Edward Harrington is a French decorative arts appraiser and art market consultant, holding degrees from the Courtauld Institute and the V&A, with specialist training in European ceramics authentication. Over 18 years, he has worked at Christie's London and Artcurial Paris, building expertise in French porcelain, fine arts, and luxury collectibles. He currently advises private collectors and institutions on French art acquisitions and authenticity verification.
Edward Harrington studied Art History at the Courtauld Institute of Art before completing a postgraduate diploma in Decorative Arts and Design History at the Victoria and Albert Museum. His career began at Christie's London in the European Ceramics department, where he spent eight years developing expertise in Sèvres, Limoges, and Haviland porcelain authentication. He subsequently moved to Paris, working for five years with Artcurial auction house specialising in French decorative arts and 19th-century furniture. Edward has authenticated pieces for major private collections and advised museums on acquisitions of French porcelain and objets d'art. His technical expertise includes mark identification, provenance research, and the detection of sophisticated forgeries that plague the French antiques market. He maintains close relationships with French ateliers, dealers, and the FRAC network, giving him insider access to private showrooms and emerging artists. Edward writes to help collectors navigate the complex French art market, distinguishing genuine investment opportunities from tourist-targeted merchandise. He addresses current market conditions including the impact of EU export regulations on cross-border art purchases and the authentication standards required for serious collecting.