Buried deep in your attic or basement, you probably have a piece of art that is a complete mystery.
It was passed down from a relative or bought at a yard sale because it reminded you of some special moment from your life – or it just looked cool. But the unknown has been gnawing at you for years. We feel your pain, and so does McGowan Fine Art owner Sarah Chaffee.
That’s why she’s offering you the chance to bring in that old piece of art to get it professionally looked at – for free. On April 7 (that’s Tuesday for those of you who refuse to look at calendars), McGowan is hosting an appraisal and assessment day at the gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where three people, who are a pretty big deal in the art world, will be on hand to look over your mysterious pieces.
“I always call it our little Concord Antiques Roadshow,” Chaffee said.
Cory Barbis of Barbis Fine Art Restoration will look at artworks on paper and give free estimates for cleaning and restoration for items damaged by water stains, mildew, acid damage from improper framing and tears. Barbis can also restore antique frames.
“Often times, you see the frame is more valuable than the piece,” Chaffee said.
If your work is on canvas, then Linda Donovan of Conservation of Paintings will help identify the best way to restore the piece, whether it has been exposed to smoke or is just plain dirty. Donovan also can repair tears and flaking paint, as well as re-stretch canvases and will be giving free assessments as to the condition of your paintings.
But if you want to know how valuable a piece is, Martha Richardson of Richardson Fine Art of Boston is the person for you. She will be giving free verbal appraisals of artwork – although there are certain criteria needed to establish a value.
“There’s all kinds of clues,” Chaffee said.
Signature is key, because without it there is no way to truly know who created it and, unfortunately, that means it’s not worth anything. If there is a John Hancock on the piece, then auction records – if there are any – will help with the appraisal.
“It’s more of an opinion than a real appraisal,” Chaffee said. “It gives people a ballpark.”
But the day is not all about trying to see how much money you can squeeze out of your artwork or frame. That’s why people are invited to stick around after they’ve had their chance to talk with the experts.
“People are wowed by price, but they also learn a lot,” Chaffee said. “After people come and get their piece appraised, they will stick around and listen.”
This is the first appraisal and assessment day since 2012, and Chaffee is hoping it will bring in a lot of people.
“We used to do it every year, but I didn’t find as big of an audience,” Chaffee said.
And Chaffee really never knows what will come through the door to get a once over. One year, someone brought in an original painting by Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the Madeline children’s book series, that, let’s just say, was worth quite a bit of moola.
But no matter what the price tag comes in at, if there’s even one, Chaffee has some advice for people.
“If you love it and treasure it, then it has value,” she said.
So go check out those dark corners of your house and see what you can find. The worst thing they can say is that it’s worth as much as a Keith Testa or Tim Goodwin original. Which, for disclosure purposes, is right around zero.
