§ 01
Observed, documented, believed
Every statement in a description falls somewhere between what can be seen directly and what is believed on the basis of indirect evidence. Reading carefully means noticing which is which.
01Observed
Visible in the object or a clear photograph: "signed lower right", "chip to rim".
02Documented
Supported by a record: a dated receipt, an exhibition label, a grading certificate.
03Attributed
An informed opinion drawn from comparison and experience: "attributed to".
04Believed
Family history or tradition, not yet supported by records.
A careful description does not hide the difference. "Signed lower right" is an observation. "Signed by the artist" is a claim about who made the signature. Both may be true; they are not the same statement.
§ 02
Condition notes
Condition describes the physical state of the object today. It covers wear, damage, repairs, missing parts, and, for mechanical items, whether they work. The absence of a condition note does not mean an object is perfect.
| Phrase | Usually means |
|---|---|
| Wear consistent with age | Normal handling marks; still worth asking what that looks like |
| Losses | Material is missing: paint, glaze, gilding, veneer or similar |
| Restoration / restored | Work has been done to return it toward an earlier appearance |
| As found / untested | Function or completeness has not been checked; assume nothing |
| Not examined out of frame / holder | Parts of the object were not visible to the cataloger |
§ 03
Attribution wording
Words around a maker or artist’s name signal how confident the cataloger is. Conventions vary between houses, so read each house’s definitions, but the general pattern is consistent.
| Wording | General sense |
|---|---|
| By [name] | The strongest claim: believed to be the work of that maker |
| Attributed to | Probably by that maker, with less certainty |
| Studio, workshop or circle of | Made near or under the influence of that maker |
| In the style of / manner of | Resembles their work; not claimed to be by them |
| After | A copy of a known work |
| Bears signature / inscribed | A signature is present; no claim is made about who wrote it |
§ 04
Provenance and paperwork
Provenance is the documented history of who owned an object and where it has been. It is strongest when each step is supported by a record: a dated receipt, a letter, an exhibition label, an earlier auction catalog, a photograph of the object in a known place.
- Family history is worth recording, but describe it as family history.
- A certificate is only as reliable as whoever issued it. Note who that was.
- Gaps are normal. A gap is not evidence of a problem, but it should not be filled with assumptions.
§ 05
Grading and authentication
Grading is a standardized condition opinion from an independent company, usually for cards, coins and notes. Authentication is an opinion that an item or signature is genuine. Both come from specific organizations with their own standards, and both are opinions at a point in time.
§ 06
Questions worth asking
Checklist · Before you bid or consign
- Which statements in this description are observations, and which are opinions?
- Has the object been examined out of its frame, case or holder?
- Is there any known restoration or replacement?
- What documentation exists, and can I see it?
- If a third party graded or authenticated it, who, and is the record verifiable?