Appraisal Services Terms and Conditions
Last updated: March 2026
Services Offered
AAIA provides three tiers of professional appraisal for Native American art and artifacts, as well as restoration services and purchase/consignment offers:
| Complimentary Appraisal | $20 Online Appraisal | $125 Formal Documented Appraisal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Free — one per household | $20 per item or group (up to 3) | $125 per item or group (up to 3) |
| Items | One (1) item, two (2) photos | Up to 5 items, three (3) photos each | Up to 5 items, three (3) photos each |
| Delivered via | PDF on AAIA letterhead plus Printed and Signed Copy sent via USPS | ||
| Turnaround | Within a few business days | 24–48 hours after payment | 5–7 business days after payment |
| Includes | Authenticity, tribal attribution, age estimate, market value | Authenticity, tribal attribution, age estimate, market value | Full written analysis, photographs, detailed commentary, fair-market valuation |
| Suitable for | Personal knowledge | Personal knowledge, buying/selling decisions | Insurance, estate planning, tax, donations, legal proceedings |
| Exclusions | Stone artifacts, arrowheads, paintings, prints, bronzes, non-Native items | None | None |
1. Complimentary Appraisal
1.1. AAIA offers one (1) complimentary appraisal per household, at AAIA's discretion. No payment is required.
1.2. The complimentary appraisal covers one item only, with up to two (2) photographs.
1.3. The complimentary appraisal includes the same professional assessment as the $20 Online Appraisal: authenticity, tribal attribution, approximate age, and current market value.
1.4. The following item categories are excluded from the complimentary appraisal. For these items, please use our $20 Online Appraisal or $125 Formal Documented Appraisal:
- Stone artifacts and arrowheads
- Paintings, prints, and bronzes
- Items that are not of Native American origin
1.5. Submissions of excluded item categories through the free appraisal form will not be reviewed. AAIA is under no obligation to notify you if your submission falls into an excluded category.
1.6. AAIA reserves the right to withdraw or modify the complimentary appraisal offer at any time without notice.
1.7. The complimentary appraisal is provided on a best-efforts basis. There is no guaranteed turnaround time, though most free appraisals are returned within a few business days. Paid appraisals are prioritised.
1.8. All other terms in this document (submission requirements, scope and limitations, liability, mailing list, etc.) apply equally to the complimentary appraisal unless explicitly stated otherwise.
2. Fees & Payment (Paid Appraisals)
2.1. All paid appraisals require payment before work begins. Your submission is not reviewed until payment has been received and confirmed. Unpaid $20 Online Appraisal submissions will not be answered and will be discarded. If you are looking for a purchase or consignment offer rather than an appraisal, please use the Sell Your Art form under Services.
2.2. Pricing is per valuation, not per photograph. A single item receives one valuation for one fee. A group of up to three (3) similar items photographed together may be valued as a single group for one fee, at AAIA's discretion.
2.3. For the $20 Online Appraisal, you may submit up to five (5) separate items or groups per form. Each item or group (3 items maximum) is charged at $20.
2.4. For the $125 Formal Documented Appraisal, you may submit up to five (5) separate items or groups per form. Each item or group is charged at $125. If you have a larger collection, please contact Matt Wood directly for a quote.
2.5. Payments are processed securely through our online store at the time of submission. You will be directed to complete payment after submitting your appraisal request form.
3. What You Receive
Complimentary Appraisal & $20 Online Appraisal
3.1. An informal, professional opinion delivered by email covering:
- Authenticity — whether the item appears to be a genuine Native American artifact or a reproduction/fake.
- Tribal attribution — the tribe, region, or cultural tradition most likely associated with the item.
- Age estimate — an approximate date or period of manufacture.
- Market value — a current fair-market value estimate based on comparable sales and market conditions.
3.2. The complimentary and online appraisals are intended for personal information purposes. They are not formal documents and may not be accepted by insurers, courts, or government agencies.
$125 Formal Documented Appraisal
3.3. A professional, written appraisal document prepared on AAIA company letterhead, including:
- All elements listed in section 3.1 above.
