Art valuation in India has entered a new phase.
For years, art valuation reports were often treated as procedural documents - created to meet immediate requirements such as insurance renewals or internal records. In many cases, the emphasis was placed on assigning a value, with limited scrutiny of methodology, documentation, or long-term defensibility.
In 2025, that changed.
Insurance companies, advisors, and institutions began applying far greater scrutiny to valuation reports. Increasingly, they required artworks to be valued by experienced and expert valuation firms. As a result, many collectors and organisations were asked to re-evaluate artworks that had previously been insured or declared.
This report was written to document that shift - and to help stakeholders understand what it means going forward.
What Changed in 2025
2025 marked a clear turning point for art valuation in India. Several developments became increasingly evident:
Insurance companies began insisting on valuations prepared by experienced and credible professionals
Greater emphasis was placed on valuation methodology, documentation, and accountability
Re-valuation requests became more common, even for previously insured artworks
Informal or outdated valuation reports were questioned or rejected
The credibility of the valuer became as important as the value itself
These changes were not isolated or temporary. They reflected a broader maturation of expectations around art valuation as a professional and risk-management discipline.
What This Report Covers
This e-book focuses exclusively on art valuation, drawing from long-term professional practice and real-world observations.
A Review of 2025
A 2026 Readiness Guide
The report is designed to be practical, clear, and relevant—without speculation or unnecessary complexity.
Who This Report Is For
This report is especially relevant for
Private Collectors
With significant or growing collections
Corporates
Holding art across offices, properties, or portfolios
Institutions
Trusts, and foundations
Advisors
Working with insurance, estate planning, taxation, or governance
If art valuation intersects with insurance coverage, estate management, tax or regulatory considerations, or
corporate reporting in your context, this report is intended for you.
A Practitioner-Led Perspective
This report is grounded in sustained valuation practice rather than theory.
It reflects
Direct engagement with collectors, corporates, and institutions
Ongoing interaction with insurance and advisory ecosystems
A long-term view of valuation as stewardship, not speculation
The focus is on defensibility, governance, and preparedness - rather than market hype or short-term trends.
