Business Details
Professional Antiques & Fine Art Appraisals
M. J. Carlile Ltd. has been delivering professional antiques and fine art appraisal services for over three decades. Our founder, Janet Carlile, combines extensive academic credentials with hands-on expertise in evaluating European and Canadian decorative arts, furniture, and fine art. We serve private collectors, corporate entities, and institutions across North America and Europe, providing USPAP-compliant valuations for insurance, probate, estate planning, and charitable donations. Janet's work with Canada's premier museums and cultural institutions underscores her industry authority.Our commitment to ethical standards includes a strict policy against purchasing from clients to avoid conflicts of interest. Through partnerships with international specialists, we maintain current market insights while offering advisory services in inventory cataloging, authentication research, and conservation guidance. Our clients benefit from transparent reporting, photographic documentation, and tailored recommendations for asset management.
Services
Appraisal Services
Insurance Valuations
Probate Valuations
Estate Planning
Charitable Donations Appraisals
Inventory Cataloging
Authentication Research
Conservation Advice
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of specialized antiques appraisal experience
- Accredited by leading professional appraisal associations
- Strict no-conflict-of-interest policy for impartial valuations
- USPAP-compliant reporting standards for legal defensibility
- International network of specialist partners for market accuracy
Associations and certifications
- Canadian Association of Personal Property Appraisers
- The Appraisal Foundation (USPAP)
What people say
Wealth of knowledge
Engaging style
Generous in sharing knowledge
Positive feedback
Fun and informative
Services
Appraisal Services
Professional antiques and fine art appraisals for insurance, sale, probate, and estate planning. Services include on-site inspections, photographic documentation, and USPAP-compliant written reports with market value analysis. Verbal estimates available for time-sensitive needs.
Insurance Valuations
Comprehensive inventory and valuation services for insurance purposes. Includes detailed item descriptions, replacement value estimates, and photographic records to protect private collections and institutional assets against theft or damage.
Probate Valuations
Accurate valuations for estate settlement requirements. Provides legally defensible documentation for asset distribution, with secure handling arrangements for high-value items during probate proceedings.
Charitable Donations
Specialized appraisals meeting Canada Revenue Agency requirements for tax-deductible donations of cultural property. Includes authentication research and documentation for artworks valued over $1,000.
Conservation Advice
Condition assessments and conservation recommendations for antique collections. Offers expert consultation on cleaning, reframing, and restoration requirements to maintain asset value and historical integrity.
People
Janet Carlile
Principal Appraiser
Accredited antiques valuer with 30+ years of experience in European and Canadian decorative arts. Lecturer at University of Toronto and Centennial College, former BBC radio host, and author of Canadian House and Home magazine's Antiques at Home column.
Questions
What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is an expert opinion of an object's value based on physical inspection, market research, and documentation analysis.
Why do different value estimates exist?
Insurance valuations reflect replacement costs while sale estimates represent auction values, creating different market perspectives.
When should I seek professional appraisal services?
For insurance coverage, estate planning, probate requirements, family asset division, or charitable donation tax receipts.
What qualifications should appraisers have?
Look for USPAP-compliant practitioners with professional affiliations like the Canadian Association of Personal Property Appraisers.
Why avoid appraisers who buy from clients?
To prevent conflicts of interest that might compromise valuation accuracy and professional objectivity.
Do you offer speaking engagements?
Yes, including corporate events, antique clinics, and educational seminars on historical decorative arts.