SJIMA to host appraisal day and auction on May 28

SJIMA sends along an update about a new event taking place later this month.

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents our inaugural appraisal event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. Take the jewelry you inherited or a fine art piece and learn its worth and a bit of its history.

Specialists in the jewelry and fine art departments from Bonhams auction house will provide an informal verbal appraisal that will include an estimated value based on what the object might sell for at auction. The value is based on the specialist’s expertise and knowledge of what similar items are fetching in the current auction market. If an object meets the minimum consignment requirements, you will have the option to consign your item to Bonhams for sale at auction. Specialists are visiting from the Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles offices of the esteemed Bonhams auction house and are frequent guests on the popular PBS series Antique Road Show.

Appraisals are $50 for the first item and $25 for each additional item, with a maximum of three items. All proceeds from this event support the exhibitions and programs of the SJIMA in Friday Harbor.

The event will be in our galleries and participants can enter the side door of the glass atrium lobby. It will begin with a short panel discussion on collecting at 11 a.m. with appraisals immediately following until 3 p.m.

The event is first-come, first-served. You must be able to carry your items into the museum on your own. For large fine art pieces, photos of art, back of art and signature area can substitute for the item. For items other than jewelry or fine art, it may be possible for the specialists to provide photos and details to the appropriate specialist at Bonhams after the event. Any consignment agreements are between you and Bonhams; SJIMA is not involved with any auction activity. No written appraisals will be provided.

Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house. Founded in 1793, it is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques.

SJIMA will also be holding a silent auction. Items up for bid include an art quilt, wine basket, African Twilight photographs by Beckwith & Fisher, photographs by Ernest Brooks, art from the Deep Dive exhibition, and more.

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