General Decorative Arts Valuer

The role

This person will provide formal, evidence-based valuations for Decorative Arts categories including British and Continental Furniture, Rugs and Carpets, Sculpture, and Clocks. Work involves on-site visits, desktop updates, cataloguing, and provenance research.

What you will do

• Providing formal valuations for sale, insurance, taxation, family division, loan collateral, and estate planning
• Locating, cataloguing, and photographing items on-site
• Submitting accurate and detailed cataloguing and evidence-based estimates
• Assisting with valuations across the UK and Europe with extensive travel
• Offering service to clients and professional advisors in line with corporate standards
• Maintaining discretion, integrity, and client confidentiality
• Working as part of a team alongside valuation managers and production staff
• Liaising with specialist departments and external consultants
• Carrying out office-based work such as provenance research and proof-reading
• Understanding and adhering to legal and compliance requirements like Ivory, CITES, and AML

Required qualifications

• Educated to graduate standard
• 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
• Awareness of the broader market at both regional and international level
• Full, clean driving licence
• Good IT and photography skills, along with basic Excel
• Strong communication skills
• Organised and methodical approach to work
• Fluency in English

Nice to have

• Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or a related professional body
• Knowledge in additional areas such as Modern Design, Asian, Indian and Islamic Decorative Arts, Silver, Collectibles, etc.
• Understanding the UK taxation system within the context of chattels valuations
• Proficiency in another European language

About the company

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail.