How to Check Provenance Without Overclaiming | Antique Repair Shop

Provenance is the documented chain of ownership, not a persuasive family story by itself. Strong provenance links named owners, dates and records to the same identifiable object.

What to do

Gather invoices, labels, photographs, wills, inventories, exhibition catalogues and auction references. Check whether dimensions, marks and repairs match across records.

Before you commit

Treat gaps honestly. “By descent in a family” is not the same as an unbroken documented history, and a famous name needs independent support.

Keep the record

Preserve originals, record where information came from and distinguish evidence from inference in your notes.

Trusted references

[BADA: Buying antiques](https://www.bada.org/advice/buying-and-selling-antiques/buying-antiques)
[CINOA: Code of Ethics and Charter](https://www.cinoa.org/about/code-of-ethics/)

This guide is general information, not legal, financial, insurance or valuation advice. Terms and consumer rights vary by location and sale method.

Continue learning

Watch practical examinations and restoration work on the [Antique Repair Shop YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@AntiqueRepairShop).