NEW YORK, NY.- With so much unknown about how and when our cultural institutions will be able to reach a new state of normalcy, and what further events might occur between now and then, now is the ideal time for institutions to take a closer look at any vulnerabilities within their collections, and have an accurate understanding of each individual objects' condition and value.

With the goal of providing assistance to museums and other non-profit institutions during these challenging and uncertain times, Eli Wilner is currently offering a limited number of free antique frame appraisals. Normally retailing for $2,500 per frame, Wilner will provide 50 non-profit institutions with one free retail replacement value frame appraisal each. If needed, these formal reports will also include restoration treatment recommendations and cost estimates, which can be useful supplementary material when applying for grants, or in any kind of fundraising efforts.

In an era when people insure all aspects of their lives and possessions, antique picture frames are still often overlooked, despite their increasing value, rarity and fragility. Professional curators and conservators who are well-versed in the importance of correctly evaluating works of art for insurance purposes, are often not yet aware that frames also contribute to the overall value of an institutional collection. Individual retail replacement value appraisals are based on Wilner's past antique frame sales records, and in-depth knowledge of the evolving market.

Understanding the potential value of a frame that may have condition issues, or noting if it has a direct correlation to the maker of the artwork that the frame houses, an appraisal can help guide decisions about undertaking restoration projects in the overall context of a collection. For example, it might be ideal to assess frames while a museum gallery is being renovated. Insuring frames independently from paintings is especially important when considering loaning artworks out to other institutions, or perhaps consigning to an auction house if an artwork is being considered for deaccession.

For the time being, in light of the social distancing guidelines that are in place, Eli Wilner & Company is able to appraise frames based on clear photographs and measurements only, as opposed to in-person inspections. In certain situations, a brief written description or video call may be required to verify some details.

Application instructions:

• Requests to apply for the limited number of Wilner's free frame retail replacement value appraisals can be emailed to: info@eliwilner.com

• Subject line: "[Name of Institution] request for RRV frame appraisal"

• Please include a brief description of the frame, its measurements, and any relevant information about the painting.

• Images requirements: please include overall, high resolution images of the front and back of the frame, with at least one corner detail.

Eli Wilner & Company has completed over 10,000 framing projects for private collectors, museums, and institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and 28 projects for The White House. In 2019, Wilner was honored by the Historic Charleston Foundation with the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Conservation Craftsmanship Award, for their work in historic picture frame conservation. Wilner is a preferred provider for framing and frame restoration by both AXA and Chubb.