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What Is Provenance—and Why Does It Matter?

May 30, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Appraisal, Art & Design, Collections 2 Comments

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, just starting to curate your first pieces, inheriting, or simply curious about a few objects, provenance comes into play. Understanding the story behind them is as essential as the value of the object, and may even influence its value. You might have heard the term tossed around in art circles, estate sales, or even on antiques shows—but what exactly does it mean?

What Is Provenance?

The French origin of the word comes from provenir, meaning “to originate”. In the simplest terms, provenance refers to the documented history of ownership and origin of an item. Think of it as a paper trail (sometimes literal, sometimes not) that tells the story of where an object has been, who has owned it, and how it made its way to you. For collectors, provenance is more than trivia—it’s a vital part of an object’s identity. It helps verify authenticity, establish value, record social and political history, and deepen your connection with the piece.

I developed an interest in object stories and provenance while growing up, as my parents collected objects from their travels around the world during their military service. My interest deepened during my master’s program, as we employed interdisciplinary research methods to investigate the history of craft objects, particularly those that were not well-documented, considered less valuable, or created by marginalized individuals, such as enslaved people, women, and indigenous peoples. Most recently, I attended an appraisal conference and met an instructor from the International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR). I decided to take a month-long class that explored the challenges and methods of provenance research. It did not disappoint, and my skills will be a valuable asset to my appraisal work and collections advising for clients.

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Why Provenance Matters

  1. Authenticity

Provenance can help confirm the authenticity of an item. For artworks, antiques, and historical artifacts, knowing who created, owned, or displayed them lends credibility and reduces the risk of buying reproductions or forgeries.

  1. Value

An object with a rich and well-documented history is often more valuable. For example, a vintage watch once owned by a notable figure or a painting featured in a museum exhibition may command a higher price than a similar item without that background.

  1. Storytelling

Let’s not underestimate the emotional impact of knowing an item’s past. Maybe that mid-century vase came from a Parisian flea market in the 1960s, or that quilt was passed down through generations of a single family. Provenance adds character—and character turns objects into treasures.

  1. Resale Potential

If you ever decide to sell or donate a piece, having a clear provenance can make the process easier and more lucrative. It gives future buyers the confidence and context they’re looking for.

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How to Document Provenance

If you’re building a collection (of your own art, or any objects), it’s a good idea to start tracking provenance now. As an appraiser and having recently completed a

Here are a few tips for getting started:

  • Keep receipts and invoices from galleries, dealers, or estate sales.
  • Save correspondence with previous owners or experts.
  • Photograph items in situ when you acquire them.
  • Note oral histories or anecdotes shared with you—write them down while they’re still fresh! Oral history is really vital and has become a more valid means of documentation.
  • Create a digital archive where you store records, certificates, and photos in one place.

Provenance transforms an “object” into a “story.” It turns collecting from a hobby into a form of storytelling and stewardship. Whether you’re collecting artwork, vintage furniture, family heirlooms, or quirky flea market finds, take the time to understand and preserve the provenance of each piece.

Future you—and future collectors—will thank you.

Navigating Appraisals and Auctions

February 4, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Appraisal, Art, Collections Leave a Comment

As a Professional Organizer and Personal Property Appraiser, I often help clients understand the best resources for valuing items in their homes.

Navigating appraisals and auctions can be intimidating and overwhelming.

Maybe you’ve inherited books, coins, or artwork you no longer want or have space to live with. I frequently work with clients who are downsizing and need to sell items. My first approach is to identify valuable items and cross-reference them with the items a client is willing to sell or give to family or friends (now or later). Sometimes, we don’t know the value of what we’re examining, so bringing in someone who knows more is an excellent idea. I’ve built relationships with local auction and estate sale companies specializing in specific item categories. I find that people often think they need an appraisal when they want to know how much something is worth. Both appraisals and auction companies can be excellent resources for this, but knowing when to appraise or when to auction can be confusing. This post will explain the process in simple terms.

