Frequently Asked Questions

We are located in the Los Angeles area and serve the surrounding counties throughout Southern California.

Jardine Gates is a generalist appraiser meaning she appraises a variety of objects from different categories. She is most adept with American, European, Haitian, and Latin American fine art from the 19th through 20th centuries, silver, art jewelry, furnishings, decor, Mid-Century Modern furnishings, art pottery, Arts & Crafts furnishings, luxury and couture, and more.

Jardine Gates has spent over a decade in the antique and fine art business. In addition to her BA in Art History, Jardine is a graduate gemologist, USPAP compliant, and an accredited member of the Appraisers Association of America.

We start by getting to know you, your needs, and the scope of the project. From there we will set up an appointment to assess, catalog, measure, and photograph the collection. Then Gates Art Co. begins the assessment and prepares your report. The process can take between one and two months depending on the scope and scale of the project. Larger projects will take longer to complete.

As defined by USPAP, an appraisal is “the act or process of developing an opinion of value.”

At Gates Art Co. we usually bill by the hour. Before we begin the formal appraisal process we may conduct a walk-through and present you with a written estimate.

We do not. If you have pieces you are interested in selling we can help put you in contact with our network of recommended dealers, galleries, auction houses, and estate sale companies.

Appraisers are not authenticators and Gates Art Co. is no exception. We do, however, make an effort to properly identify each piece and conduct our research using our client’s paperwork, catalogue raisonnés, consulting with experts in the field, and more.

Navigating the world of auctions can be tricky. There are many good auction houses out there and most excel in specific categories. For example, one may have a great audience for Art Pottery but struggle selling mid-century furnishings. At Gates Art Co. we will identify and connect you with the best auction houses to fit your needs, negotiate the best rates, and shepherd you through the process until the piece is sold.

If you have a large collection of objects, are actively buying and selling works, or just want to have an inventory of your household contents done, we recommend undertaking inventory management. Similar to our appraisal process we will catalog, assess, inventory, and maintain a database of your collection.