Valuation and Appraisal of Aboriginal Art Works

Valuation and appraisal of Aboriginal art works is a skilled and specialised activity. We receive many inquiries about the value of particular Aboriginal paintings and the way that owners might sell these works. While we will try to answer general inquiries about Aboriginal art, and about specific artists, we do not give valuations or appraisals of paintings. Appraisals and valuations are formal documents used for tax, insurance, charitable contribution, financial planning and other purposes.

We also receive inquiries about investment in Aboriginal art - see our page on Aboriginal Art Investment.

Aboriginal Art Online specialises in selling contemporary works obtained by working directly with Aboriginal communities and artists and a limited number of art galleries. We do not buy paintings on the secondary market or from other sources (such as the owners of individual paintings). While this is a completely sound and ethical practice, it is not at the moment part of our business. We prefer to work with Aboriginal communities and artists to ensure that they receive a good return for their work - and so that our clients are able to select from a wide range of work at competitive prices.

Several auction houses offer a free auction appraisal service for art works. Four of the auction houses that hold auctions of Aboriginal art and that have relevant in-house specialists are:

Bonhams and Goodman

The auction company Bonhams and Goodman was formed by the merger of Goodmans Auctioneers and Bonhams. They are the largest Australian-owned internationally-operated auction house and have global connections with Bonhams of London and Bonhams & Butterfields in the USA. The company has representatives in Adelaide, Queensland, Western Australia and New York, as well as the main office in Sydney.

The Sydney-based Aboriginal Art Department (with Anne Phillips as director) can advise on current auction estimates for works on canvas, board, bark and artefacts, either for individual items or large collections. In many cases indications of auction estimates can be made from photographs sent by post or email, subject to actually seeing the work.

In addition to sales of Aboriginal art (held four times per year as part of their Australian, International and Aboriginal Art Sales), Bonhams & Goodman also offer a full range of services, from obligation-free appraisals to more formal probate and insurance valuations.

Leonard Joel Art Auctions

Leonard Joel is the largest Australian owned and operated auction house. The company are approved valuers to the Australian Government and specialise in both market valuation (an estimate of the sale price at auction, usually obtained by potential sellers) and insurance valuations (the value placed on items for the purposes of replacement). Joels offers oral market valuations at their rooms and these are free of charge. Alternatively, their valuers can provide an onsite valuation for a fee. A fee is also charged for written reports.

In 2006 Crispin Gutteridge, former specialist with Sotheby’s Aboriginal art division, was appointed as the specialist for Aboriginal art. Michael Fox is the Queensland representative for Aboriginal and other art.

Lawson-Menzies

Lawson-Menzies are an Australian auction house that provides a full range of valuation services. The most common types of valuations that people request are for insurance and auction purposes. In addition to these, the company is able to provide formal valuations for probate, capital gains tax, asset management and other purposes.

They offer a free assessment of potential auction values for various items, including Aboriginal art. For an assessment by one of their specialists, you may bring your items, or photographs of them, into their rooms in Sydney. An appointment is advisable. You can also contact their representatives in various parts of Australia, or seek an eValuation as an online service.

Until recently, Lawson-Menzies hold two auctions of Aboriginal art each year but sales of Aboriginal art are now included within their auctions of Australian art. One interesting innovation by them is their contribution to the Aboriginal Benefits Fund of 2% of the hammer price of all Aboriginal art sales made by the auction house. The Foundation makes grants to support projects in indigenous health, education and community development.

Sotheby's

Sotheby's is one of the world's leading art auction houses and they have established a strong reputation in the sale of Aboriginal art. Sotheby's offers auction estimates on Aboriginal art, provided that the items do not fall below their minimum consignment values. An auction estimate is a range of prices (e.g. $1,500-2,000) that Sotheby's specialists believe a piece might bring at auction. Auction estimates are subject to change based on first hand inspection of the item.

To get an auction estimate on an item (subject to the qualification above), Sotheby's offers the following choices:

Sotheby's also has experts in a range of fields, including Aboriginal art, who are able to provide appraisals and valuations. Fees are charged for a formal appraisal and valuation.

Approved Australian Government Valuers

The Australian Government has prepared a list of approved valuers for the purposes of its Cultural Gifts Program. The Web page for the Cultural Gifts Program has a link which allows you to download a current list of these approved valuers (which includes a number of people specifically approved to value Aboriginal art and artefacts).