Past Events – August 30, 2026: – Appraisal Event Fundraiser with Michaan’s Auctions

MHS sponsors Antiques Roadshow-type event with Michaan’s

Vera Kochan Review

The Moraga Historical Society encouraged the public to clean out their closets, attics, and garages in order to “find out if a family heirloom has monetary value in addition to sentimental value”. The appraisal event, held Aug 30, 2026 at Hacienda de las Flores, was an MHS fundraiser with the help of renown Michaan’s Auctions.

Michaan’s was established in 2002, and is considered one of the leading, full-service auction houses on the West Coast. Based in Alameda, they specialize in the appraisal and sale of antiques and fine art. Items of interest to the auction house included: paintings, prints, sculpture, furniture, decorative arts, stamps, coins, Asian works of art, jewelry, timepieces, and sports memorabilia.

In addition to the six specialized appraisers, Vice President of Business Development Allyson Bradley (24 years of experience) and Assistant Vice President of Trusts and Estates Tammie Chambless (19 years of experience) were on hand to help make the event run smoothly.

The public was allowed to bring up to any three items to receive a verbal evaluation of the current auction value of their property, which is based on the comparable works, recent auction results and trends in the marketplace, among other factors. The offered estimates reflect what items might reasonably sell for at a major public auction, which are different from and in many cases lower than full retail prices. Any items offered for sale at a Michaan’s auction must meet various criteria and be valued all together above a minimum price of $2,000 in order to start a contract.

According to Chambless, before a consignment contract is signed, an appraiser will have assigned a low and high estimate. “Based on the appraiser’s assessment and the estimated value, the item will be placed in either one of our Gallery Auctions or Fine Auctions. After the auction, the consignor will be notified by email of the final sale price or informed if the item did not sell.”

The highest “hammer price” (sold price) ever attained by Michaan’s was of an exceedingly rare, 1750s, Asian soapstone figural carving for $2.235 million.

Members of the public were either pleasantly surprised by the value of their items or disappointed at a low appraisal, given at what the market demanded at this point in time. One attendee, Holly (Lamorinda Weekly will not list complete names for privacy purposes), brought two watches and a painting. “I was shocked that one of my gold retro watches was worth less that I expected.” The painting she brought was not of any known artist even though her mother once told her, “Never get rid of this.” The initials were difficult to determine, but the appraiser suggested that the artist may be foreign-born and the initials could reflect that. “I think my mother got this in the 1940s or 1950s from the Baltimore area, so I’m going to contact the Maryland Institute College of Art, the Walters Art Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.” She is thrilled that Michaan’s gave her the curiosity to keep digging into the mystery artist’s identity.

Another individual, Sam, had some commemorative gold coins from 2011 appraised for his sister. “I had no expectations whatsoever. The appraiser told me that the value was based on the current price of gold.” He also brought in a silver and turquoise Southwestern-style men’s watch and was told that the turquoise was valuable. Lastly, a 1938 men’s leather jacket with fringe was identified as being made from buffalo skin. “I enjoyed the experience a lot. The personnel are seasoned professionals, and it was nice to have so much information.”

Michaan’s was pleasantly surprised with the outcome for the day, having gotten five signed contracts to place items up for auction. “This was a great experience for us,” stated Chambless. “We’d love to come back to Moraga again.”

MHS President Susan Sperry received overwhelmingly positive responses from attendees leaving for home with their treasures; many of whom had asked for another such event in the near future. Inspired to seek out garage sales? Hannah Baker of Real Simple describes 7 Things You Should Never Buy at a Garage Sale.

A version of this article written by Vera Kochan appeared in the September 9, 2026 edition of the Lamorinda Weekly.