Got any hidden gems?
Company will appraise artworks you might have in the closet
Do you have a painting hanging in your home that you know nothing about?
It might be that gift from a friend or relative, one given to you by someone who passed away or one you picked up at a yard sale … but you kind of like it.
And you are thinking “just maybe” this might be worth something.
If that’s the case, you may be able to find out whether or not you have a hidden treasure when Rob Crowley of Consignor Canadian Fine Art visits St. John’s on Tuesday.
He’ll be at The Rooms from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. meeting with people to discuss their paintings, prints or sculpture. (Those interested are asked to note it is by appointment only and details are available at the bottom of this article).
“We have done evaluation days from coast to coast and we try to get to each province,’’ Cowley said from Halifax Thursday.
“We travel extensively looking at artwork from people who have a curiosity. They bring it in to see if it’s an original or print and we can provide an amount each is worth.’’
Cowley has been assessing art for more than 18 years and he said he has seen a host of things during that time.
In one of those sessions a client brought five pieces of artwork.
“We looked at four of them and determined they were reproductions. When he pulled out the last one, we both looked at each other and thought the client was pulling a prank on us,’’ he said.
It turned out to be a painting — “Ukranian Proverb” — done by artist William Kurelek.
And how the consignor wound up with the painting was a story in itself as it was acquired by the parents of the current owner as a gift from Kurelek.
A family would provide fresh garden vegetables and homemade pastries to their neighbour, a professional photographer in return for photographs of their children and grandchildren.
During a visit to the photographer, the neighbours met Kurelek, who sampled their pastry and declared it to be “as good or better” than his mother’s.
The parents crossed the street
Consignor (Canadian Fine Art) is calling on the people of St. John’s to scour their homes in hopes of uncovering notable artworks that may be hiding in the attic or forgotten in the basement and the company is inviting the public to bring in works of art for free verbal appraisals.
and returned with a basket full of the strudel for the artist.
A few days later, Kurelek arrived on the consignor’s doorstep, delivering “Ukrainian Proverb” as a gift in response to their generosity.
The identity of the artist was not discussed by the family. The artwork hung prominently in the family home for decades, a sentimental token of a memorable encounter with a friendly artist.
It eventually sold for more than $41,000 at an auction.
Consignor is calling on the people of St. John’s to scour their homes in hopes of uncovering notable artworks that may be hiding in the attic or forgotten in the basement and the company is inviting the public to bring in works of art for free verbal appraisals.
Since its inception in 2013, Consignor’s art specialists have valued more than a million dollars in undiscovered art through public appraisal events and travels including a set of Jack Bush prints that were stored under the owner’s bed for decades — which sold for $57,000.
Apart from the sales of artwork through auction and private means, Consignor Canadian Fine Art also provides professional appraisal services.
Lydia Abbott and Rob Cowley are both accredited members of the International Society of Appraisers, the largest professional association of appraisal professionals in North America.
Abbott and Cowley can provide formal written appraisals, written to current USPAP standards (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) for a wide range of purposes, including insurance, probate, and donation.
Those wishing to have an appraisal done are asked to call 1-866-931-8415 or RSVP at www.consignor.ca to set up an appointment. These sessions are set for 15 minutes each.