- Photographs of the item as submitted.
- Detailed written analysis and commentary, including condition notes.
- A stated fair-market valuation suitable for third-party use.
3.4. Formal appraisals are designed to meet the documentation standards typically expected for insurance coverage, estate settlement, charitable donation substantiation, tax deductions, and legal proceedings.
3.5. While AAIA prepares formal appraisals with care and professional diligence, acceptance of any appraisal document is ultimately at the discretion of the receiving institution, insurer, or authority.
4. Fee Policy — Non-Refundable with Exceptions
4.1. Paid appraisal fees are non-refundable. The fee covers the time and expertise required to examine and assess your item, regardless of outcome. To be clear, you are paying for AAIA's professional opinion, regardless of outcome, as it may differ from your own or others' opinions.
4.2. The fee is due whether the item is determined to be:
- An authentic Native American artifact.
- A modern reproduction or fake.
- Of non-Native American origin.
- A natural stone formation that resembles an artifact but is, in fact, a natural object unaltered by human hands (referred to as a pseudomorph).
4.3. For items of non-Native American origin, a market value may or may not be provided at AAIA's discretion, but the fee remains due as the item will be thoroughly examined.
4.4. Refund exception — sale or consignment through AAIA. If you subsequently sell or consign your appraised item through AAIA, your appraisal fee for that item will be refunded in full or credited against the transaction. This applies to paid appraisals only.
5. Submission Requirements
5.1. All appraisals are conducted from photographs. You are responsible for providing clear, well-lit images that accurately represent the item.
5.2. For each item, you should provide:
- Dimensions — height and width, or diameter, as applicable.
- A brief description — materials, markings, signatures, or other identifying features.
- Condition notes — any chips, cracks, repairs, staining, fading, or other damage.
- Provenance — ownership history, if known. Provenance can materially affect value.
5.3. Photo guidelines:
| Complimentary | $20 Online | $125 Formal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos per item | Up to 2 | Up to 3 | Up to 3 |
| Max file size | 20 MB | 20 MB | 20 MB |
| Recommended size | Under 300 KB | Under 300 KB | Under 300 KB |
5.4. Include at least one overall view and one close-up detail shot.
5.5. Incomplete or unclear submissions may result in a less detailed appraisal. AAIA may contact you to request additional photographs if needed.
6. Turnaround Times
6.1. Complimentary Appraisals are provided on a best-efforts basis, typically within a few business days. No specific turnaround is guaranteed.
6.2. $20 Online Appraisals are typically returned within 24–48 hours of payment confirmation.
6.3. $125 Formal Documented Appraisals are typically delivered within 5–7 business days of payment confirmation.
6.4. During periods of high volume, turnaround times may be longer. If a significant delay is expected, AAIA will notify you.
6.5. For paid appraisals, turnaround times are measured from the point at which both your completed submission and payment have been received.
7. Scope & Limitations
7.1. All appraisals are based solely on the photographs and information you provide. AAIA does not physically handle or inspect items unless a separate in-person arrangement has been made.
7.2. Appraisals represent the professional opinion of Matt Wood and AAIA, LLC based on experience, expertise, and current market knowledge. They are not a guarantee of authenticity or value.
7.3. Market values are estimates based on current conditions and comparable sales. Actual sale prices may vary depending on venue, timing, buyer interest, and other factors beyond AAIA's control.
7.4. AAIA reserves the right to decline any appraisal request. For paid appraisals, the fee will be refunded if a request is declined. Reasons for declining may include insufficient submission material, items falling outside AAIA's area of expertise, or any other reason at AAIA's discretion.
