Thomas Reinshagen
Art Appraisal in Switzerland, Recognized and Independent
Vendor-neutral valuations for art and luxury goods, recognized by banks, insurers and tax authorities.
When a serious appraisal really matters
An appraisal is never an end in itself. It becomes necessary when a decision needs to be made and you cannot rely on a vague price tag. Typical triggers:
- Insurance. You want to protect works against theft, damage or fire. The insured sum determines premium and coverage. What counts here is the correct insurance value (replacement value), not the market value.
- Inheritance and estate. A collection has to be divided, paid out or declared for tax. Estate communities, lawyers and notaries need a written valuation that holds in negotiation and calculation.
- Preparing a sale. Before you place a work in auction or a private sale, you should know what it is really worth and what proceeds are realistically achievable.
- Tax and authorities. Wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or exit taxation. Tax authorities in Switzerland, Germany and Austria require recognized valuations.
- Collateral or art lending. When a collection is used as security for a loan, the bank needs a lending value calculated by its own criteria.
- Structuring into a holding or foundation. Moving a collection into its own legal or tax structure requires a documented value.
- Divorce and separation of assets. Collection values need to be distributed fairly between the parties. Absolute discretion and a neutral value are essential.
- Clarity about your own holdings. Sometimes the trigger is not an event, but simply the wish to know where you stand and how the value has developed.
Which type of value you actually need
Valuations are not a uniform service. The value concept written in a report depends on the purpose. Five types of value come up most often:
Market value (fair value)
The price that could be achieved today in the open market between an objective buyer and an objective seller. The basis for sales, gifts, estate division and tax declaration.
Insurance value (replacement value)
The amount it would cost to acquire a comparable work again on the market, including buyer’s premium, transport and insurance. Usually higher than the market value.
Tax value
The value officially recognized by authorities, often with its own rules per canton or country. Relevant for wealth tax, inheritance and gift tax.
Lending value
The value a bank accepts as collateral for a loan. Typically more conservative than the market value, depending on liquidity and market depth of the work.
Connoisseur value
The amount a particular collector is willing to pay above the market value. Rarely documented, but a real factor for unique provenances, signed pieces or works with a collector history.
Which value you need, when, is something we clarify in the first conversation. That avoids ending up with a report that does not fit your actual purpose.
What is in one of my valuation reports
- Detailed description of the work, with dimensions, material, technique, dating, signatures and inscriptions
- Provenance research and ownership history as far as traceable
- Condition report with photographic documentation, restoration notes and preservation recommendations
- Market analysis with current auction results and comparable private sales
- Clearly named value type (market value, insurance value or other) with reference date
- Reasoning for the result, so the conclusion is verifiable
- Signature, stamp and proof of accreditation
Which objects and collection categories I appraise
Art
.
Art
Luxury watches
.
Luxury watches
Jewelry and gemstones
Jewelry and gemstones
Classic cars
Wine collections
Antiques and collectibles
Other tangible assets
How a valuation actually runs
For single works, the finished report is often delivered within a week. Collections of 30 to 50 positions typically take three to six weeks.
Confidential first conversation.
We clarify which value type you really need, whether an on-site visit is necessary, and how deep the research needs to go. Free of charge, no obligation.
➝ 30 to 45 minutes.
Mandate definition.
Written, clear: scope, fee, data protection, delivery date.➝ 1 to 3 days.
Viewing and research.
Inspection of works (on site, from photographic documentation, or at the storage location), provenance research, market analysis, comparable values➝ 1 to 4 weeks.
Written report.
Full report as PDF and printed, signed and stamped. In multiple languages on request.➝ Delivery date as per mandate
Follow-up.
Updates, extensions or adjustments when the market moves. Annual value updates on request.➝ Supervision: Ongoing
Who this appraisal service is for
- Private collectors who need clarity about single works or an entire collection, before a sale, for insurance or simply for themselves
- Family offices and multi-family offices who include art as an asset class in their balance sheet and reporting
- Lawyers and notaries in inheritance or divorce mandates, where collection values need to be established in a legally robust way
- Tax advisors and trustees who need valuations for tax declarations, expatriation or holding structures
- Banks and insurers for collateral, lending and claims settlement
- Foundations and museums for donations, inventories and collection care
- Heir communities deciding between payout, division or sale of an inherited collection
Why clients commission my appraisals
- Over 30 years of market experience in the art and luxury goods business
- Former head of Sotheby’s Zurich
- Accredited by several reputable Swiss private banks and financial institutions. Valuations and advisory are recognized by tax authorities, insurers and financial institutions
- Vendor-neutral. I do not sell works and do not hold any auction mandate. My report serves your decision, not my follow-on business
- Network of recognized specialists for fields that require special expertise (Asian art, old masters, gemstones, vintage movements), including technical examinations when needed
- Multilingual. German, English, French, Spanish. International mandates are routine
- Discretion as a standard, not as a promise. Mandates are not referenced, works are not shown, clients are not named
Frequently asked questions
What does a valuation report cost?
How long does a valuation take?
What is the difference between market value and insurance value?
Are your reports also recognized by Swiss tax authorities?
Can you also appraise from photographs or online?
How current does a valuation need to be?
Ready for a conversation?
Direct contact:
+41 79 293 46 85
reinshagen@thomasreinshagen.com
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Contact
- Thomas Reinshagen Art and Luxury Consulting. Zürich. Schweiz.
- +41 79 293 46 85
- reinshagen@thomasreinshagen.com