Origins

Origins Research & Documentation

Every object tells a story—but most of those stories are buried. I dig through dusty archives, chase auction records across continents, and follow ownership chains that stretch back centuries. If it existed, I can find where it came from.

What I Offer

• Historical Documentation: Comprehensive research through archives, estate records, auction catalogs, and private collections
• Authentication Support: Cross-referencing materials, craftsmanship, and historical context to verify authenticity
• Chain of Custody: Detailed timeline reconstruction showing how an artifact moved through time and ownership
• Expert Reports: Professional documentation suitable for insurance, legal proceedings, or institutional retrieval
• Cultural Context: Understanding the artifact's significance within its original culture and historical period

How I Work

I don't just Google it and call it done. Real origins work means going where the trail leads:

• Basement archives in municipal buildings no one's visited in decades
• Maker's marks, tool signatures, construction methods—the object itself always knows
• Calling in experts when I'm out of my depth (and knowing when that is)
• Auction catalogs, dealer networks, private sales—following the money
• Showing up in person when the paper trail runs cold

Why It Matters

Solid origins aren't just nice to have—they're everything:

• Value. A proven history can triple what something's worth.
• Legitimacy. You need to know you actually own it.
• Clean conscience. No one wants to find out they bought something stolen.
• The story. Half the point of owning something old is knowing where it's been.
• Protection. Documentation keeps artifacts from disappearing into private vaults.