer to or consult other specialists as required. Although some may be qualified by special education or experience, most Personal Property appraisers do not authenticate the objects they appraise.
In addition to the three primary specialties, Personal Property appraisers may be qualified in one or more of the following: American folk art, American Indian arts, African sculpture, antique and collectible glass, antique firearms, armor and militaria, antique furniture, Asian art, audiovisual media recordings, automotive specialties, books and manuscripts, fine arts photography, Native American art, numismatics, Oriental rugs, pre-Columbian art, silver and metalware, or violins.