COULD YOUR PAINTING OR SCULPTURE BE BY OSKAR SCHLEMMER?

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

We have specialized in the authentication of works attributed to Oskar Schlemmer 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 an Oskar Schlemmer?

From a single photograph of ordinary quality, we can often determine whether a work appears consistent with Oskar Schlemmer’s work or whether it clearly does not. A definitive opinion may require closer examination of the medium, materials, technique, markings, and provenance.

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 Oskar Schlemmer today?

Yes. Schlemmer produced paintings, drawings, sculptures, murals, and stage-related works, and works from private collections can remain undocumented or unidentified for decades.

Do I need to get my Oskar Schlemmer 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 an Oskar Schlemmer authenticated?

Not for you. Simply send us photographs from appropriate angles, close-ups of important details and markings, the dimensions, and anything you know about the work’s history. For paintings and works on paper, photographs of both sides can be particularly useful; for sculpture, photographs from several angles and of the base, surface, inscriptions, and other marks are important.

How long does it take to authenticate an Oskar Schlemmer?

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 an Oskar Schlemmer?

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 an Oskar Schlemmer painting or sculpture is authentic?

No. A signature or inscription must be considered alongside the work’s materials, technique, dimensions, condition, provenance, and other physical and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Oskar Schlemmer painting still be authentic?

Yes. The absence of a signature does not by itself exclude authenticity. Paintings and drawings attributed to Schlemmer should be evaluated through their overall physical, stylistic, technical, and documentary evidence.

Can an unsigned Oskar Schlemmer sculpture still be authentic?

Yes. Sculpture requires particular attention to material, construction or casting characteristics, dimensions, surface, inscriptions, and any relevant casting or production evidence; the absence of a visible signature alone is not conclusive.

What documents help authenticate an Oskar Schlemmer painting or sculpture?

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, and family papers can all contribute valuable evidence.

Can an Oskar Schlemmer painting or sculpture be authenticated from photographs?

Yes. High-quality photography is an extremely useful authentication tool and allows us to study 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 an Oskar Schlemmer?

No. Many works 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 the age or composition of materials.

What if my Oskar Schlemmer has no provenance?

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

Do you issue Certificates of Authenticity for Oskar Schlemmer 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 Oskar Schlemmer painting worth?

We will appraise your painting and determine its value. Principal factors include period, medium, subject, dimensions, condition, provenance, rarity, and current market demand.

SELLING

Can you sell my Oskar Schlemmer 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 Oskar Schlemmer?

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 Oskar Schlemmer?

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 Oskar Schlemmer?

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 Oskar Schlemmer before selling it?

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

How long does it take to sell an Oskar Schlemmer?

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 an Oskar Schlemmer?

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

Can you review an Oskar Schlemmer 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 an Oskar Schlemmer?

Three fundamental questions should always be answered: Is it authentic? What is its condition? Is the price reasonable? For a Schlemmer painting or sculpture, the work’s period, provenance, physical characteristics, and market comparables may also be important.

How can I avoid buying a fake Oskar Schlemmer?

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 OSKAR SCHLEMMER 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 Oskar Schlemmer, 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.