The expert report — Edith Mbella

The report is the deliverable of the appraisal. It must be legible to a layperson, verifiable by a colleague and useful to a notary, an insurer or a buyer.

The sections of a report

Identification: reference, date, applicant, object, purpose.
Description: dimensions, materials, condition, photographs.
Analysis: form, material, patina, use, comparisons.
Provenance: chronology, documents, gaps.
Conclusion: reasoned opinion, attribution, degree of certainty.
Reservations: limits, elements that could change the opinion.
Declarations: no conflict of interest, confidentiality.

A sample report

Below, a sample report: identification, examination, provenance, conclusion and reservations.

Expert report

Reference: EM-2025-014
Date: 12/03/2025
Applicant: Mr D. (private collection)
Purpose: Opinion of authenticity and market valuation

1. Object

Anthropomorphic wooden statue of Grassfields type, height 42 cm. Surface with brown patina of use, dorsal cavity, light restoration at the base.

2. Examination

The form belongs to the stylistic tradition of western Cameroon. The handling of volumes and face is consistent with documented pieces. The patina shows deposits distributed consistently with the supposed function.

3. Provenance

Private collection, Cameroon, since 1962. An acquisition document dated 1971 was produced. Gap between 1985 and 1998.

4. Conclusion

In light of the evidence, the object is, in the expert’s opinion, an old work of Grassfields. Degree of certainty: high.

5. Reservations

The opinion rests on visual and documentary examination. It could change if the discovery of an earlier acquisition document.

Signature and stamp of the expert — Edith Mbella

What the report does not contain. It does not claim absolute certainty, does not issue a certificate of lawfulness and contains no promise of capital gain.

To understand how the report is built, see the method; for the calendar, the process.

Frequently asked questions

Going further

Can the report be used before a notary or an insurer?

It can be produced as an expert document in support of a file. Its legal value depends on the setting: check with the notary or insurer. Its legal value depends on the setting in which it is used: check with the notary or insurer.

May I share my report?

Yes, it belongs to you. It is advisable, however, to share it in full, with its reservations.

Can the report be updated?

Yes: if new information appears, an addendum can be drawn up.

Next step

Receive a report for your object.

Describe your piece in a few lines and attach photographs: the reply is confidential.

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