Arts and antiques

Overview

What is arts and antiques?

Surveyors in this specialism are involved in the valuation, sale, purchase, management and conservation of personal property, arts and antiques. This includes, but is not limited to, fine art, collectables, heritage assets, antiques and jewellery, whether in public or private ownership.

Skills

What’s required for the role?

An interest in arts and antiques
Research skills
Attention to detail
Confident communication skills
Practical skills for conservation work
Ability to communicate and work well with clients
The ability to drive and work flexibly may be required in some roles

The details

Learn more about the role

What's the role like in practice?

This area is quite varied, but work could include visiting sales rooms, using expert knowledge to provide detailed inventories and valuation reports of art, antiques and jewellery for insurance and replacement, expert witness work and the sale and purchase of items at auction or privately.

Employers can include auction houses, and art and antique valuation firms.

The hours can vary, and you may be expected to travel.

What's the work environment like?

Office based but with travel to sales, auction houses and clients. Some overseas travel may be required.

What qualifications are required?

Surveyors in this area often have qualifications in art history and valuation and may have worked in auction houses or similar areas.

Is it for you?

Other useful skills to have:

Using verbal and written communication skills
Analysing and identifying patterns in data

Sustainability

How are art and antiques specialists responding to the need for sustainability?

Firms and individuals are operating with increased environmental awareness, for example in the use of packaging and transport. The markets they work in are also seeing a growing interest in sustainability, with collections, exhibitions and art relating to climate change and sustainability now featuring across key markets.

In addition, awareness of cultural appropriation, new legislation on the approach on issues relating to the trade in illegal wildlife and substances such as ivory are under review and surveyors need to be fully aware of the legislation and its implications. Finally, the profession is promoting its “Antiques are Green” initiative, for example, promoting the purchase and use of “brown furniture” to younger homeowners, rather than the purchase of newly made items.