The May New York marquee auctions have demonstrated that the art market isn't simply strong or weak, it's increasingly selective. $2.5B in sales across the major houses, driven by exceptional single-owner collections and trophy works. Ultra high-end of the market remains resilient for exceptional works which achieve exceptional results $1.4B in marquee lots were backed by third-party guarantees Provenance, rarity and quality attract fierce bidding and record prices Works fre

In the June installment of our “How to care for…” series, where each month we provide expert insights on how to care for different categories of collectibles, we focus on jewelry. Our colleague Teri Brossmer, GIA GG, ASA, Master Gemologist Appraiser®, ARM-GJ collaborated with us to share her tips for the proper handling and care of fine jewelry. Stayed tuned in the coming months for additional tips from Terri on how to care for specific gems and metals. How to Care for Your

Understanding the value of art can be more complicated than many people realize. Between auction sales, insurance appraisals, market trends, and artist reputation, there are a number of misconceptions that often lead collectors to misunderstand what their artwork is truly worth. At Roth|Escher Art Group, we regularly help clients navigate these questions through appraisals, advisory services, and collection management. Below are some of the most common misconceptions we encou

Presenting Part 2 of our series on how to care for works on paper in collaboration with paper conservator Karen Zukor, owner of Zukor Art Conservation in Oakland, CA. Part 1 highlighted environmental factors and in Part 2, Karen shares best practices for the storage of unframed works on paper. STORAGE GUIDELINES: The safest storage for all documents and works of art on paper is flat storage that provides protection against light, acidity, dust, temperature and humidity fluctu

Art history is often told through a familiar canon—but beyond the names we hear most often lies a deeper, more expansive story. Many women artists have made extraordinary contributions across centuries, though their work has not always received the recognition it deserves. Below, we highlight five lesser-known female artists whose practices span continents, mediums, and movements—each offering a distinct and meaningful voice within the history of art. Michaelina Wautier (1604

Usually not. While a receipt or purchase invoice can be helpful documentation, it is not the same as an appraisal and often does not provide the information needed for insurance coverage, estate planning, charitable donation, equitable distribution, or resale planning. A receipt simply reflects what was paid at a particular moment in time. It does not account for changes in the market, identify the correct type of value needed, or include enough detail to properly describe th

We are pleased to present the next feature in our “How to care for…” series! Read below for a snapshot into the care, handling, and storage of works on paper in collaboration with paper conservator Karen Zukor, owner of Zukor Art Conservation in Oakland, CA. In Part 1, Karen shares information on paper and what environmental factors to watch out for. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PAPER Paper is an absorbent material, easily torn and inherently fragile. It is also highly reactive t

And how to protect your collections from them Thank you to our colleagues at The American Institute for Conservation & Foundation for Advancement in Conservation for publishing this valuable information. Nothing lasts forever. Even the most outwardly sturdy objects are vulnerable to damage and time. Through conservation and preservation, we can prolong the lifespan of an object, but there are specific “Agents of Deterioration” that pose risks to treasured items. By learning a

Our colleague Melissa Leventon, ASA and co-founder and principal at Curatrix Group, who specializes in textile and fashion appraisals and museum consulting, collaborated with us to share her tips for the proper handling and care of designer and luxury handbags. Both investment-grade handbags and ordinary purses benefit from being well-cared-for. See below for tips on what to do, and not to do. Avoid stress, strain, and environmental extremes:do not overstuff your handbag, whi

Protecting Your Collection in Late Summer Heat and Early Fall Humidity Humidity and heat can damage artwork, textiles, and furniture. A few preventive steps now can save thousands in restoration costs later. Keep works on paper and textiles away from direct sunlight. Monitor indoor humidity, aim for 40–55%. If moving or storing items during a remodel, use climate-controlled storage. Avoid putting your art at risk with DIY projects, hire a trusted art handling firm to move, re

We speak to our decorative art specialist Liza Hickey about how to care for your wood furniture. Many of us have antique wood furniture in our homes. After 100 or more years, the wood used to craft these pieces can be vulnerable to a number of elements. Storing antique furniture in unventilated, non-temperature controlled environments, like garages, sheds, and attics, can lead to problems. Here are three main factors that can be addressed to help keep your antiques looking go

We were honored to participate in a panel discussion “Collecting with Purpose,” organized by Cura Art, bringing together collectors, artists, and art professionals for a thoughtful conversation about the relationships that influence the arts ecosystem. The wonderful panelists included collector and host David Johnson, artist Andrea Bowers, collections managers Liza Shapiro and Georgia Powell, and appraiser Andrea Roth. They shared their insights on the motivations behind coll

Whether you have small tabletop pieces in your home, antique garden statuary, or large outdoor sculpture, here is some expert advice on proper and safe care for your bronze collection. Corrosion, poor handling and inappropriate storage are the major causes of damage to metal artifacts. Most metal artifacts should not be handled with bare hands. Salts and oils from your skin can etch into uncoated metals and may even cause permanent damage. Soft cotton gloves or any clean glov

Unexpected loss is something most people assume will never happen to them… until it does. When it comes to art, collectibles, and residential contents, underinsurance is often discovered only after a claim is filed, when it is too late to correct. The good news: a little planning goes a long way. Here are a few steps that can help you protect what you own before the unexpected happens: ✓ Make sure art and valuables are appraised every 3-5 years ✓ Have an inventory with photo

Will AI Replace Appraisers and How it Impacts our Profession. The world is abuzz about the use of AI and how it may replace some professions. A hot button topic is the use of AI in appraising. The media purports that AI will soon replace appraisers, revolutionizing our industry. We wanted to review some of the developments, concerns, upsides, and best practices regarding the use of AI in our field. This past November, at the annual Of Value Conference hosted by the Appraiser

Today we speak to our decorative art specialist Liza Hickey about how to care for your silver. Whether you are a serious art and antiques collector with an extensive collection, or have just a few precious objects, or even someone with hand-me-downs from your family, we aim to provide insights on how best to preserve, store and maintain your valued collections. Stay tuned on the first Tuesday of each month for a new installment. During our appraisal inspections, we often see

Photo © sfmoma.org KAWS: FAMILY SFMOMA: Nov. 15 - May 3, 2026 This exhibit marks KAWS's first major museum exhibition on the West Coast. KAWS: FAMILY presents the artist's work over the past three decades and its ability to generate emotions and trigger collaborations. From paintings, drawings, and sculptures to advertising interventions, product collaborations, and collectible toys, visitors will encounter the many creative expressions of KAWS’s distinctive language. More in

We exhibited for the first time at the Pacific Coast Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (PCAPIA) in Marina Del Rey in November. Andrea, Nancy and Lexi attended and it was a great opportunity for us to better understand the nature of this industry whereby insurance adjusters advocate for their clients in complex loss settlements. We were grateful to be able to highlight our services and it was a pleasure to meet so many professionals dedicated to excellence in the claim

Doesn't art usually appreciate in value over time? The value of artwork held for an extended period may depreciate for several reasons. Market demand for specific artists, styles, or mediums can shift over time as collector tastes evolve and new artists emerge. If an artist’s market has softened due to decreased visibility, fewer exhibitions, reduced gallery representation, or lower auction performance, earlier purchases may no longer command the prices they once did. Additio

New York Auction Week During the last weeks of November, the major auctions in New York have made a very big statement that trophy works still sell: New York’s fall auction season was strong across all major houses. Sotheby’s led with approximately $1.17 billion in sales, its best New York series since 2021. The standout was Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer at $236.4 million, now the most expensive modern artwork ever sold at auction. Sotheby’s three-part Modern e