David Walker is an antiques and fine art specialist, appraiser and consultant based in New York. He is actively buying, brokering and appraising quality antiques, fine art and jewelry, whether it’s a single item or entire collection. He is a certified member of the Appraiser’s Association of America and his appraisals conform to USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) standards.
Over fifteen years experience in the fine and decorative arts industry, as Specialist, Auctioneer, and Appraiser
Former Vice President and Senior Specialist, Valuations Dept., Sotheby’s New York
Former Head of 19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, and Decorative Art at Sotheby’s New York
Appraisers Association of America Accredited Member
USPAP certified and Compliant
Given various relevant industry lectures, including at the AAA annual conference in New York
Featured appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow since 2011
Sold over $15 million worth of art and antiques for various clients since 2010.
I’ve been interested in antiques and old things for as long as I can remember. I first started working for an antiques shop at age 15; helping out on the weekends, opening the cases, talking to the customers who came in. In 2004 I got a BA in Art History from University College London, and started working at Bonhams in London shortly after. After a year as a porter there I joined the Antiquarian Books, Maps and Manuscripts department, as a cataloguer, and by the time I left in 2010 I was quite well versed in the area. We handled wonderful items, I always liked early printing (incunabula and books pre-1600) and maps and atlases the most.
From Bonhams I moved to the USA to work at Freeman’s in Philadelphia, and after a year as a specialist became the Head of Department and took care of all the European Furniture and Decorative Arts sales. I sold some fantastic collections and single objects. In 2015 Sotheby’s in New York approached me and I took a role as Head of 19th Century Furniture and Decorative Arts, then once the division contracted I moved into Sotheby’s Valuations dept. as a Senior Specialist, valuing the contents of client’s homes across North and South America.