Connoisseurship Studies
in Fine and Decorative Arts 

Though we do not know when the first rugs and carpets were made, without a doubt they existed before the pyramids of Egypt or the palaces of Babylon had risen from the plains. Among the rock-cut tombs of Beni-Hassan in Egypt that date from 2500 B.C., are pictures of men with spindles, of looms and weavers. On carved walls of the palaces of Nineveh, where the rulers of Assyria lived over three thousand years ago, are elaborate drawings indicating that carpets of remarkable workmanship were in use. In the Old Testament are frequent references to woven fabrics. In this introductory course you will examine the chronological historical development of carpets and rugs, and gain basic identification skills of handmade Oriental/Persian carpets along social and ethnic lines. Appropriate for the beginning or intermediate appraiser or connoisseur who seek basic skills in identifying condition, materials, construction, attributions and provenance of antique and modern carpets.

Whether a personal property appraiser, a silver collector, an antique collector, or an aficionado of antique sales, auctions, estate or garage sales, gain a basic ability to recognize sterling silver, silver plate, European silver, coin silver, Vermeil and Paktong. You'll discover how to identify silver marks and spot high-value collectible silver objects. This experiential course will include the chance to handle sterling silver, silver plate, pure silver, nickel silver and more. You'll explore methods of silver manufacture and drawing upon your sense of touch and smell identify various types and pieces. Discover techniques to quickly identify an English, Continental or an American piece of silver. Discern how the hallmark systems tells you when, where, by whom and what kind of metals makes up a silver piece. Identify the history, period, theme, styles and price of silver and how this relates to silver's role in the economy and social environment.

California has a dynamic and independent history in the visual arts and design, and an educated and growing collector base for personal property that is specifically Californian. This course will survey the art and design of the Golden State. Topics will include the arts of indigenous Californians, the Spanish Colonial period, Mission Revival, Arts and Crafts, and Mid-Century Modern design styles, 19th and 20th century painting and photography, and current trends. This course will be rich in resource material, giving students current information on galleries, auctions houses and bibliographic and Internet sources helpful in the identification, research and valuation of California art and design.

Review 18th and 19th centuries American and European furniture with direct comparisons to the later reproductions found in today's marketplace. Develop deductive reasoning skills to date and identify furniture and possible fakes/forgeries. Discuss the age, country of origin, variations in materials, style, craftsman's techniques and tools. Focus on wood identification, dating method, construction techniques, hardware, and current guidelines for conservation and restoration procedures.

Both collectors and appraisers require their own personal toolkit to identify the different forms, constructions techniques and materials of antiques, fine and decorative arts. It's imperative to know what tools to use, how to use them and what to look for in the identification of fakes, counterfeits, repairs and reproductions. Gain practice and confidence in the secret diagnostics of genuine and counterfeit objects, explore non-destructive tests, and recognize the construction and materials in proper identification of objects. Test your newly acquired skills with hands on sample objects including glass, paper, metal, currency, prints, gemstones and paintings.

How do you describe a Jackson Pollock painting? How do you measure a Frederic Remington bronze sculpture? How do you identify aquatints, etchings, engravings, lithographs, and giclées? This course introduces you to the process of inspecting and describing paintings, sculpture, and works on paper for fine art appraisal assignments, gallery, insurance schedule, personal collections and other commercial applications. Focusing on in-class assignments, working individually and in groups, to acquire the skills necessary to quickly, correctly and efficiently inspect and describe fine art that adhere to the Object ID criteria and conform to current ASA and USPAP standards.

Since the beginning of history, human beings have used visual images to communicate and to much of this imagery is unique to certain regions and cultures of the world, but many cultures share prototypical examples, though their meaning may change depending upon chronology and geography. The class will explore signs and symbols from a global perspective, and will be organized around five broad categories: the cosmos, geometric forms, animals, plants and the human body. We will study how imagery from these categories manifests itself in ancient Egypt and the Near East, Greece and Rome, pre-historic Mesoamerica, Hindu and Buddhist India, China and Japan; medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Classical Europe and New World; and in modern and contemporary art. This class will be very useful for those interested in a cross cultural approach to visual studies, personal property appraisers, art and antique collectors, interior designers, and anyone wishing to deepen their appreciation of the rich vocabulary of art, architecture and design.

Review the day-to-day practical business of being an appraiser. Discuss the legal aspects an in-depth look at how to select the right type of corporation or business entity to develop, learn about sole proprietorship, general and limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. Review how to limit an appraiser's exposure to liability, how to be an independent contractor, historical/current legal liability issues, ramifications and benefits of various structures, employment issues, and the hiring of employees and independent contractors.