💫 When you need an Appraisal

Over the past several years, I’ve had many clients who need help navigating the assessment of their collections. This is why I became a personal property appraiser. I aim to spot valuable items and alert my clients while also helping them find the best resources for selling. The first and most important thing to understand about appraisals is why you need one. There are three categories for appraisal. Each will help the appraiser determine what kind of valuation to apply to the appraised objects. The first appraisal categories is for insurance value, either before a policy is applied to or after a damage claim. The second category is donation appraisals for tax deduction and they require Fair Market Value. The IRS requires singular items over $5000 as well as collections that fall under other guidelines to be accompanied by a qualified appraisal. Finally, divorce or estate disbursement of assets often require valuations.

Each appraisal requires a specific approach to determine the value, which is accessed on different circumstances. It gets complicated! Before you ask for an appraisal, know that a qualified and accredited appraiser will first ask you why you need it. Becoming accredited is ‘governed’ by the National Appraisal Foundation, which sets the industry’s educational, ethical, and professional standards. Several appraisal trade organizations exist to implement these qualifications. I am a qualified International Society of Appraisers (ISA) member. If you find an appraiser who says they are licensed, ask questions. There is no such process of “Licensing” appraisers in the USA. Many excellent appraisers have been practicing  since before these standards were implemented in 1989, and they chose not to maintain these standards. You may not need a qualified appraiser. This is when working with an auction company might be worth considering.

💫Selling Items at Auction

Some auction companies specialize in specific items; others are generalists. Some sell antique and high-end items, others sell mid-tier ‘decorator’ items. Many auction companies and estate sales companies are happy to look at photos of items via email. They may also offer free consultation to see if you have items of interest to their clientele. Since COVID, most auctions are posted/cleared through online sites like Live Auctioneer reaching local and international clients. Ask the auction company who their clients are (local, specific types of collectors, etc). Look at their online presence with these clearing sites. You can set up a free profile before your objects go to market so that you can follow the process.

Understanding the buyer’s and seller’s premiums is essential before you agree to work with any auction company. It’s also important to understand the process of setting minimums for each object.

This way, if a specific price is not realized, the item will pass (not sell at a price lower than you desire). Not all auction companies recommend or offer this, so discussing their procedures is essential. Most auction companies do not disclose this on their website, so making some calls and emails to discuss your client’s details will be necessary. Have photos ready, look at past auctions to see what sold or didn’t, and see if items are similar to what you want to sell.Anchor💫Collectibles

Coins will always have a minimum of scrap metal value. This doesn’t mean you should sell them at a pawn shop! Books can be tricky, but if you know a few things to look for, you can narrow your selection to items likely to interest book resellers. Artwork, fine crafts, antique, vintage furniture or clothing, glassware or cut crystal, paperweights, shells, objects from global travels, and more. There are many reasons that people collect. A collection might start with an object or two; purchased, gifted, or inherited. It may start as a way to memorialize a special occasion. Many people don’t consider themselves collectors because they don’t equate monetary value with their things. There are all kinds of collectors and many reasons for collecting. Once we have identified what we love and are collecting, it’s helpful to write down why and how the collection came to be and document the history of objects (provenance matters).

Anchor💫Decorative Objects/Decorative Arts

We live with decorative objects; lamps, baskets, decorative accessories, sculptures, glassware, silver, ceramics, and more. I recently worked with an specialist to help a client with a fine southern antique silver collection. With the pieces accessed by a specialist auction company, they realized thousands more than they would have received with a smaller (generalist) company. It pays to seek experts and get second opinions. It’s also an excellent opportunity to learn from them!

Anchor💫Artwork

When looking for an auction house specializing in artworks, it is essential to find the right expertise. Those specializing in specific artists, styles, periods, regions, etc. I have worked with several auction houses in South Carolina, depending on the client’s needs and collections. I always invite the best auction company for the most prominent work in a collection to look (via emailed photos and/or in-person) and make first choices. With this “top-down” approach I learn from the prominent auction companies what work they want, then find alternate opportunities for the remaining items.  Art can be expensive to crate and ship, but that may be the best option for some artwork if it will command a much higher price. This is important to consider before agreeing to work with anyone specifically. Before signing with any auction co, it’s helpful to know if a reputable and appropriate company closer to you can represent your assets and reach the market needed to sell goods at top prices.

