Our standards
Editorial policy
Our guides are intended to help readers observe, document, and research antiques more carefully. They provide general education, not authentication or a formal appraisal.
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Research and sourcing
- We prefer museum collections, maker archives, government records, established reference works, and specialist organizations.
- Material claims such as mark dates, production periods, and legal standards should be traceable to a cited source.
- Market values are presented as ranges and should be supported by relevant comparable sales when available.
- We distinguish observable facts from interpretations and uncertain conclusions.
Use of artificial intelligence
AI may assist with outlining, classification, and drafting. Generated text is not itself a source. Factual claims should be checked against appropriate references before publication. Public identification pages are explicitly labeled as AI-generated research aids.
Images and rights
- We use owned, licensed, public-domain, or otherwise authorized images.
- We do not treat visual similarity alone as proof of maker, age, or authenticity.
- User-submitted images are handled according to our privacy policy and publication settings.
Corrections and updates
We update material when better evidence becomes available. Correction requests should identify the page, disputed statement, and supporting source and may be sent to [email protected].
Valuation and professional advice
Estimates can change with condition, provenance, location, marketplace, and demand. Read our valuation disclaimer before relying on any estimated range.