Looking to hire a professional- reccomendations?

[dstras95]

Here are some more photos I found on my mom's phone. A few of the items we have bought within the last year or so:

1) A sample of the large group African masks my mother bought recently
2) A Chinese vase, not sure of the details
3) Carved and beaded wooden "tusks" (no ivory)

I have several more photos of the masks if anyone is interested in seeing them in more detail. Hope this answers the requests for a few photos adequately!

[ghopper1924]

Wow, your house must look like an Asian palace!

That tiger is cool! If it were made in North America, I'd say it was quarter-sawn oak. Hmmmm, I wonder if that's........tiger wood? 

[mart]

Tiger Am I missing a pic   Just curious, but did your parents purchase these here in the U.S ?? From a dealer ??  They seem to be a mixed lot,, some decorative and some to be worn !! A few just seem to not belong in Africa !!  Just from my first impression and believe me I know little about tribal masks !!
And I just gotta ask,,, where in the world do your parents hang and display this collection ?? Hope you have a very large house !!

[ghopper1924]

"3) A wooden coconut grinder in the shape of a tiger from Cambodia"


3rd pic down on the previous page. 

[mart]

Thanks Ghopper,, didn`t even look at that page !!

[dstras95]

She bought this lot from a dealer we met in Zanzibar who collects African art. Our house is very crammed with stuff, there's barely any wall space left! Most of our masks are on display in our house, but around 25 are in storage I think. My parents hope to eventually add to our house and future plans include a sort of gallery. That being said, they often buy "for the future house" then end up having to find a way to fit it in our current house, it's a bit of a mess.

[mart]

LOL  !! I am sure they would fit right in here !! I think we all have tried to "fit stuff in" on occassion !!

[kidden6968]

I know I certainly have - trying to fit lots and lots of stuff  LOL

[ghopper1924]

Those of us who've hit that stage know that you have to start selling stuff to make room for upgrades, or risk becoming a hoarder !

[mart]

Thats what we all intend to do,,, some day !!

[ghopper1924]

LOL. Actually, we've sold some stuff to make room for other stuff; that was one way I was clued in on how badly the market for antiques has slipped.

[fancypants]

I like to keep an open reservation on a padded room , when it comes to collecting !

Seems like the kinds of stuff that have stricken my fancy through the years have gone through as many changes as I have .

Although I do like to keep an eye out & an ear to the ground (for other 'antique collectors' too) , the current Queen of my non-antique collection is about one square foot of wax paper with a black ant that was included in the process !

Sorry about the continued hi-jack o' your thread , d95 !

Getting back to your original title , as to hiring a professional .... well , I just don't know of any true pros who'll work for discount rates , except for very close friends/relatives & such .
Perhaps it might be best for you to establish your budget , then go from there , with whatever item(s) you are most curious about being at the front of the line , so to speak ?

One last suggestion would be for your parents to contact their insurance company/agent & inquire as to the type of specialist/estimator/appraiser that would be valid for them , in the event of an insurance claim upon all/some of the items concerned .