For auction houses, the ability to correctly identify a coat of arms can transform an ordinary lot into one which could make headlines.
An auction house is preparing its catalogue for a new auction. Several works bear wax seals or engraved coats of arms, but their exact meaning and origin is unknown. Without identification, the catalogue simply lists: "18th-century portrait, provenance unknown."
By using Webaldic:
- The coat of arms is identified and linked to a notable aristocratic family.
- The portrait's journey is traced back through its successive owners using the seals and coats of arms.
- The seal on the back of the painting was identified as belonging to the Swiss family Escher vom Glas, confirming that the work passed through their hands.
- The complete history of the portrait is now documented: who the sitter in the portrait is, who commissioned the work and why (marriage for example), and who owned it in the years since it was painted.
This identification:
- enhances the credibility of the catalogue.
- increases the sale value, as items connected to aristocratic families or prominent historical figures attract higher bids.
- helps avoid costly or embarrassing mistakes, such as underestimating the value of a lot linked to a prestigious family.
Impact for auction houses and auctioneers
1. Increase the value and appeal of lots
A simple coat of arms can be the difference between a modest sale and a major auction result. Identification can add significant historical, collector and monetary value.
2. Present a complete and well-documented provenance
Correctly identifying the coat of arms allows an object to be presented with its full history, attracting the attention of serious collectors and building trust.
3. Avoid costly mistakes
Failing to identify - or incorrectly identifying - a prominent family or famous owner can lead to an undervalued sale. Accurate identification protects the auction house and maximizes the lot's value.
Examples
The unidentified portrait
A painting was offered for sale in October 2024 with the following catalogue entry: Oil on canvas, “Portrait of a Woman,” coat of arms (121 x 81 cm).
Results found in Webaldic
Identifying the woman in the portrait was straightforward using Webaldic. The husband's coat of arms were identified as those of the Pitteurs family. The wife's coat of arms was more difficult to identify due to the poor quality of the image. Nevertheless, Webaldic successfully found a match with the de Roovere family arms. A quick search in Geneanet then confirmed her identity as Barbe de Roovere, wife of X. de Pitteurs. This alliance is also documented in Herckenrode's work.
