What qualifies someone as an expert or professional?
Important question! Many people in the art and antiques arena call themselves, or may be considered an authority, expert or appraiser. These people range from collectors who feel they are experts (and some justifiably are in certain areas) to dealers, art historians, museum curators, and even the next door neighbor who goes to numerous garage sales and auctions. But only a person who has extensive formal training and hands on experience can be considered a professional. In addition, a professional appraiser should have some professional credentials (not unlike a physician, attorney or C.P.A.) from one of the nationally or internationally recognized appraisal associations. This verifies that he or she has undergone a “screening” process which takes into account their experience, business and personal character references and procedural standards and practices. Professional appraisers, not unlike physicians and attorneys, must renew their membership annually, and are subject to scrutiny
