Condition reports for antiques and collectibles

A condition report records an object’s state at a particular time. It may describe wear, damage, missing parts and previous interventions. It is different from a valuation and should not be mistaken for a guarantee that every hidden defect has been found.

Describe what was actually examined

Collections Trust’s museum guidance recommends identifying the object and recording the date, examiner, method and purpose. Photographs and, where useful, diagrams can locate an issue. State limitations, such as an underside that could not be examined. Begin with a clearly identified object.

Practical example: “Small chip at the rim, shown in photograph 3” is more precise than “good used condition”. This example does not describe an actual item for sale. Do not claim a watch works or a repair is professionally executed merely because the exterior looks intact.

Checking after movement

Collections Trust gives a museum example comparing condition before packing, after unpacking and before return. The practical lesson is to compare dated descriptions and images rather than rely only on a general condition label.

For a financial assessment, disclose known damage when arranging a valuation. Keep the report with the ownership records. Method sources: Collections Trust on condition checking and checks around packing and return.