I hope this short post is helpful and provides more information about what, why, and when to seek out an Appraisal or Auction Company. Please leave a comment below if I can answer any more specific questions.

Unraveling Courage

January 18, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Inspiration & Education, Planning & Goals, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 2 Comments

Happy 2025! I have been unraveling words over the past few weeks. These days, when greeting people right after New Year, I find it’s not uncommon to exchange “words.” Selecting a word for the year (WOTY) or One Little Word (OLW-Ali Edwards) has become common practice! Susannah Conway (a photographer and creative soulmate) offers a free workbook and workshops. Many others are offering community support to establish or continue this practice. I began this practice in 2011, a year with much uncertainty. I had left my corporate career as a textile designer feeling insecure and excited about my future. I began by setting an intention for my year by selecting a word; that year, I needed clarity. By the end of the year, I had launched my business, firmly stepped away from my corporate career, and permitted myself to transform as things came into focus. The results of selecting a word were powerful, and the practice has stayed with me all these years!

My previous words over the past DECADE of selecting a WOTY. 

  • 2011: CLARITY
  • 2012: SOAR
  • 2013: RADIANT
  • 2014: PLAY
  • 2015: CHOICE
  • 2016: HARMONY
  • 2017: ACCEPTANCE
  • 2018: FEARLESS
  • 2019: INTENTION
  • 2020: INTEGRATION
  • 2021: POSSIBILITY
  • 2022: HOPE
  • 2023: DELIGHT
  • 2024: COMPASSION

I love how they connect and flow into one another.

My word for 2025 is COURAGE.

With so many intense things happening in America and the world, from politics to natural disasters, it already feels fitting. Everything feels like a big tangled ball of scary unknown outcomes (that’s life, right?!). Unraveling courage of those messy feelings is what the process feels like for me. We can all use a little (or a lot) courage to help us navigate life’s challenges. My method of selecting a word for the year combines reflecting on the past year’s lessons and what I’ve taken away from my previous year’s words.

Word Cloud of Courage and its synonyms created with Scapple. 

Last year, compassion (for self and others) taught me how to surrender, open my heart as a lifelong practice, and act in a manner that includes kindness and healthy boundaries. I went into the year feeling like I was not always very compassionate. My work with compassion is not done. Each year, when I focus on a word, I begin a lifelong exploration of my relationship to that feeling, emotion, or action. There have been times when I felt ashamed for not being more compassionate towards myself or someone else. Sometimes, it’s a conflicting choice, and it can feel like you are turning your back on another person to act compassionately towards yourself. I believe that ultimately when we learn to treat ourselves with compassion, we can better give that compassion back as a gift to others. As I reflected on these lessons, courage emerged as my word, primarily because it’s how I want to feel and act. There is a lot of fear out there right now, and I do not want to live in fear. Facing our fears takes courage. Choosing to turn toward what frightens me feels vitally important. As you can see below in the word cloud, looking at the synonyms helps me understand if a word is right for me.

In 2018, my word was Fearless or an absence of fear. Courage is slightly different. The implications are that we act despite our fears, facing them head-on. Despite our worries, facing something we are afraid of requires vulnerability; it may require asking for help, stepping outside our comfort zone, collaborating with others, and being brave and adventurous. Some acts of courage require us to stretch our boundaries, expand our horizons, and push the limits of what we think we can do. I’m starting by tackling a few tasks that I’ve put on hold or been procrastinating on that have to do with disaster and legacy planning (it’s never too early to begin planning for what ifs and absolutelys).

I’m ready for some of that! I’m feeling the need (as I mentioned above) for courage in my personal life, how I interact within the community, and in my business (as I step more boldly into my role as an appraiser). I use a vision board to mind map and visualize what courage might look life in my own life. It reflects actions, feelings, and how I imagine bringing my word into my daily life. On the vision board above, courage looks fun and playful, not like a scary monster. That is how I’m approaching courage in 2025. I would love your thoughts on the Word of the Year (WOTY) process. Please comment on this post to let me know your word (s).

