Decorative art is something that decorates the home. It may include vases, silver flatware and hollowware, stainless flatware, furniture, dishes, figurines, lamps, rugs, and furniture. It must be aesthetically pleasing as opposed to fine art. Fine art can be aesthetically pleasing or not. It often makes a statement that is hard to comprehend. Examples of fine art include paintings and sculpture.

USPAP stands for Universal Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Every qualified appraiser must pass this course. It sets standards and qualifications for all types of appraisers and is authorized by the United States Congress. Types of appraisers can include real estate, personal property or business valuation. USPAP has five rules that appraisers must adhere to. These are the ethics rule, record-keeping rule, competency rule, the scope of work rule, and the jurisdictional exception rule. The purpose of USPAP is to promote trust in appraisal practice.

Appraisers are libel for their valuations. For that reason they must use much care documenting their research to prove the values they reach. This can take much time and money since some of the information is not free. In an appraisal of many different kinds of things different types of appraisal experts may work together. Appraisers must prove the reason for the value.

The American Society of Appraisers is the oldest appraisal organization and started in 1936. It promotes ethical standards and trust through the Universal Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and has a vast selection of appraisal disciplines. These can include real estate, personal property, jewelry, machinery and business valuation. Examples of types of personal property appraisers include: American Indian Arts, Antique Furniture and Decorative Arts, Asian Art, African Art, Automobiles, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Fine Arts, Jewelry, Coins, Stamps, Model Trains, Musical Memorabilia, Sports Memorabilia, and Residential Contents. Ellen Bloxsom can either refer you to one of these specialists or work with one and include their valuation with her appraisal.