OBJECT IDENTIFICATIONS AND APPRAISALS

Inquiries Regarding Winterthur Museum Objects

For questions about Winterthur Museum objects, please contact:

Curatorial Intern
Museum Collections Division
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
5105 Kennett Pike
Winterthur, DE 19735

Telephone: 302.888.4775
Fax: 302.888.4700

Email: museumcollections@winterthur.org

Inquiries Regarding Non-Winterthur Objects

Due to an increasing number of inquiries from the public, the curators at Winterthur are only able to provide object identification services (excluding appraisals) for individuals who are Members of the museum at the Patron level ($250) and above. The curators welcome the opportunity to share with Patron Members their expertise in the decorative and fine arts made or used in America from 1640 to 1860. For more information on this program, please contact the curatorial intern (above).

Appraisals

Winterthur is unable to provide values of objects or give references to specific appraisers due to ethical considerations. The following organizations can help you find a qualified appraiser in your area:

• Appraisers Association of America, 212.889.5404
• American Society of Appraisers, 703.478.2228
• International Society of Appraisers, 206.241.0359

Conservation

Winterthur offers a Conservation Clinic to answer visitors’ concerns about caring for their objects. Visitors can bring objects in for a conservator to assess (they do not give appraisals) and can receive recommendations for outside conservators if treatment is needed. For further assistance in finding a qualified conservator in your area, please contact the American Institute of Conservators at 202.452.9545, ext. 1.

Research

Visitors may wish to use the Winterthur Library to research items in their own collections. The library, with holdings of books, periodicals, manuscripts, ephemera, and photographs, specializes in decorative arts and material culture from the 17th to the 21st century. It is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and the reference desk can be reached at 302.888.4681. You also can access the online catalogue and address questions to Reference@winterthur.org.