Sarah Reeder, AAA, ISA CAPP, Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts

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Contact

Sarah Reeder
ISA member since Sep 29, 2015

Address #1
P.O. Box 222
Fairfax Station, VA 22039 map

Address #2
513 E Main Street
Box 1672

Charlottesville, VA 22902 map

Send an email


About

Sarah Reeder, AAA, ISA CAPP is the owner of Artifactual History® Appraisal and a graduate of New York University's Program in Appraisal Studies in Fine & Decorative Arts.  

In addition to Certified Membership in the International Society of Appraisers with a Private Client Services designation for working with high-net-worth individuals, she is also a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA).  Sarah received her master's and undergraduate degrees from the College of William & Mary, where she also completed the Program in Museum Studies, Material Culture, and Early American History from the National Institute of American History and Democracy.   

Her firm Artifactual History® Appraisal prepares appraisal reports of fine art, antiques, furniture, silver, and other decorative arts for insurance, estate, family distribution, and a variety of other uses.  Appraisal services include insurance appraisal reports, estate appraisal reports, and appraisal reports for equitable distribution among siblings or other family members.  Clients include private collectors, corporations, institutions, embassies, and members of the diplomatic and military communities.

Sarah's previous professional experience includes positions at the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, as well as positions as a subject specialist at auction houses. 

Sarah is a generalist appraiser with years of experience working with fine art, silver, furniture, ceramics, antiques and decorative arts.  She is a specialist and scholar in Mid-Century Modern and 20th Century Design and author of the book Ray Eames in 1930s New York.  Sarah is also a member of the TOAD archive team.  TOAD archive is a privately curated digital archive that explores historical textiles, objects, and documents from the midcentury period.  

Sarah is Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant through February 23, 2026.

She also is Co-Editor of Worthwhile Magazine, an online magazine about art, collecting, and appraising accessible to the general public and professionals alike.  Sarah regularly contributes new scholarship to the magazine to enhance access to information about the appraisal field and empower consumers of appraisal services.  

Sarah is the creator of the online course SILVER 101: Quickly Learn How to Identify Your Sterling Silver and Silverplate to Find the Valuable Pieces and Sort with Empowered Confidence.  Additional information about the SILVER 101 course and enrollment access are available here.

Sarah offers in-person appraisal services within her physical service area. She also welcomes appraisal assignments working remotely from photographs and offers video and phone consultations customized to your specific needs.

Sarah can be reached directly at info@afhappraisal.com.

Please note that Artifactual History® Appraisal is unable to perform on-site appointments when mold or similar environmental conditions are present. 

Artifactual History® Appraisal is an inclusive business with a core value of creating a safe and welcoming experience for all clients.

Click here to watch Sarah Reeder's appearance about appraising on The Probate Nation television program.

Silver 101



 
Artifactual History Appraisal Featured On Redfin

 
TESTIMONIALS:
 
"Whoever came up with the phrase 'above and beyond' had you in mind.  I can't thank you enough for your time and efforts, and your information and insights.   I will surely use the information as I move forward.  Thanks again."

-Private Collector


"I'm speechless!  Your appraisal report is fantastic!  I knew it would be, but it far exceeded my expectations!"
 
-Insurance appraisal report for a Contemporary Art collector


"Thank you Sarah!  This is a very professional well done appraisal."
 
-Insurance appraisal client, Virginia


"Sarah Reeder was a pleasure to work with.  Originally, we hired her to create an Insurance Appraisal of inherited antique furniture.  Not only did she provide an in-depth and thorough appraisal, she found some fascinating stories behind our antiques and gave us a better personal appreciation for family heirlooms.
  
Sarah's report provided her background and qualifications, a detailed explanation of her work, and a thorough explanation of all the items she studied.  She listed the origins, medium, style, dimensions, time period, condition, and provenance of each piece. She took great photos of each item, with photos highlighting details.  She also provided an appraised value of each item.
 
