Insights
By: Maria de Peverelli
Two minutes with… Maria de Peverelli
We caught up with Maria de Peverelli, Executive Chairman of Stonehage Fleming Art Management in London
A lot of our work is ‘invisible’. Cataloguing the artwork is the first thing we do to establish exactly what we are dealing with and where it is. A collection will often be divided amongst several family members in various houses, storage facilities, galleries or on long-term loan to museums.
Logistics are key. Being present when moving an artwork from A to B is essential. In order to do our job well we must physically know each object. Only by seeing it in real life will you know its weight or fragility, whether a packer can pick it up with one hand or two, whether it requires two movers or five and, crucially, whether it will fit in a given room.
The upkeep of records is as essential as maintaining the condition of the works. When it comes to the maintenance of the artworks condition, regular monitoring of light, humidity and temperature control is part of good collection management. We often have to train domestic staff on how to look after the artworks.
Every sale starts with research. We look at the status of the market for the specific items and see if it is a good time to sell and if so where. We work out whether auction or private sale is appropriate and present the options to the client or trustee making the decisions. By working with a large number of collections, big and small, we have a great network. All our clients benefit from the breadth and depth of our relationships with a range of art experts including curators, conservators, auction houses and art dealers.
Private collection management is a relatively new phenomenon. We have noticed that first generation collectors seldom seek our services. Clients usually engage us when there is a generational transition or when the collection is too big to be managed solely by the owner.
People collect art for a variety of reasons. Working with clients who are passionate about their collection makes our job so enjoyable. They have a lot of knowledge and love for their particular works – it is infectious.
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Disclaimer:
This article has been prepared for information only. The opinions and views expressed on any third party are for information purposes only, and are subject to change without notice. It is not intended as promotional material, an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy investments or services. We do not intend for this information to constitute advice and it should not be relied on as such to enter into a transaction or for any investment decision. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date, some of the information may be rendered inaccurate in the future due to any changes. © Copyright Stonehage Fleming 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, on any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission. It has been approved for issue by Stonehage Fleming Investment Management Limited, a company authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and in South Africa by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. This article is approved for distribution in South Africa by Stonehage Fleming Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP9587) It has also been approved for issue by Stonehage Fleming SA which is regulated in Switzerland by the Association Romande Des Intermédiaires Financiers and Stonehage Fleming Trust Holdings (Jersey) Limited which is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.