French expert appraisal chambers

Founded in 1967, the National Chamber of Experts Specialized in Works of Art and Collectibles (CNES) aims to provide the art world with the assurance of expertise that meets the highest standards of authenticity and quality. The wide range of specialties mastered by its members covers the entire art market, and their skills, as well as their complementary expertise, ensure that professionals and enthusiasts alike are fully informed about the works of art and collectibles that are the focus of their interest and curiosity.

CNES experts are present at major international fairs, are listed with the courts of justice, and work with auction houses, insurance companies, museums, and collectors. Organized across mainland France into nine regions, the CNES brings together trainee experts admitted after specific examinations, qualified experts certified through aptitude tests, associate experts, corresponding members, and honorary members.

Founded in 1978, the CEA (Compagnie d’Expertise en Antiquities, Works of Art, and Contemporary Art) was established to bring together specialized Experts whose training, competence, experience, integrity, and professional standing provide the strongest guarantee of fairness and rigor in the authentication and valuation of heritage assets.

We are present at antiques and art fairs, and many auction houses in Paris and throughout the regions call upon our Experts to assist auctioneers in their sales. In this way, we maintain a постоян and dynamic relationship with the art and antiques market.

With a strong cultural mission, our organization regularly hosts high-level conferences. The CEA joined the CEDEA in June 2010.

Founded in 1971, the CNE brings together nearly 190 experts specializing in fields such as antiques, paintings, books, curiosities, and works of art from all periods.

How can you have an object or a work of art appraised, valued, evaluated, authenticated, or sold? How can you arrange for an estate inventory or a division of assets? What fees or professional charges apply?

Created in 1987 by Robert Métais, the FNEPSA is made up of recognized specialists in the various fields related to the art market. Its members are admitted on the basis of their expertise. As such, members are called upon by various public and private bodies, including courts, notaries, auctioneers, customs authorities, insurance companies, antique fairs, as well as private individuals wishing to determine the value of their assets or to organize divisions of property and estates.

It is important to note that all of our experts are able to issue “certificates of authenticity” for any transaction between a seller and a buyer. We also regularly provide professional training in all art-related disciplines in order to enhance the knowledge of all our trainees and members. In addition, we have established legal training outlining the rights and obligations of our experts and informing them about the judicial system.

Founded in Paris in 1987, the European Chamber of Expert Advisers in Works of Art (CECOA) is an association composed of experts, expert advisers, and consultants. In this respect, the CECOA positions itself as a reservoir of technical and human expertise that can be called upon by governments, national and European bodies, public and private companies, and private individuals for specialized appraisal or arbitration assignments in specific fields, whether for judicial purposes or for audit purposes.

CEFA is a company of experts whose aim is to cover, in a 360-degree approach, the full range of specialties within the world of art and antiques. Traditional fields—such as early periods, 18th-century furniture, 19th-century works, militaria, early faience, old master and contemporary paintings, regional furniture, works of art, chandeliers, weapons, ceramics, bronzes, and rare books—are represented by experts recognized by the profession within our organization. CEFA stands as a guarantee of the knowledge, experience, and professionalism of its experts.

Aesthetic perspectives are constantly evolving, requiring continuous renewal, a philosophy that perfectly reflects the spirit of CEFA. Our ambition is to highlight a new generation of experts in the most on-trend sectors of the antiques market, such as design furniture, posters, industrial objects, 20th-century designer furniture, artist-designed jewelry, video games, props, comic books, toys from the 1960s–1980s, vintage items, memorabilia, and pop culture.

“The multidisciplinary nature of the antiques world is the true reflection of a modern, forward-looking organization, equally at ease appraising a pair of 18th-century candelabra or a plastic Goldorak robot.”

In 2001, a group of art experts, aware of the growing importance and originality of their profession, founded the European Chamber of Art Experts (CEEA) in order to ensure the quality, cohesion, ethical standards, and reliability of working methods within their field. The Chamber’s experts proudly and with complete integrity assume independent responsibility in the appraisal of works of art.