The report also included very specific information that involved many hours of research on Sarah's part.  We were particularly thrilled to learn that she was able to identify the family our painted blanket chest was created for, as well as the county the family lived in.  Not only that, but she found reference in a book stating that two of these chests were painted for the particular family.  The book showed a picture of a chest identical to ours, but with a different family member's name.  We had no idea our piece was so unique.
 
It was a joy to inspect each item with Sarah.  She noticed details in craftsmanship we had not noticed after living with them for years.  She took the time to ask about the sentimental value and story behind each family piece.  We now love and appreciate our family heirlooms even more."
 
S W,
 
Charlottesville, VA
 
 
"It was my great fortune to hire Sarah Reeder to appraise an artifact prior to a move this past summer.  I found Ms. Reeder through the Appraisers Association of America website listing of accredited appraisers.  From my first phone call with her, it was obvious that she is passionate about her work and extremely professional.  Ms. Reeder visited my home to evaluate the item and provided me with a comprehensive report that included a thorough description and photos of the artifact, detailed information about its history and historical significance, and a description of all the experts she contacted and other sources used to appraise its value.

Based on her findings, I decided that my best option was to loan the item to an interested museum.  At this point, Ms. Reeder became invaluable to me, offering to reach out to appropriate museums on my behalf.  Her combination of industry knowledge and personal contacts resulted in the identification of two potential museums and her on-going advice was spot-on in terms of what to consider in making my decision.  I am thrilled with the outcome and convinced this never would have happened without her support and expertise.  Sarah Reeder has my highest recommendation.  If you have an antique or other artifact you need appraised, she is THE person to call!"

R. N.
McLean, Virginia
 

"We hired Sarah Reeder, owner of Artifactual History Appraisal, for estate appraisals and to appraise a family historical heirloom.  Sarah's passion for her profession, and due diligence in research and preparing the final appraisal report far exceeded our expectations.  She included numerous photos, a fully researched written appraisal, economic data pursuant to the silver antiques market and much more.  We highly recommend Ms. Reeder for your appraisal needs.  She is the ultimate professional and is superbly qualified by experience and by her academic credentials."

K-Alexandria, Virginia

 
MEMBERSHIPS:

Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers, Private Client Services designation

Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America


Phi Beta Kappa Member
 
PUBLICATIONS:
 
 
 

"Rediscovering a Lost Treasure:  Frances Benjamin Johnston's Carnegie Survey," Uncommon Sense, No. 124, 2007 
 
EDUCATION:

Master of Arts, The College of William & Mary

Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine & Decorative Arts, New York University

Bachelor of Arts, The College of William & Mary, Phi Beta Kappa 

Certificate in Museum Studies, Material Culture, and Early American History, National Institute of American History & Democracy 


SELECTED COURSES AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
:
 

AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY:

“18th and 19th-Century Furniture:  Materials, Construction, and Use”

“American Furniture Styles 1700-2000”

“IRS Legal Guidelines in Valuation of Fine and Decorative Arts”

“Research Methods for Appraisers”

“The Heart of the Matter:  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising”

“Essentials of Appraising”

“Appraisal Writing Workshop”

“Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)”

“Appraising Silver”

“Appraising Fine and Rare Wine”

“Appraisal of American Folk Art”

“The Appraisal of Old Master European and Early American Prints”  

AT THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY:

“Archaeological Material Culture,” a field school seminar in ceramics taught by the Curator of Archaeology at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation utilizing the institution’s ceramic collections

“Vernacular Architecture,” taught by the Senior Architectural Historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Decorative Arts”

“19th-Century Art”

“20th-Century American Art”

“The Museum in the U.S.”

“Public History”

“Art, Politics, and American Culture”

“History of Fashion”

CONTINUING EDUCATION: 

"Brutalism:  Overview and Current Market," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Alexander Girard:  Celebrating Life Through Design," MillerKnoll, 2024.

"USPAP 7-Hour Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"USPAP Roundtable," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Collection Protection: Damage and Loss - Wine," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Georg Jensen: Defined by Design," Appraisers Association of America, 2024.

