Selection
Selection and review
Nothing appears on VALÉORINE because someone chose to list it. Every object is submitted for review, assessed by VALÉORINE and, where the subject requires it, by an independent specialist engaged for that field — and answered in writing either way.
What we look at first
Your images and description: what the object is, what it consists of, its condition as far as it can be seen, and what you know of how it came to you.
Independent specialists
VALÉORINE engages independent specialists by subject rather than keeping a standing department. The specialist who assessed a lot is named in the catalogue where they contributed to the entry.
What we ask you for
Better images, measurements, collation, or documents of provenance. Requests are specific, and you may decline — a submission is not an obligation.
The decision
Admitted for a forthcoming sale, admitted subject to conditions, or declined. Every decision is written, dated and recorded, with reasons.
Why objects are declined
Most often because the object falls outside our five fields, because condition cannot be reconciled with a fair description, because provenance cannot be established to a standard we are willing to publish, or because we cannot presently reach the right buyers for it.
Provenance and legality
We decline objects whose lawful ownership or export status cannot be satisfactorily established. Being declined on those grounds is not a judgement of you; it is a limit we impose on ourselves.
Cataloguing after admission
An admitted object is described, measured, collated where relevant, photographed to a common standard and given a condition report. Estimate and reserve are agreed with you before publication.
You keep the object throughout
Review requires no shipment. The object stays with you through assessment, cataloguing and the sale itself, and travels only once it has sold — directly to the buyer.
Review is free of charge and carries no obligation. An estimate given at review is an opinion of likely sale value, not a valuation for insurance, probate or export purposes.