Art advisory, valuation, and collection management for UHNW families
London, London
Yes
Founded 1914
About Gurr Johns
Established in 1914, Gurr Johns provides independent art advisory services including valuations, acquisitions, and collection strategy for some of the world's foremost private collections.
Known For
- Founded in 1914 and among the oldest independent fine art valuers, with more than a century of appraisal records
- Valuations for insurance, probate, tax and family division across paintings, decorative arts, jewellery and collectibles
- Acquisition and sale advisory that is independent of auction houses, dealers and galleries
- Offices in London and New York, with staff covering continental Europe and Asia for major private and institutional collections
Typical Mandate
Gurr Johns is instructed by families with substantial and often inherited collections, by trustees and executors, and by family offices that need a defensible valuation before a sale, a loan or a division of assets. Typical mandates include full inventory and valuation of a country house or a multi-generational collection, negotiation with auction houses on behalf of a seller, acquisitions in the seven and eight figures, and ongoing collection management including insurance, conservation and loans to institutions.
How to Engage
Most work arrives through lawyers, trustees, private banks and insurers rather than direct marketing; the firm's website lists its London and New York offices for inquiries. Prepare an inventory and any historical valuations or auction records, and be clear about the purpose of the valuation, since insurance, probate and market values differ. Advisory engagements are set out in a fee-based letter; Gurr Johns does not take commissions from sellers or buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gurr Johns independent of the auction houses?
Yes. Gurr Johns is an independent appraiser and adviser with no ownership ties to auction houses, dealers or galleries. It charges fees rather than commissions and acts for clients in negotiations with auction houses on consignment terms, guarantees and estimates.
What does Gurr Johns value?
Fine art, decorative arts, jewellery, silver, furniture, books and manuscripts, wine and other collectibles. Valuations are prepared for insurance, probate and estate tax, matrimonial proceedings, charitable gifts and collateral for lending, in the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.
Does Gurr Johns manage collections on an ongoing basis?
Yes. Beyond one-off valuations, the firm offers collection management: cataloguing, periodic revaluation, insurance review, conservation oversight, and administration of loans to museums. Family offices often retain the firm for this function rather than staffing it in-house.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Curated by Trophy Registry from public sources and industry references.
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www.gurrjohns.com
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