"Of Value: 2023 Annual Conference," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"Florence Knoll: Defining Modern," MillerKnoll, 2023.

"ArtTactic Market Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"Working with Family Offices," Appraisers Association of America," 2023.

"State of the Fake: Luxury Edition," Appraisers Association of America, 2023.

"Hallmarks: Decoding England's Secret Language of Silver," New York Adventure Club," 2023.

"Uncovering New York Historical Society's Tiffany Lamp Collection," New York Adventure Club, 2023.

"Ukrainian Cultural Heritage: What’s Damaged; Destroyed; Documented; and Being Done," International Foundation for Art Research, 2022.

"Marketplace and Emerging Trends for Two Dimensional Art," International Society of Appraisers, 2022.

"Louis Vuitton Mini-Course," Authentication Institute of America, 2022.

"Inside Look:  Man Ray's Le Violon d'Ingres 1924," Christie's Education, 2022.

"ArtDiscovery:  Using Scientific Analysis for Authentication," Appraisers Association of America, 2022.

"Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice 7-Hour Update," International Society of Appraisers, 2022.

"Contemporary Art + The Design Object," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Mid-Century Modern Design," Appraisers Association of America, 2021.

"Mid-Mod in the Middle," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"The History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities' Art Museums," Appraisers Association of America, 2021.

"M.C. Escher:  Prints, Drawings, Watercolors and Textiles," Curator David Steel speaking at the Bruce Silverstein Gallery, 2021.
 
"Luxury Handbags," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Blanket or Rug:  A Primer for Navajo Textiles," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Strategies for Appraising Chinese Art," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Jewelry Through the Ages," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Jewelry Settings From the 18th to the 21st Centuries:  A Visual Analysis," International Society of Appraisers, 2021.

"Working with Insurance Companies," Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

"British Furniture and Decorative Arts," Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

"Introduction to Appraising Rugs," International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

"Jewelry Essentials," Gemological Institute of America, 2020.

"Colored Stone Essentials," Gemological Institute of America, 2020.

"Diamond Essentials," Gemological Institute of America, 2020.

"Appraising Stamps and Coins," International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

"Appraising Oriental Rugs and Carpets," Appraisers Association of America, 2020.

"Book Appraisal Methodology," International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

"Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 7-Hour Update Course," International Society of Appraisers, 2020.

"Foundation for Appraisal Education Annual Seminar," Foundation for Appraisal Education, 2018

"Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 7-Hour Update," Appraisers Association of America, 2018

Appraising in the World of High-Net-Worth Individuals," International Society of Appraisers, 2018

"Antiques, Furnishings, & Decorative Arts," International Society of Appraisers, 2016

“Appraisal of Modern and Contemporary Prints,” New York University, 2016

“Elements of a Correctly Prepared Appraisal,” Appraisers Association of America, 2016

“Theory & Methodology,” Appraisers Association of America, 2016

“Core Course in Appraisal Studies,” International Society of Appraisers, 2015
 

SERVICE AREAS:

Artifactual History® Appraisal serves clients in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Metro region.   Service areas in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC include Aldie, Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Bethesda, Burke, Cleveland Park, Centreville, Chevy Chase, Clifton, Crystal City, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Fair Lakes, Falls Church, Georgetown, Great Falls, Herndon, Leesburg, Lorton, Loudon County, Manassas, Marshall, McLean, Oakton, Occoquan, Potomac, Reston, Springfield, Sterling, Tysons Corner, Vienna, and Woodbridge.  

Specialties

  • Ceramics
  • Decorative Arts & Accessories
  • Furniture
  • Furniture - 20th Century
  • Silver

Services

  • Consultant
  • Donations
  • Equitable Distribution
  • Estate Evaluations
  • Insurance Claims

Performs Appraisals Of

  • Art
  • Art - 20th Century
  • Decorative Arts & Accessories
  • Furniture
  • Silver

Website


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