Accurate antique valuations require specialist knowledge of furniture history, current market conditions, and authentication expertise. We provide valuation services for probate, insurance, pre-sale assessment and authentication purposes.
John Bly's experience as BBC Antiques Roadshow furniture expert since 1978, combined with our family's trading history since 1891, informs our approach to valuation and authentication. We assess furniture, silver, ceramics, glass and decorative arts across all categories of valuation requirements.
Valuation Services
Probate Valuations Estate inventories for probate purposes, meeting requirements for Inheritance Tax returns. We photograph and document items, research market values, and prepare written reports.
Insurance Valuations Replacement value assessments for insurance policy purposes. Important for period furniture and decorative arts where standard household policies may not provide adequate cover.
Pre-Sale Appraisals Market value assessments before auction or private sale. We provide realistic valuations based on current market conditions and comparable sales.
Authentication & Condition Reporting Detailed examination establishing period authenticity, maker identification where possible, condition assessment, and restoration history.
What We Value
Furniture English period furniture from early Georgian through Edwardian periods. We assess construction techniques, identify timber species, evaluate joinery methods, and research maker attributions where evidence exists.
Silver Hallmarked silver from 1658 onwards. We identify makers' marks, date pieces using hallmark systems, and assess condition and originality. See John Bly’s book: Discovering Hallmarks on English Silver
Ceramics & Glass Period porcelain, pottery and glass. Authentication includes identifying manufacturers, dating pieces, and assessing condition and completeness.
Decorative Arts Bronzes, clocks, barometers, mirrors and objects d'art. Market values depend on authenticity, maker, period, condition and current collecting trends.
Authentication Process
Authentication forms the foundation of accurate valuation. We examine construction details, assess patination and wear patterns, identify tool marks and techniques, and compare pieces against documented examples.
For furniture, this involves inspecting joinery methods, examining timber selection and figuring, assessing hardware and locks, and evaluating any restoration or modification. Period pieces show characteristic construction features that differ from later reproductions.
Maker identification relies on construction details, stylistic analysis, comparison with documented works, and research into workshop practices of known makers. Not all pieces can be attributed to specific makers, but period and regional origin can usually be established.
Provenance Research
Where pieces have documented history, we research ownership chains, exhibition records, publication history, and sale records. Provenance can significantly affect value, particularly for museum-quality pieces or works by documented makers.
Our research uses auction archives, exhibition catalogues, published references, and our own business records dating back over 130 years. Some pieces passing through earlier generations of our family business have documentation in our archives.
Valuation Reports
Written reports include photographed inventory, item descriptions, period and maker attributions where establishable, condition assessments, and market valuations with supporting evidence.
Reports are prepared for different purposes—probate valuations differ in format from insurance valuations, which differ from pre-sale assessments. We tailor documentation to the intended use.
Credentials
LAPADA member and past BADA Chairman with specialist expertise. John Bly has provided valuations for institutions, private collectors and professional and legal purposes throughout a career spanning decades.
The firm of John Bly has supplied pieces to museums including the V&A, formed great collections globally and provided expertise for notable sales including documented historical pieces. This background informs our authentication and valuation approach.
When Valuations Are Needed
Executors require probate valuations for estate settlement and tax purposes. Insurance companies need replacement value assessments for policy coverage. Individuals considering sale need realistic market assessments before approaching auction houses or dealers.
Authentication becomes important when provenance is unclear, when pieces have been attributed to notable makers, or when distinguishing period originals from later reproductions affects value significantly.
Site Visits & Remote Assessments
For estates or multiple items, we conduct site visits. Single items can often be assessed remotely with detailed photographs, though physical examination provides more certainty for authentication purposes.
Appointments can be arranged for bringing items to our Tring location, or we can visit properties for larger valuation requirements.
Areas We Cover
Based in Hertfordshire, we conduct valuations throughout the UK, Northern Europe and the USA. Site visits are arranged based on project scope and location.
Getting Valuation Quotes
Contact us with descriptions and photographs of items requiring valuation. We'll advise whether site visits are necessary and provide information about our valuation service options.
Enquiries:
Call: +44 (0) 1442 823030
Email: info@johnbly.com