Appraising Outliers Four Rare Portraits by Gilbert Stuart

Throughout the Himalayas, the vast mountain range spanning India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, lies a vibrant artistic tradition: the creation of thangkas. Tibetan Buddhist paintings in particular are more than just decorative pieces, but represent windows into the soul of Vajrayana Buddhism. Thangkas, traditionally made on cotton or silk, are intricate and colorful depictions of deities, scenes from Buddhist stories, or the sacred diagrams known as mandalas.

In anticipation of Dr Chih-En Chen’s upcoming lecture Trompe l’Oeil in Qing Times and Today at this year’s ISA conference, Asian art specialist Ashley Crawford (MA, ISA AM) sat down with Dr Chen to learn more about Montreal’s Asian art market.

The Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees voted to name Kelly Davids as President of The Appraisal Foundation. 

The world of fine wines is a realm where craftsmanship, terroir, and history converge to create liquid masterpieces. Wine, often referred to as the nectar of the gods, has long been revered for its complexity, flavor profiles, and the unique stories encapsulated in each bottle. Some wines, however, transcend the ordinary, commanding astronomical prices at auctions and appraisals. In this blog, we explore the world of luxury wines, unveiling the top 5 most expensively appraised wines that have become symbols of prestige and exclusivity in the world of oenophiles.