Appraisals
An unbiased estimate of the market value for an art piece
John Buxton, founder of ArtTrak, is a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (CAPP) with the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), utilizing the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). He specializes in authenticating and appraising African, Pre-Columbian, Oceanic, and Native American art. John works with museums, collectors, dealers, appraisers, and legal professionals.
At ArtTrak, we appraise, authenticate, purchase, and sell
Traditional Indigenous Art
(African, Pre-Columbian, Native American & Oceanic Art)
Our general approach for consultations and appraisals follows.
We are happy to provide either a consultation that includes a verbal range of value or a formal written appraisal, as explained below, and professional guidance.
Consultation providing a verbal range of value:
No research is required.
Includes a verbal range for a singular or group up to three objects.
$100
Consultation providing a verbal range of value:
Only minor research is required.
Includes a verbal range for a singular or group of up to three objects.
$250 per hour
To schedule a verbal range, please provide by email (NOT text) the following:
Photo of the piece or pieces…. please send high-resolution images front & back against a colored background (not white), as digital photos shot on white turn dark objects darker, eliminating any detail. In the case of masks or figures, multiple shots are required so that we may evaluate wear patterns.
Dimensions of each piece… always best to show object in photo with a ruled measure or other familiar object to show scale.
Collection history: information on how you acquired the artwork, including any receipts, if available.
Names of other experts, if any, who have rendered an opinion on the artwork.
Verbal ranges are given via phone or Zoom, and we will email an invoice for payment before our phone call/Zoom.
On larger collections that require several hours of research, we can schedule a conference call to review the objects with you.
Consultation providing a written appraisal of value:
$250 per hour
Please provide the following by email:
Reason for the appraisal - i.e. insurance, donation, personal use.
Photographs that meet the same standards stated above. Images totaling over 20 MB, please send via WeTransfer.com
List with categories of items to be examined and state the number of items in each category.
Owners of the artwork and all contact information.
Deadline date for completion, if applicable.
Please Note: ArtTrak can serve in only one of two ways… either as a dealer or an appraiser... but we cannot be both, unless asked to be a broker with a contract.
We also work with several auction houses that may be an appropriate agent for your objects you desire to sell, and we can advise you.
PAYMENT FOR SERVICES: Payment via credit card through SQUARE.COM. An invoice will be sent for payment before our phone call/Zoom meeting.
EMAIL TO: [email protected]
Click here for a downloadable PDF of the pricing information listed above.
John A. Buxton, ISA CAPP
Professional Profile
John Buxton, ISA CAPP, is a qualified professional appraiser of Traditional Indigenous Art (African, Native American, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian art), often referred to as Tribal Art.
With over 40 years of experience to include lecturing, appraising, and authenticating Tribal Art, Buxton has also provided expertise in African and Pre-Columbian cases when serving as a legal expert witness. In addition, Buxton appeared for over twenty-five years as the lead appraiser for African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian art on the popular nationally recognized PBS’ Antiques Road Show since its inception in 1996.
With Buxton's expertise in appraisal methodology, he is often asked to evaluate the methodology of other appraisal reports outside the Tribal Art field, or to locate appraisal expertise in other fields and/or form appraisal teams for large projects.
Buxton is the owner of Shango Galleries in Dallas, TX, specializing in Traditional Indigenous Art since 1976.
-
2025 International Society of Appraisers and USPAP certification credentials are up to date
2016
Tested and passed ISA course USPAP, Leon Castner, Instructor (through 2018)
2015
International Society of Appraisers Lamp of Knowledge Award
2014
Tested and passed AAA course USPAP, Gayle Skluzacek, instructor (through 2016)
Completed Requalification course for International Society of Appraisers (through 2020)
2012
Tested and passed AAA course USPAP, Gayle Skluzacek, instructor (through 2014)
2010
Completed Requalification course for International Society of Appraisers (through 2015)
2002
Ellen A. Amirkhan NTISA Distinguished Service Award
2002
Featured in full page “High Profile” Article, Dallas Morning News (July)
2000
National Board of Directors, International Society of Appraisers (through 2001)
Designated Member of the Year, International Society of Appraisers
President, North Texas Chapter, International Society of Appraisers
1999-1997
National Chairman, Electronic Information Services Committee, ISA
1999
Designated Specialist, Certified Appraiser of Personal Property, ISA
1998
CAPP Requalification Course, ISA, Los Angeles
1997
Seminar 97, Dallas, Texas
ISA Expert Witness Course, Dallas
1993
Completion of Appraisal Principles Core Course, ISA
Designated Member, ISA
The Appraiser as an Expert Witness - Legal Research -
2025-1997 Appraiser/consultant on PBS Antiques Roadshow
2005 Designated Expert Witness, Roadway Express vs. Dr. Martin Trepel
1997 Designated Expert Witness, Roadway Express vs. Dr. Martin Trepel
1996 Established Buxton, Appraisal, Authentication and Consulting Services
1996 Selected for Chubbs Antique Road Show - PBS Television
Present-1974 Appraised, authenticated and evaluated tribal art for private and institutional clients
1993 Began ArtTrak, Inc. online nationally as a computer network for art information
1991 Founded and incorporated ArtTrak, Inc., an art services computer company
1991 Designated Expert Witness for City of Kenner vs. Mince
1990 Designed computer database, AUCTION TRAK, for the appraisal, research, evaluation, and authentication of Tribal art
1976 Established Shango Galleries
1974 Established The Bahraini Chest, an import shop, in Dallas, Texas (November)
1973-74 Traveled extensively throughout Africa, India, Pakistan, Iran, and the Middle East -
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Washington DC
Kimbell Museum, Fort Worth, TX
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX
Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL
McClung Museum, Knoxville, TN
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Association of Midwest Museums
International Society of Appraisers
Arizona State Museum, Tucson, AZ
-
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX
Austin College, Sherman, TX
Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX
Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, NY
University of Iowa Art Museum, Iowa City, IA
National Annuity Company, Salt Lake City, UT
Jones Day, Cleveland, OH
University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
Beloit College, Beloit, WI
Berea College, Berea, KY
CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS
Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK
Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson, MS
McClung Museum, Knoxville, TN
Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX
Frost National Bank, Fort Worth, TX
Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Indiana University Museum of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN
Cincinnati Museum of Art, Cincinnati, OH
Minnesota Science Museum, St. Paul, MN
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Internal Revenue Service, Washington DC
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL
High Museum, Atlanta, GA
Private Clients
-
1963 - 1968
Tulane University, Bachelor of Arts, New Orleans, LA1959 - 1963
Williston Academy, Easthampton, MA -
2004 - Present
Professional blog2009 - Present
ArtTrak newsletter -
Appraisals
Computer searches for comparablesExpert Witness Authentication
African, Pre-Columbian, Oceanic and American Indian ArtAuction Bidding
Museums and CollectorsArt Expert / Appraiser Locator Service