Use cases
ART-BACKED LOAN RISK ASSESSMENT
A major bank contacted us when one of its clients, based in New York, intended to use a collection of
conceptual art as collateral for a substantial loan. The client provided expert reports, authenticity
certificates, and an appraisal signed by a leading international auction house. The auction estimate
exceeded the pledged amount by nearly three times. On the surface, the transaction looked legitimate and
low-risk, yet the bank decided to conduct an additional verification through our service.
After conducting a provenance investigation and a thorough review of all related documentation, our
analysts confirmed that the artworks were genuine and that the valuation provided by the auction house
was accurate. However, our deeper research revealed a critical risk factor: the provenance records did not
clearly prove that the borrower was the actual legal owner of the works.
While the client had indeed purchased the pieces through legitimate galleries, the acquisitions had been
financed through a loan provided by another major collector. Legally, this meant the artworks belonged to
that financier until the loan was fully repaid. The potential borrower had concealed this fact from the
bank.
Through our New York–based partners, we obtained undisclosed background information confirming
this ownership issue. Based on our findings, we advised the bank against proceeding with the loan and
helped it avoid a highly risky transaction.
SUCCESSFUL SALE OF TWO RARE ARTWORKS FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTION AND PROVENANCE RESEARCH
A private collector approached us with the objective of maximising the sale prices of two rare artworks from his collection at auction. At the outset, a major London auction house we approached expressed reservations concerning the correctness of the work's attribution.
While technical analysis confirmed that the artworks unquestionably belonged to the relevant historical period, questions remained as to authorship—so the attribution required further documentary and contextual support.
We conducted in-depth provenance and attribution research, assembling historical documentation, ownership records, archival references, and comparative contextual evidence. In parallel, specialist technical analysis was carried out by independent external experts, whose findings supported the period classification of the works.
The research materials and conclusions we provided formed the foundation for the auction house’s internal review and were subsequently used by its specialists in preparing the catalogue entries. On the basis of this combined evidence, both lots were accepted for inclusion in the auction house’s prestigious evening sale.
In addition, we participated in the valuation process required by an insurance company to insure the artworks for transport to London, supporting accurate valuation and appropriate coverage.
Our evidence-based approach to provenance and attribution played a decisive role in securing institutional acceptance. Ultimately, both lots sold successfully, achieving results consistent with the collector’s objectives.