Founded in 1945 right after the war, the French Syndicate of Professional Experts on Works of Art and Collections (SFEP) is the oldest of the organisations representing the profession of expert on works of art.It was important to have a recognized authority given the number of fake works flooding the market at that time.
Savvy members of the ARTKABINETT social network of fine art collectors can certainly make use of this fine organization when visiting auctions, selling works, and appraising pieces for insurance or gifting.
Over and above the existing code of professional ethics, it assures the cohesion of its members in their diverse and complementary activities.
Exclusively composed of independent professional experts whose competence is unanimously recognised, the syndicate today gathers together 110 members covering 42 specialities. Amongst them are legal experts who are registered to appear in an Appeal Court for the Administration of Customs or Domains (Property).
The members provide their services in France and abroad to collectors and amateurs, to heirs, legatees or donors, to juridical decisions or to museums for all advice, and expertise, and all presentations of objects on sale at public auctions.
Scientifically responsible in the drafting of catalogues which make the reputation of public sales in France, the experts, contrary to the practice abroad, guarantee their expertise and descriptions which fully engage their responsibility and their credibility.
The membership of an expert in the SFEP is subject to some strict criteria of competence and experience and offers a guarantee against the regrettable deregulation of the title of expert in France.
The new laws governing the art market, the suppression of the auctioneers in the matter of voluntary sales, and their replacement by some sales companies, show clearly the dominating role of the experts, alone to ally the knowledge of objects to that of the market of their speciality.
Today, more than ever, they present themselves as privileged interlocutors available for consultations without intermediaries. Below is the list of specialties covered. Tomorrow we present the list of faculty.
Specialities
17, 18 and 19th Century Furnitures, Art Objects and Sculptures
19 and 20th Century Drawings
19 and 20th Century Paintings
19 and 20th Century Sculpture
Archeology - Antiques
Art Nouveau and Art Deco Furnitures - Design
Arts and popular Traditions
Autographs - Manuscripts
Boats and sailboats of collection
Bronze casting
Dolls, Toys
Early Middle-Ages
European Ceramic
Fans
Far Eastern Art
Fashion and Accesories
Glassware
Historical Souvenirs
Icons
Islamic Art
Miniatures
Musical Instruments
Numismate
Old and modern books
Old and Modern Prints
Old Arms - Militaria
Old Drawings
Old Fabrics
Old Goldsmith and Silverware, Objects of Vertu
Old Painting
Old Pewter
Old Vehicles
Old walking Sticks
Pens collectors
Perfume Bottles
Philately
Photos
Primitive Arts of Africa, America, Oceania
Silverware
Tapestries and Carpets
Contact
1, rue Rossini
75009 Paris
Tel : 33 (0)1 40 22 91 14
Fax : 33 (0)1 40 22 91 34
http://www.dataconseils.com/sfep/index.php
