FINE ART TRADE & BROKERAGE

On behalf of our clients, we search, find and buy specific works.  We manage the sale of works in private sales or auctions.  We use our excellent international network of contacts to collectors, auction houses, galleries and art dealers, which has grown over the years.  The scope of our services varies according to the ideas, wishes and needs of our respective clients and is defined in a joint discussion. 

We are proud member of the Swiss Art Trading Association, SATA, founded in 1912.

APPRAISALS & VALUATIONS

We prepare independent and professional appraisals for clients who require a valuation of their works of art.  We regularly issue such valuations to private collectors, corporate collections, international art insurers, estates and estate executors, foundations and family offices who prefer an objective, independent and professional valuation outside of auction houses, and who trust our professional competence, appreciate the quality of our work and know about our care when handling works of art.

René Lahn, AAA, is the only independent and Certified Member in Switzerland of AAA, the Appraisers Association of America, the internationally recognized industry leader in art appraisals.  Certification is the highest level that can be achieved. 

René Lahn offers appraisal services in accordance with the practices and ethics of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the industry standard for professional appraisers and the Appraisers Association of America. René Lahn is a "qualified appraiser" for the purpose of IRS appraisals.  

Appraisal services include: Estate Tax Appraisals for IRS purposes, Charitable Donation Appraisals (including IRS Form 8283), Insurance Appraisals and Asset Valuation.

American clients who hold parts of their collection in Europe benefit from our service in particular.  Being based in Europe, there is no need for time-consuming and cost-intensive travel to Europe by appraisers from the USA. We are able to handle mandates competently, efficiently, and in a timely matter.

EXPERTISE & RESEARCH

We provide art historical research of works and place them in an overall context of the artist's oeuvre.  We verify provenance and consult with artists' estates and artists' studios for authentication purposes.  We develop collection concepts and provide curatorial services to contextualize all works in a collection.  

COLLECTION MANAGEMENT

We prepare inventories of collections and provide archival and cataloguing services.  In addition, we prepare condition reports and work closely with conservators should the condition of a work require a more detailed assessment.  Together with leading art shippers, we organize the storage and transport of works.  We review loan requests, prepare loan agreements, and monitor the loan until the work is returned safely.