4 min read
Understanding Provenance
Provenance is the recorded history of an object's ownership. This guide explains how it is assembled, why it affects value, how it is described in a catalogue, and what a gap in the record means.
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Knowledge centre
Authentication, Condition & Provenance
The catalogue entry is the substance of what we sell. The answers below explain the vocabulary we use, the limits of a condition report, and how provenance is researched and recorded.
9 questions
What is a condition report?
A condition report is a written statement of the physical state of a lot, prepared by a specialist on request. It records losses, tears, repairs, staining, foxing, trimming, fading, restoration and any other feature material to the object as it now stands.
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Request one from the lot page, or write to us. Requests are answered in the order received, so please allow time before the lot closes rather than asking on the final day.
Read the full answerWhat are the limits of a condition report?
It is a considered professional opinion, not a warranty, and it does not purport to record every imperfection consistent with the age and nature of the object. The absence of a remark is not a statement that a lot is in perfect condition; wherever practicable we encourage inspection or further photography.
Read the full answerWhat does foxing mean?
Foxing describes the small reddish-brown spots that appear on older paper, arising from the interaction of humidity with metallic impurities or fungal activity in the sheet. Light foxing is common and often acceptable; heavy foxing affects both appearance and value, and we distinguish between them.
Read the full answerWhat does a catalogue attribution actually mean?
Our cataloguing follows established conventions. An unqualified statement of authorship is our considered opinion that the work is by that hand; qualified forms such as attributed to, circle of, or after each carry a defined and progressively weaker meaning, explained in the glossary published with every catalogue.
Read the full answerWhat guarantee do you give as to authenticity?
We give a limited authenticity guarantee under the conditions of sale: where a lot is subsequently shown to be a deliberate forgery, and the claim is brought within the stated period with supporting expert evidence, the sale is rescinded and the purchase price returned.
Read the full answerHow do you authenticate a signature?
By comparison with securely documented exemplars from the same period, examination of the ink, paper, stationery and postal markings, assessment of the content against the known biography, and, where the value warrants it, independent forensic or scholarly opinion. A certificate from an unknown issuer carries no weight with us.
Read the full answerWhat is provenance and why does it matter?
Provenance is the recorded history of ownership of an object. It supports authenticity, may add materially to value where the previous owners are distinguished, and is essential to establishing lawful title, particularly for material that changed hands in Europe between 1933 and 1945.
Read the full answerWhat checks do you make on title and loss registers?
We require the consignor to warrant unencumbered title, we research the ownership history, and we check appropriate loss and stolen-property registers before offering material of significance. Where a question remains unresolved, we decline the property.
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