COULD YOUR ENCONCHADO BE BY MIGUEL GONZÁLEZ?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Miguel González may be rare, every work deserves to be evaluated on its own merits rather than dismissed simply because it is unfamiliar or undocumented.

If you believe your enconchado painting may be by Miguel González, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Miguel González since 2002. We issue Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals, valuations, provenance reports, and provide buying, selling, brokerage, and investment advisory services for collectors, attorneys, insurers, financial institutions, estates, museums, and private clients worldwide.

Getting started is straightforward. Simply send us photographs of the front, reverse, edges, surface, mother-of-pearl decoration, inscriptions and any labels or markings, together with the dimensions and any information you have regarding the work’s history or ownership. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Miguel González?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with González’s production or whether it clearly does not. His best-known works are enconchados combining painting with inlaid mother-of-pearl, so their layered materials and construction require particularly careful examination.

What services do you provide?

We provide authentication, certification, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), Authentication Reports, appraisals and valuations, provenance research, private sales and brokerage, investment advice, and analytical art market research.

Is it possible to discover a previously unknown Miguel González today?

Yes. González produced enconchados individually and in larger narrative series, and surviving works may remain unidentified or incompletely documented in private collections. Research has also suggested that some anonymous surviving enconchados may be attributable to González workshop production.

Do I need to get my Miguel González authenticated?

Yes. Authentication is essential if you wish to sell your work for its full market value. It is also important for insurance, estate planning, charitable donations, financing, and many legal purposes.

Is it complicated to get a Miguel González authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us clear photographs from several useful angles, including the painted surface, mother-of-pearl elements, edges, reverse, inscriptions, labels and construction details, together with the dimensions and anything you know about the work’s history. The investigation itself is our responsibility.

How long does it take to authenticate a Miguel González?

It depends on how much is already known about the work when we begin the investigation. In the simplest cases, authenticity can be confirmed within a couple of weeks. More complex cases may require several months.

How much does it cost to authenticate a Miguel González?

From the low hundreds to the high thousands. It depends on how much is already known and documented, where relevant archives are located, and whether travel or scientific testing is required.

Can a signature alone prove that a Miguel González enconchado is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the panel construction, canvas, ground, pigments, glazes, mother-of-pearl inlay, technique, provenance, and other evidence. Signed and dated works provide valuable comparisons, but a signature alone is never conclusive.

Can an unsigned Miguel González enconchado still be authentic?

Yes. An unsigned enconchado should not automatically be dismissed, particularly because numerous anonymous examples from the period survive. Attribution depends on the complete material, technical, stylistic, and documentary evidence.

What documents help authenticate a Miguel González enconchado?

Any document that mentions, describes, illustrates, or refers to the work may assist the authentication. Photographs, invoices, correspondence, exhibition records, conservation reports, insurance documents, auction records, inventories, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can a Miguel González enconchado be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography allows us to examine composition, surface, mother-of-pearl placement, inscriptions, construction, condition, and other important characteristics remotely. When additional evidence is required, we may recommend an in-person examination. We examine works worldwide.

Is it always necessary to perform scientific analyses of a Miguel González?

No. Many works can first be investigated through provenance research, comparative study, photography, and technical examination. In difficult enconchado cases, microscopy, infrared imaging, X-radiography, XRF, and material analysis can provide valuable information about pigments, shell, grounds, and construction.

What if my Miguel González has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on comparative research, construction and material analysis, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Miguel González works?

Yes. Upon completion of the authentication, we issue a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) together with a detailed and fully referenced Authentication Report.

APPRAISALS & VALUATIONS

How much is my Miguel González enconchado worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Important factors include subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, quality, rarity, whether the work belongs to or relates to a known series, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Miguel González for me?

Yes. We specialize in private sales but use every appropriate selling method to obtain the highest possible net price. We manage the process professionally, confidentially, and on your behalf.

Do I need an appraisal before selling my Miguel González?

Yes. Your work should be priced correctly for the country, market, and method of sale. An independent appraisal helps prevent both underpricing and overpricing.

Do I need authentication before selling my Miguel González?

Yes. Without authentication, your work may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Miguel González?

Yes. Authentication, provenance, valuation, timing, presentation, and the chosen sales method can all influence the final result. We also provide collection management advice designed to maximize value.

Should I restore my Miguel González before selling it?

Usually not. Enconchados combine multiple sensitive materials, including painted layers and mother-of-pearl, making inappropriate intervention potentially damaging. We generally recommend selling the work in its present condition unless there is a compelling conservation reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Miguel González?

Higher-value works generally require more time to sell because there are fewer qualified buyers. Correct pricing, strong documentation, and the appropriate sales method all contribute to a successful sale.

BUYING & ADVISORY

Should I buy a Miguel González?

If you enjoy González’s work, certainly. If your primary objective is investment, we can evaluate the proposed acquisition and alternative opportunities.

Can you review a Miguel González before I buy it?

Yes. We provide independent pre-purchase research and analysis for collectors and investors. We also prepare predictive art market forecasts and Buy-Hold-Sell recommendations.

What should I check before buying a Miguel González?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For an enconchado, construction, mother-of-pearl inlay, painted layers, condition, provenance, inscriptions, and relationship to documented González works are particularly important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Miguel González?

Call us before you buy. An independent review before completing the purchase is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of acquiring a forged or misattributed work.

Can you advise me on building a collection?

Yes. We advise collectors on the financial aspects of acquisition, ownership, collection management, and eventual sale.

REQUEST A MIGUEL GONZÁLEZ AUTHENTICATION OR APPRAISAL

Whether you require authentication, a Certificate of Authenticity, an appraisal, valuation, provenance research, buying advice, selling assistance, brokerage, or investment guidance regarding a work attributed to Miguel González, our specialists are available to assist.

Complete the contact form below or call us at +1 (212) 658-0466 to discuss your work with one of our experts.