Meet Richelle Kokol
Richelle is a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), holding its highest level of designation, with over a decade of experience working in the global art market, and seven years experience working as a personal property appraiser.
With a dual academic foundation in Chinese Language and Art History from Trinity University, Richelle specializes in Chinese and other Asian Works of Art. She is able to read and write Chinese with limited working proficiency in spoken communication, she has studied the language and culture since the age of 14. Richelle's time in Shanghai, studying at Fudan University and working as a translator for a contemporary art gallery, further deepened her understanding of the art world in an international context.
Her personal interests and education helped lead her to begin her career in New York City at Tarisio Fine Instruments and Bows, a leading auction house specializing in stringed instruments. A move to Washington, D.C. led to a role at The Potomack Company, where she progressed from receptionist to the Asian Works of Art department, ultimately becoming assistant to the CEO. During this time, she began formal training to become a personal property appraiser under past president of ISA, Todd Sigety.
Her professional path eventually drew her down to Texas, where she worked under renowned Asian art expert Lark Mason. There, she managed the appraisal department while supporting both the auction house and the online auction platform. She continues to collaborate on appraisal projects with Mason and other experts across the field.
Richelle has been trained as both a generalist and specialist, and appraises Asian Works of Art, Musical Instruments, and Fine and Decorative Arts and Furnishings. She has worked with large estates, curated collections, and celebrity collections at auction including Property from the Collection of Anthony Bourdain and The Collection of Anne Eisenhower including Property from President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richelle has handled art objects and musical instruments ranging from $50 to $15 million. She has worked with institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art.
Richelle has valued significant single owner collections of Asian Works of Art including the Hauge Japanese, Chinese & Southeast Asian Collection. She also worked on large groups of Japanese Satsuma porcelain and Japanese Prints. Her more notable auction projects include procuring, cataloging, and selling a Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Continuous Yokeback Arm Chairs for a total of $190,000. Richelle has appraised Asian objects across multiple cultures and time periods including, Chinese porcelain from Song to Qing Dynasties, snuff bottles, Chinese Huanghuali and other Furniture, Tang Dynasty pottery, and Japanese prints and works of art.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Richelle worked closely with Asia Week New York to coordinate and run a series of monthly webinars focused on different areas of Asian Works of Art. She worked with presenters and experts from top institutions in the United States as well as from around the world including Japan and London.
Richelle has worked with stringed instruments by makers such as Stradivari, Amati, and Guarneri. She has handled, cataloged, and appraised pianos - Steinway, Bosendorfer, Yamaha, and others. She has appraised violins, violas, cellos and their bows ranging from student level to professional. She has developed market reports that specifically analyze the international auction market for stringed instruments and their bows. Richelle can also appraise brass, woodwind, percussion, and other instruments.
Now based outside of Raleigh, North Carolina in Apex, Richelle has a background in generalist auctions houses that sell and appraise all categories of fine and decorative arts. Richelle has valued or appraised Chinese Export porcelain and silver, American Porcelain and Pottery, European Porcelain, as well as Nakashima and other American and European Furniture. Richelle is trained with the International Society of Appraisers under the Antique Furnishings and Decorative Arts designation.
Richelle is fully qualified to perform appraisals for insurance purposes as well as all IRS functions and is fully compliant with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice).