8. Items We Appraise
AAIA appraises all categories of Native American art and artifacts, including but not limited to:
- Rugs & blankets — primarily Navajo and Pueblo Indian weavings
- Baskets — basketry from all tribes and regions of North America
- Pueblo pottery — jars, ollas, bowls, plates, tiles, storyteller dolls, figurines
- Jewelry — contemporary and old pawn/estate, handmade, signed and unsigned
- Kachina dolls — Hopi Indian kachina (katsina) figures
- Fetishes — Zuni Pueblo carvings, animal and human figures
- Fine art — paintings, drawings, photography, bronzes, sculptures, lithographs
- Beadwork — vests, pouches, bags, knife sheaths, bandolier bags, parfleches
- Stone artifacts — arrowheads, celts, axes, knives, blades, points, weights
- Other artifacts — weapons, clubs, pipes, ceremonial regalia
Reminder: Stone artifacts, arrowheads, paintings, prints, bronzes, and non-Native American items are excluded from the complimentary appraisal (see section 1.4) and must be submitted through a paid appraisal.
If your item does not appear in this list, please contact us before submitting — we are happy to advise whether it falls within our scope.
9. Purchase & Consignment Offers
9.1. AAIA is happy to make cash purchase and/or consignment offers on your items upon request. You may indicate your interest when submitting any appraisal form, including the complimentary appraisal, or by using the dedicated Sell Your Art form.
9.2. When you submit the Sell Your Art form, you will receive both a cash purchase offer and a consignment option, so you can choose whichever works best for you. You may submit up to five (5) items per form. If you have more items, you may resubmit the form or contact Matt Wood directly.
9.3. Sell Your Art submissions are reviewed and responded to within 24–48 hours with a fair, honest offer. There is no obligation to accept.
9.4. Provenance and ownership history can increase value — please share what you know when submitting.
9.5. Any purchase or consignment offer is separate from the appraisal service and is provided at no additional cost.
9.6. As noted in section 4.4, paid appraisal fees are refunded in full for items that are subsequently sold or consigned through AAIA.
9.7. AAIA is a founding member of the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association (ATADA), ensuring a fair, ethical, and professional process.
10. Restoration Services
10.1. AAIA provides professional cleaning and restoration services for Native American art and artifacts. Matt Wood has provided these services to dealers and collectors nationwide since 1985.
10.2. Restoration quotes are provided free of charge with no obligation. Submit photos and item details via the Restoration Service Request form for a no-cost estimate.
10.3. You may submit up to three (3) items per restoration request form. For larger projects, please contact Matt Wood directly.
10.4. Quotes are rough estimates provided on a case-by-case basis. The final cost is confirmed before any work begins — no work is ever carried out without your approval.
10.5. Multiple service levels are available, from simple cleaning to full structural repair and restoration. AAIA will recommend the best option for your item.
10.6. Before-and-after photographs are recorded and provided as part of every completed restoration.
10.7. Items serviced include, but are not limited to: Navajo rugs and blankets, Native American baskets, Pueblo pottery, antique beadwork, and Native American jewelry.
10.8. Most restoration quotes are returned within 48 hours. For complex or multi-item requests, please allow a few extra days.
10.9. Purchase and consignment offers are also available on request when submitting a restoration enquiry.
11. Email Mailing List
11.1. Submitting any form (including the complimentary appraisal, paid appraisals, sell/consignment requests, and restoration requests) will automatically add your email address to the AAIA mailing list.
11.2. The mailing list is used solely for AAIA newsletters, new inventory announcements, and gallery updates. Your information is never shared with or sold to third parties.
11.3. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email you receive from us.
12. Limitation of Liability
12.1. For paid appraisals, AAIA's total liability is limited to the fee paid for that appraisal.
12.2. For the complimentary appraisal, AAIA's total liability is limited to zero, as no fee is charged.
12.3. AAIA shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising from reliance on any appraisal, including but not limited to financial loss from buying, selling, insuring, or donating an item based on the appraised value.
12.4. Appraisals are provided as professional opinions, not warranties. Clients are encouraged to seek additional opinions for high-value items or where significant financial decisions are involved.
13. Contact
For questions about our appraisal services or these terms, please contact:
Matt Wood : Antique American Indian Art Phone: (949) 813-7202
By submitting an appraisal, sell/consignment, or restoration request, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.