Discovering Delight

January 3, 2023 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Inspiration & Education, Planning & Goals, Productivity, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset 4 Comments

Happy 2023! These days, when greeting people right after New Year, I find it’s not uncommon to exchange “words.” Selecting a word for the year (WOTY) has become common practice! It was a year that began with a lot of uncertainty. I had left my long-term corporate career as a textile designer, and though I was finding my way, I was still far from confident in my future. I began setting an intention for my year by selecting a word; that year, I needed clarity. By the end of the year, I had launched my business, firmly stepped away from my corporate career, and permitted myself to be with unknowing as things came into focus. The results of selecting a word was powerful, and the practice has stayed with me. 

In 2022, I began the year needing HOPE. Strangely, I selected the word before things started to get crazy in our lives. I just figured that after two years of being worn down by the pandemic and grad school, I needed hope. 

I needed to be in a mind state of hope.

I needed to act in hope. 

I learned to live in a state of hope, to remember to be hopeful, and to take actions that lead to hopeful outcomes! 

HOPE became a practice.

As I reflected on my capacity to carry hope with me, I realized that I wanted more. I wanted something more expansive, light, and inspiring. I thought about the word inspiration and realized that I was trying to get deeper to our source of inspiration and oftentimes, that is what delights us. 

I want to live in Delight! 

 

WOTY-2023 Delight

 

Having my 4-year-old nephew with me over the holidays was a wonderful reminder that the delight children live with (much of the time). I asked myself if I could just recapture some of that every day.

Yes, I believe I can live in delight! It’s a practice and my intention for 2023. I will spend the next year playing with, noticing, cultivating, discovering, and pursuing what is a delight. 

Delight is everywhere! It’s a matter of noticing and finding gratitude for what is delightful.

Reflecting on the past DECADE of my practice of selecting a WOTY, here are some of my previous words. I love how they connect and flow into one another.

2011: CLARITY
2012: SOAR
2013: RADIANT
2014: PLAY
2015: CHOICE
2016: HARMONY
2017: ACCEPTANCE
2018: FEARLESS
2019: INTENTION
2020: INTEGRATION
2021: POSSIBILITY
2022: HOPE
2023: DELIGHT



















Word Cloud Created with Thinkmap: https://www.visualthesaurus.com/

I would love to hear your thoughts on the word of the year process (WOTY). Hit reply and let me know your word (s).

2022-HOPE for what is possible

January 3, 2022 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Inspiration & Education, Planning & Goals, Productivity, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

The beginning of a new year fills me with HOPE for what is possible.

Hope

My word for 2021 was Possibility. In 2021, possibility felt like an opening, and an invitation to release my grip on expectations. There is no failure, there is only what is possible! 

Not everything I envisioned came to be, but I was conscious that I had and have a choice to pursue or release whatever possibilities come across my path. 

Possibilities are limitless.
Possibilities are an invitation.
Possibilities are the seed of the future.

Reflecting on the past DECADE of my practice of selecting a WOTY, here are some of my previous words. I love how they connect and flow into one another.

2011: CLARITY
2012: SOAR
2013: RADIANT
2014: PLAY
2015: CHOICE
2016: HARMONY
2017: ACCEPTANCE
2018: FEARLESS
2019: INTENTION
2020: INTEGRATION
2021: POSSIBILITY

2022: HOPE

Hope is one of the three ethical Christian virtues, along with faith and charity. Although this is not what drew me to the word, my choice for hope is an expansion of the possibilities of 2021. Hope is related to faith, and trust. It may for some, require those qualities, yet it is an expectation.

With hope, I envision something better-I give myself permission to dream again, to invite, to anticipate, to DESIRE.

Word Cloud Created with Thinkmap: https://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Hope is a Promise and an Invitation, an Outlook, and a State of Mind.


I would love to hear your thoughts on the word of the year process (WOTY). Hit reply and let me know your word (s)?

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