Platform Overview
Understanding your three valuation types, our AI methodology, and what you receive in every report.
About the Platform
The Galleries Guide was designed with one purpose: to give anyone who owns antiques, art, or collectibles an accurate, professional valuation — without an appointment, without a week-long wait, and without paying hundreds of pounds.
Our AI is trained on millions of UK and international auction results across 50+ specialist categories. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, we understand the nuances that move prices — condition, provenance, maker attribution, period, and regional market demand.
And unlike US-based competitors, our model is built on UK market data — so when you value a piece of Georgian silver or a Staffordshire figurine, you get a figure that reflects what it would actually achieve in the British market.
Key Facts
The Three Valuations
Each valuation type answers a different question. Here is what each one means and when to use it.
An auction estimate tells you what your item is likely to achieve if you put it up for sale at a recognised auction house. We give you both a low estimate and a high estimate — the same format used by Bonhams, Christie's, and Sotheby's when they assess incoming consignments.
The low estimate is the conservative, minimum-expectation figure. The high estimate reflects what the item could achieve if a motivated buyer is in the room. The hammer price typically falls between the two.
Use this if you are considering selling, dividing an estate, or assessing whether an item is worth consigning to auction.
An insurance valuation establishes the replacement value of your item — what it would cost to replace it with one of equivalent quality, age, condition, and provenance at today's market prices. This is the figure your insurer uses to set the sum insured on your policy.
Replacement value is almost always higher than auction value, because it reflects retail or specialist dealer prices rather than what the item would achieve at auction. Under-insuring at the auction value is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes collectors make.
Use this when arranging or renewing home or specialist contents insurance, after inheriting items, or any time you want to confirm you are not under-insured.
A market appraisal gives you the current fair market value of your item — what a knowledgeable buyer would pay a knowledgeable seller in an open transaction today. It sits between auction value and replacement value, and it is the most useful all-round figure for general purposes.
This is the valuation type most people start with: they want to know what they own, with no immediate plans to sell or insure. It is also widely used for estate planning, gift tax assessments, and equitable distribution of assets between family members.
Use this for estate planning, general curiosity, dividing inherited assets, or as a starting point before deciding what to do with a piece.
The Process
Submit clear photographs — multiple angles, including any marks, signatures, labels, or damage. Add any details you know: artist or maker, approximate age, dimensions, where you acquired it. The more information provided, the more precise the valuation.
Our AI classifies the item, analyses condition from photography, extracts attribution and provenance signals, and cross-references millions of auction results and market data points to produce a calibrated valuation for your chosen report type.
Your report arrives by email as a downloadable PDF — clearly structured with your value, methodology, comparables cited, and a confidence score. Ready to share with your insurer, an auction house, a solicitor, or your family.
Our Methodology
A transparent, multi-factor AI approach — not a guess, not a rule of thumb, but a structured valuation process.
AI image and text analysis identifies the item's category, sub-category, likely period, maker, and origin — the foundational layer that determines which market data is relevant.
Visual analysis of submitted photographs identifies condition factors — wear, restoration, damage, originality. Condition is one of the single biggest drivers of value and is assessed carefully on every submission.
Where documentation or contextual information is provided, provenance signals are extracted and weighted. Known maker attribution, exhibition history, or previous collection ownership can significantly affect value.
Each valuation is cross-referenced against recent comparable sales from UK and international auction salerooms, adjusted for condition, provenance, and current market conditions. Comparables are cited in every report.
The final value is calibrated to your chosen report type. Auction estimates use hammer price data; insurance values apply replacement cost methodology; market appraisals use fair market value benchmarks.
Every report includes a confidence score from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate strong comparable data and clear item identification. Lower scores flag where additional information or expert review might improve accuracy.
Questions
How accurate are the valuations?
Our valuations achieve 95%+ accuracy against certified appraiser benchmarks across representative category samples. Accuracy varies by category, item complexity, and quality of submitted imagery and information. Each report includes a confidence score so you know the certainty level of your assessment.
Will my insurer accept the report?
Our insurance valuation reports are structured to be accepted by UK insurers and provide the replacement value figure they require. We recommend sharing the report with your insurer or broker when updating your policy. If your insurer has specific requirements, contact us and we can advise.
What photos do I need to submit?
Clear photographs from multiple angles — including the front, back, base, and any marks, signatures, labels, or damage. Smartphone photos are fine provided they are in focus and well-lit. The system will flag submissions where image quality may affect confidence.
What if I do not know much about the item?
That is fine — our AI can work from photographs alone. Simply describe what you know and our system will handle the identification and classification. The more information you can provide, the better, but you do not need to be an expert.
How long does it take?
Most reports are delivered within 5 minutes of submission. Occasionally, items with limited comparables or unusual characteristics may take a little longer. You will receive your report by email as a downloadable PDF.
Can I get all three valuation types for one item?
Yes — our Full Report (£39) covers all three valuation types for a single item in one comprehensive document. This is the most popular option for people who want a complete picture of what they own.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Your submission data, photographs, and personal information are handled in strict accordance with UK data protection legislation. We do not share or sell your data. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Do you cover items outside the UK?
Yes. We serve customers in the UK, Middle East, and European Union. Our AI is trained on international auction data and can value items of European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and American origin. We are primarily focused on providing UK-market pricing but can advise on international market values on request.