In my role as a Registrar looking after an extensive and varied collection I have found being able to call on Colin’s expertise invaluable.
PROVIDING A BESPOKE, TAILORED SERVICE TO INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS.
WE MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE CLIENT, GIVING THEM A PRODUCT WHICH SUPPLIES COMPLETE CONFIDENCE AND ACCESS TO SPECIALIST SALES AND COLLECTION DISTRIBUTION KNOWLEDGE.
VALUATION, LOAN, ACQUISITION OR DISPOSAL
While many of the services we offer to private and trade client’s cross over to the needs of our institutional clients we often find that they benefit from more specific tailoring to thier needs. From working with small local authority museums to National Museums and institutions worldwide has given us broad ranging experience in these needs.
Valuation for acquisitions (either by direct sale or purchase via auction) offers many pitfalls for museums not used to the processes but from the experience we have gained we are able to work with curators from the initials enquiry stages through to eventual purchase. While this is often a very quick process via auction in longer more complex direct sales this can mean negotiations and help with funding bodies. This external help often gives museums a greater edge in securing important pieces for their collections.
Valuation for items being take in on loan or lent out is a very important product to have in place. Due to the specialised nature of these items in many cases it can be difficult to determine the value but is of the upmost importance. When key pieces from collections are loaned to other institutions, often internationally, the protection of these pieces in transit and on loan has to be a priority. This starts with up to date and quantifiable valuation, so that in the most unlikely of circumstances a problem arises these items and your collections are fully protected.
SOURCING ITEMS
Exhibition: Sourcing of items from private and family collections for exhibition to accent collections already held or to add greater depth to stand alone exhibitions gives a much fuller and often more ‘colourful’ final product in exhibition. Context and telling the story of subjects and themes can only be done with access to such items and through our work with private collectors we are able to offer items in many fields for long or short term loan.
Acquisition: While sourcing items for acquisition is often done in a rather reactive way when opportunity present, working to find items to acquire more proactively can prove significant in identifying key pieces before they come into the public domain.
Our continual search for new and interesting items means we are ideally placed to bring these opportunities to the attention of curators and help with purchase. Covering auctions and dealers worldwide means this large market is brought to you. Also bringing you as close to the point of source of an object meaning it can be purchased at the most competitive levels. This does not mean buying more collections it does mean buying the right pieces.
R.L. CHRISTIE VALUATION SERVICE
If you wish to contact us, please click here and use the form provided to send us some details and the nature of your enquiry.
