Yin Yang tattoo art has become a very popular choice for both men and women. The symbols can be stand alone tattoos or they are being increasingly used in combination with other designs.
The yin is the black, female part of the symbol which represents earth, water, night and passiveness, while yang is the white, male part and this represents day, fire, air and activity.
The yin yang symbolizes that everything has two aspects and only exist in relation to one another, this is represented by the black spot in the white half and the white spot in the black half as a reminder that there are always some traces of one in the other. For example there is always light within dark, from the stars and moon. Yin and yang are the unity of opposites and can transform into each other, night changes into day, hot becomes cold, however, this is relative as day and night do coexist together on earth when see from space.
The yin yang symbol can be made in any size which makes it a popular tattoo design for women as a small yin yang symbol can be strategically placed anywhere on the body yet still make a strong statement. People also chose to have the yin yang symbol with variations, such as a surround of sun rays or with a dragon holding a yin yang symbol which are different colors from the customary black and white. Other yin yang symbols with a difference are those which use the basis of the symbol but have a more tear-drop elongated shape to them or use the yin yang symbol as the iris of an eye, while other yin yang tattoo art designs incorporate dolphins or fishes placed in opposite directions inside yin and yang which add more color to the body art.
As people are beginning to look further into the Eastern forms of spirituality the yin yang symbol is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world. Yin and yang balance each other, as one increases the other decreases, as such Yin yang tattoo art design is often chosen to symbolize balance and harmony.
By: Tom Boyd
Archive for February, 2010
Art Appraisals – Assessing Fair Market Value Vs Replacement Value
February 22nd, 2010
People have art appraisals done for various reasons: curiosity, resale vale, tax purposes, etc. One of the most common reasons for art appraisals though is for insurance purposes. And, this is where the difference between fair market value and replacement value becomes important.
About Art Appraisals for Insurance Purposes
Insurance companies require valuables like jewelry, paintings, antiques and other items you may wish to insure to be independently appraised before they will extend coverage.
In general, the purpose of most art appraisals is two-fold: (i) to provide the owner with information about their objects so that they can fully appreciate and understand it; and (ii) to assess a market value that can be used in cases of sale, insurance, replacement costs, etc.
Now that you understand why it’s important to get your item appraised, let’s look at the difference between fair market value and replacement value.
Art Appraisals: What is Fair Market Value?
In simple terms, fair market value is the price an object could be sold for if it were put up for sale on the open market.
For example, if you offered it for sale on a website and you and a knowledgeable, willing buyer agreed on a price. The key phrase in the last sentence is knowledgeable. To get fair market value, it’s important that the buyer and seller both understand the intrinsic value of an appraised piece.
Otherwise, one may feel taken advantage of, and could be cause for legal action. This is why an independent art appraisal is key.
Art Appraisals: What is Replacement Value?
Replacement value is how much it would cost to replace a similar item, of the same quality in the current market dynamic. There are various kinds of replacement value, ie: (i) new; (iii) second-hand; (iii) facsimile; and (iv) liquidation. Each is described briefly below.
New Replacement Value: This value is based on an item still being available elsewhere new.
Second-hand Replacement Value: Value that reflects the current cost to replace a similar item in roughly the same condition.
Facsimile Replacement Value: Value that reflects the cost of recreating an item in the likeness of the original, adhering to the same quality standards and using roughly the same materials.
Liquidation Replacement Value: Value that reflects the price garnered when an item is forced to be sold under unusual circumstances – eg, time constraints or other limiting conditions.
The Value of a Professional Art Appraiser
A knowledgeable art appraiser will know not only the specifics and history of your collection/piece, he or she will also know details about the recent market demand as it relates to your them. Eg, how it’s performed in the market recently, is demand for it growing or subsiding, interested collectors, etc.
Considering all of this, the value of a reputable art appraiser can’t be understated.
By: Judith A. Tartt
