Authenticity & Provenance

Careful selection and review

KERNCHEN® carefully selects artworks and, depending on the work, acquires them directly from artists, established galleries, agencies, auction houses or private collections. Before a work is offered, the available information concerning authorship, attribution, origin, edition, signature, condition and accompanying documentation is reviewed on a risk-oriented basis and to an extent appropriate to the work, its value and the circumstances of acquisition.

Existing invoices, certificates of authenticity, archive or catalogue raisonné references, exhibition and provenance documents and other work-related information are included in the review where available and relevant. The source of the information, the plausibility of the documentation and the seller's authority to dispose of the work are also considered.

Information about the artwork

The information on the respective product page reflects the state of knowledge and documentation available when the offer is published and reviewed to the best of our knowledge. Known material uncertainties, differing attributions or relevant gaps in provenance are disclosed for the work concerned. Terms such as “attributed to”, “workshop of”, “circle of” or “after” are art-historical classifications and differ from a direct attribution to the named artist.

Certificates, signatures, numbering, labels, stamps and other accompanying documents are considered as part of the overall assessment of the work; on their own, they do not always permit a conclusive determination. Depending on the work, additional stylistic, archival, catalogue raisonné-related or scientific/technical examinations and assessments by external specialists may be considered. These sources of evidence have differing probative value. Research, generally accepted expert opinions and technical possibilities may evolve after a sale, so absolute certainty cannot be achieved in every individual case.

The specific product description, expressly disclosed deviations and agreements made when the contract is concluded are decisive for the contractually agreed characteristics. The presentation of existing documents or external assessments does not constitute a guarantee beyond statutory rights unless such a guarantee is expressly and clearly given for the work concerned.

Additional review on request

On request, before conclusion of the contract or independently of a purchase, KERNCHEN® may coordinate a more extensive review by a mutually agreed independent expert, artist archive or specialised laboratory on the basis of a separate written engagement. The scope of the review, contractor, cost framework, transport, insurance, processing time and possible limits of the findings will be agreed in advance.

Third-party fees and expenses as well as agreed transport and insurance costs are generally payable in advance and are incurred for services properly commissioned and performed regardless of whether the result is confirmatory, negative or inconclusive. Unused advances will be refunded. Any separate engagement and a requested start of services before expiry of a statutory withdrawal period are governed by the relevant agreement and statutory provisions.

Statutory rights

These notes do not limit any expressly agreed characteristics of the artwork or any statutory rights of withdrawal, remedies for defects, repayment or damages. In particular, an additional review is not a prerequisite for asserting statutory rights.

Please direct any questions about authenticity, attribution, provenance or available examination documents before purchase to kontakt@kernchen.com.

KERNCHEN® can make mistakes. Before relying on important information—especially information concerning authenticity, attribution, provenance, dating, condition, edition, signature and available documentation—please verify it independently using appropriate current sources and documents or, where necessary, obtain professional advice. This request does not affect your statutory rights.