VALUATION DETERMINATION

The value for every object, here on earth is twofold. First the monetary value. This value is determined by materials from which it's made and the work involved. Sounds pretty simple. But the variables in material and work are huge. We all know that the monetary value of "De Nachtwacht" by Rembrandt van Rijn is almost impossible to estimate. Same for the "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci.



Secondly and way more important is the domestic value. This value is determent by human experience. If you ever stood at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza, not only the sight but the immense feeling of that 6000 year old structure is overwhelming. Your experience is a part of Giza’s domestic value. Understandably this counts for a huge number of objects, landmarks and scenery. One thing they all have in common is that the domestic value cannot be estimated in valuta or currencies.



Au contraire, an artwork that is buried, hidden or obscured has no domestic value. Sounds pretty simple again, but it is never black and white. Our respect goes out to the museums worldwide as they rotate their treasures in their own exhibitions or exchange them for display with other institutions. This way the domestic value will stay intact.

Anyhow, by keeping Katrain in the family does hardly gives it any domestic value. Moreover it might eventually glide into obscurity as it did in the past.

But (the infamous but...) there is only one known Stained Glass object from the hands of Hans Holbein Jr.; indexed as
"A Premonstratensian Canon" at Getty and is undoubtedly of considerable monetary value.

What is the value of Katrain? Time will tell...