General Decorative Arts Valuer

Sotheby's; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s London Valuations department seeks a knowledgeable Valuer for a 12‑month temporary assignment. You will provide formal valuations across 15th–20th century Decorative Arts, including furniture, rugs, sculpture and clocks, on-site or desktop, with travel across the UK and Europe.

Educated to graduate standard, with 5+ years' international valuation experience and familiarity with relevant tax and compliance issues.

Qualifications

• Educated to graduate standard
• 5+ years’ experience valuing chattels at international auction house or related art business
• Proven cataloguing and valuing British and Continental Furniture, Rugs and Carpets, Sculpture, and Clocks
• RICS membership desirable
• Knowledge of UK taxation system for chattels valuations desirable
• Willingness to travel internationally

Responsibilities

• Provide formal valuations for sale, insurance, taxation, family division, loan collateral, and estate planning based on on-site visits or desktop updates
• Locating, cataloguing, and photographing items while on-site with attention to detail
• Submitting accurate cataloguing with reliable, evidence-based estimates
• Assisting valuations across the UK and Europe, willing to travel extensively
• Offer a thorough service to clients and advisors, acting as an ambassador for Sotheby’s
• Maintain discretion, integrity and client confidentiality
• Collaborate with valuation managers and production staff on-site and in the office
• Liaise with Sotheby’s specialist departments and external consultants for cataloguing and values
• Proven provenance research, footnotes, proofreading as needed, ad hoc valuation enquiries
• Understand and adhere to legal/compliance requirements (Ivory, CITES, AML)
• Maintain an up-to-date calendar and support sales when required
• Manage expense claims promptly

Skills

Driving licence

IT skills

Photography

Excel

Communication

English fluent

Education

Graduate standard

Tools

Excel

Job description

About Sotheby's Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

THE ROLE

To provide formal, evidence-based valuations of all Decorative Arts categories (15th – 20th Century) including, but not limited to, British and Continental Furniture, Rugs and Carpets, Sculpture, and Clocks on behalf of Sotheby’s London Valuations department. Knowledge in additional areas such as Modern Design, Asian, Indian and Islamic Decorative Arts, Silver, Collectibles, etc. desirable.

This is a Temporary position with a 12-month commitment with the view to be extended.

Responsibilities

• Providing formal valuations for sale, insurance, taxation, family division, loan collateral, and estate planning purposes based either on on‑site visits or desktop updates
• Locating, cataloguing, and photographing items whilst on‑site demonstrating exceptional attention to detail
• Submitting accurate and detailed cataloguing in a timely and efficient manner along with reliable, evidence‑based estimates
• Assisting with valuations across the UK and Europe, being prepared to travel extensively, occasionally at short notice
• Offering a thorough and excellent service to a wide range of clients and their professional advisors in line with corporate standards, acting as an ambassador for Sotheby’s in both manner and appearance
• Maintaining the highest standards of discretion, integrity, and trustworthiness, always respecting complete client confidentiality
• Working as part of a team alongside valuation managers and production staff both on‑site and in the office
• Liaising and communicating clearly with Sotheby’s specialist departments and external consultants when appropriate to check cataloguing and values
• Carrying out office‑based work such as provenance research, composing footnotes (when appropriate), proof‑reading and correcting documents, and handling ad hoc general valuation enquiries when required
• Understanding and adhering to all legal and compliance requirements particular to the industry i.e. Ivory, CITES, AML etc.
• Understanding the risk inherent in valuation work, being responsible and accountable for all work submitted
• Maintaining an accurate and up to date calendar at all times
• Supporting sales and business‑getting when required
• Managing expense claims in a timely manner

Experience & Qualifications Required

• Educated to graduate standard
• Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or a related professional body desirable
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience valuing chattels at an international auction house, specialist valuation service, or related art business
• Proven practical experience of cataloguing and valuing British and Continental Furniture, Rugs and Carpets, Sculpture, and Clocks
• Knowledge in additional areas such as Modern Design, Asian, Indian and Islamic Decorative Arts, Silver, Collectibles, etc. advantageous
• Awareness of the broader market at both regional and international level
• Understanding the UK taxation system within the context of chattels valuations i.e. IHT, CGT, Acceptance in Lieu scheme, conditional exemption claims, rental negotiations, and retrospective valuations desirable

Skills Required

• Full, clean driving licence
• Good IT and photography skills, along with basic Excel
• Strong communication skills along with an organised and methodical approach to work
• Fluency in English, proficiency in another European language advantageous

Competencies

• Self‑motivated and able to work effectively alone using own initiative, as well working as part of a larger team taking direction
• Holding a flexible approach to working hours and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally when required
• Ability to work under pressure, coordinate a busy schedule, and prioritise workload all whilst meeting tight deadlines

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.