Independent Art Consulting
Museum-quality guidance for collectors, families, and institutions, from an advisor who does not buy, sell, or broker art.
Dr. Harrison Schley holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Pennsylvania and has over ten years of experience in academic and art market research.
Academic & Museum Authority
Advice grounded in doctoral research and curatorial experience at leading institutions, including the National Museum of Asian Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Independent Perspective
Dr. Schley does not buy, sell, trade, or broker art. He gives objective guidance and, when a sale or deaccession is the right step, connects you with the best third-party venues.
Transparent Billing
All consulting is billed at an hourly rate, never as a percentage of a sale. If a third-party venue offers an introductory commission, we disclose it to you in writing before you decide to proceed.
Consulting Services
We advise on every stage of a collection’s life, from acquisition and stewardship to sale and disposition:
Collection Management & Strategy
Long-term planning for how a collection is organized, documented, and developed, so you know what you have, where it is, and where it is headed.
Acquisitions Guidance
Independent advice on potential purchases, including fit, condition, provenance, and price, from an advisor who is not selling you the work.
Private Curatorial Services & Cataloging
Cataloging, documentation, and research for private collections, prepared to museum standards.
Sales & Liquidation Placement
Identifying the best third-party venue for a sale, whether an auction house or gallery, and helping you prepare for consignment. We do not broker or sell the work ourselves.
Disposition & Equitable Estate Division
Guidance for families and fiduciaries dividing or disposing of a collection fairly, including recommendations on sale venues and timelines.
Institutional & Foundation Advisory
Guidance for individuals and foundations on museum donations, loans, and the long-term stewardship of collections.
Historical & Market Research
Collections-based research on an object’s history, maker, and market for private and institutional clients.
Authentication & Provenance Due Diligence
Careful examination of attribution, authenticity, and ownership history, with outside specialists brought in when a work calls for one.
Asset Protection & Risk Advisory
Advice on storage, transit, and conservation strategy to protect a collection’s condition and value, coordinated with trusted specialists.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Contact us to discuss your collection and your goals in a confidential preliminary consultation.
