COULD YOUR ARTWORK BE BY SIR PETER LELY?

Previously unknown works by important artists continue to emerge from private collections, estates, inheritances, and long-held family possessions. While authentic works by Sir Peter Lely 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 painting or drawing may be by Sir Peter Lely, obtaining an independent professional opinion is the appropriate first step.

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Sir Peter Lely 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 work together with its dimensions and any information you have regarding its history or ownership. After reviewing the material, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action.

AUTHENTICATION

Is this a Sir Peter Lely?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Sir Peter Lely’s work or whether it clearly does not. His extensive studio practice and the existence of replicas and workshop versions mean that distinguishing Lely’s own hand from studio participation can require 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 Sir Peter Lely today?

Yes. Lely operated a large portrait studio and produced paintings and numerous preparatory drawings; works connected with his practice can still emerge from old private collections and estates. Surviving studies also document his working process in considerable detail.

Do I need to get my Sir Peter Lely 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 Sir Peter Lely authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us clear photographs of the front and reverse, close-ups of the face, hands, costume, signature, inscriptions, labels and other important details, 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 Sir Peter Lely?

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 Sir Peter Lely?

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 Sir Peter Lely painting is authentic?

No. A signature must be evaluated together with the composition, paint handling, materials, support, age, provenance, and evidence of studio participation. With Lely, determining whether a portrait is autograph, substantially autograph, studio-assisted, or a workshop version can be particularly important.

Can an unsigned Sir Peter Lely painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself make a Lely painting inauthentic. Many seventeenth-century portraits require attribution through technique, materials, provenance, comparison, and assessment of the respective contributions of master and workshop.

What documents help authenticate a Sir Peter Lely painting?

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

Can a Sir Peter Lely painting be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study facial modeling, paint application, costume, hands, surface, support, inscriptions, and condition 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 Sir Peter Lely?

No. Many paintings can be authenticated through research, provenance investigation, comparative analysis, and technical examination. Scientific testing is generally reserved for more difficult cases when questions remain concerning pigments, ground layers, canvas, paint structure, or later alterations.

What if my Sir Peter Lely has no provenance?

Incomplete provenance is common, particularly with works that have remained in families for generations. When provenance is incomplete, authentication relies more heavily on comparative research, technical examination, photography, and, where appropriate, scientific testing.

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Sir Peter Lely 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 Sir Peter Lely painting worth?

We will appraise your work and determine its value. Attribution, sitter identity, degree of studio participation, quality, dimensions, condition, provenance, period, and current market demand are particularly important valuation factors.

SELLING

Can you sell my Sir Peter Lely 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 Sir Peter Lely?

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 Sir Peter Lely?

Yes. Without authentication, your work may sell for only a fraction of its potential market value. For Lely, the distinction between an autograph painting and a studio or workshop production can have a substantial effect on value.

Can you help me maximize the selling price of my Sir Peter Lely?

Yes. Authentication, attribution, sitter identification, 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 Sir Peter Lely before selling it?

Usually not. Buyers often have their own preferences regarding conservation and restoration. We generally recommend selling the painting in its present condition unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.

How long does it take to sell a Sir Peter Lely?

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 Sir Peter Lely?

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

Can you review a Sir Peter Lely 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 Sir Peter Lely?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? With Lely, the attribution category, sitter identity, provenance, and possible workshop involvement should also be examined carefully because his studio employed assistants extensively.

How can I avoid buying a fake Sir Peter Lely?

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, misattributed, or incorrectly classified 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 SIR PETER LELY 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 Sir Peter Lely, 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.