Elizabeth Stewart, PhD, is a nationally recognized fine art and antiques appraiser with more than 30 years of experience valuing material culture—from historic artifacts to contemporary works. Based in Santa Barbara, California, she serves clients locally and nationwide, providing expert appraisal services for insurance, estate planning, charitable contributions, trust administration, equitable distribution, and IRS tax purposes.
Dr. Stewart is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), holding multiple specialized designations in European and American fine art, decorative arts, and furniture from the 18th through 20th centuries. She is USPAP-compliant and adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards in the appraisal industry.
Her appraisal expertise spans a wide range of personal property and cultural assets, including fine art, works on paper, furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, rugs, archives, photography, fashion, and historically significant objects. She is especially sought after for diminution of value appraisals, including complex loss cases related to fire and disaster, and works with leading law firms across California and the western United States.
Elizabeth holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Architectural History from Tufts University (magna cum laude), a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of San Diego, and a PhD in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her doctoral research explored the psychology of collecting and connoisseurship, a unique perspective that informs her nuanced understanding of value, provenance, and collector behavior.
In addition to her appraisal practice, Dr. Stewart is a respected educator, author, and media expert. She has taught art and decorative arts history, lectured extensively on topics such as auction strategy, estate planning, IRS deductions, and insurance pitfalls, and delivered a decade-long lecture series for UCSB Emeriti. She is also the longtime voice behind the popular Art and Antiques Radio Program on KZSB and writes a weekly column for the Montecito Journal.
Her published works include the award-winning Collect, Value, Divest, along with No Thanks Mom: The Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do Not Want. Her writing has appeared in major outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and NPR’s Next Avenue.
Elizabeth serves as appraiser of record for leading institutions including the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, and UC Santa Barbara, and maintains strong relationships with attorneys, CPAs, fiduciaries, and museum professionals.
Known for her clarity, discretion, and deep expertise, Dr. Stewart helps clients understand, protect, and maximize the value of their collections, whether advising on acquisitions, guiding estate decisions, or preparing comprehensive appraisal reports.