Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
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for the Art Market and Heritage
24 October 2026 · Updated at 07:47 GMT FR EN ES Member area Log in
Market

Mission

Measure the market, explain its changes, make its data accessible: the threefold mission of the OIMAP Observatory.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Three missions, one principle of transparency

Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)
Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)

The Observatory's mission comes down to three verbs: measure, explain, share. Each answers a concrete need of market players and States.

Measuring means producing reliable indicators that are comparable over time. Explaining means placing these figures in their economic and legal context. Sharing means making data and methods accessible to all.

This page details the objectives, beneficiaries and limits of this mission.

  • Measure
  • Explain
  • Share

The mission in practice

4Reference indicators
12Analysis notes per year
6Sector studies per year
48 hResponse time to the press

Source: 2024 activity report.

The three strands of the mission

The Judgment of Midas, Nicolaes Clock (1589)IndicatorsMeasure

Global index, volumes, unsold rate, median price.

Mercury (Budha), from a Mandi Astrology Series, Sanju (c. 1810)AnalysesExplain

Monthly analysis notes and sector studies.

Medal: In Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary - The Warner and Swasey Company, Victor D. Brenner (1930)OpennessShare

Open databases, published methods, training.

Who the Observatory serves

Buyers and collectors find price benchmarks there. Insurers and financial institutions use it to value collections. Member State administrations use it to calibrate their taxation and controls.

Researchers and journalists have documented series at their disposal. Market professionals, finally, can compare their performance with that of their segment. Teachers also use it to train students in the critical reading of market statistics.

View of Venice, Jacopo de' Barbari (1500)
View of Venice, Jacopo de' Barbari (1500)
Telescoping basket (1800's)
Telescoping basket (1800's)
Chemin de fer de Toulouse à Bayonne. Pont de l'Aran (en trois arches de 17m d'ouverture chacune). Situation des travaux au 21 juillet 1861, Édouard Baldus (1861)
Chemin de fer de Toulouse à Bayonne. Pont de l'Aran (en trois arches de 17m d'ouverture chacune). Situation des travaux au 21 juillet 1861, Édouard Baldus (1861)

Beneficiaries and uses

Who uses what
BeneficiaryMain useUseful product
CollectorsPlace a priceIndex by segment
InsurersValue a collectionMedian prices
Member StatesCalibrate public policyAnnual report
ResearchersAnalyse trendsOpen databases
PressInform the publicAnalysis notes

From data to decision

  1. Collect

    Receive declarations from approved operators.

  2. Check

    Discard duplicates and check consistency.

  3. Analyse

    Calculate the indicators and draw lessons from them.

  4. Publish

    Put results and methods online.

  5. Listen

    Gather criticism and improve the method.

Use of the Observatory's products in 2024

Databases46%
Annual report27%
Analysis notes19%
Sector studies8%

Share of downloads.

The widening of the mission

  1. Statistics

    Production of sales volumes.

  2. Indicators

    Creation of the global index.

  3. Openness

    Data and methods published.

  4. Training

    Modules for public officials.

  5. Support to States

    Statistical assistance to administrations.

What the Observatory does not do

Statistics and valuation

Flowers and Trees of the Four Seasons, Watanabe Shikō (early-mid 1700s)

Statistics

Produced by the Observatory
  • Overview of the market
  • Aggregated data
  • Free

To understand.

Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748)

Estimate

Produced by an expert
  • Value of a specific work
  • Individual analysis
  • Paid

To decide on a transaction.

Leaf from a Psalter and Prayerbook: Ornamental Border with Carnations, a Thistle, and a Cook Ladling Soup (verso) (c. 1524)
Leaf from a Psalter and Prayerbook: Ornamental Border with Carnations, a Thistle, and a Cook Ladling Soup (verso) (c. 1524)
The Triumph of Mordecai, Lucas van Leyden (1515)
The Triumph of Mordecai, Lucas van Leyden (1515)
An Indigo Factory, Allahabad, Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet (1865–68, published 1869–70)
An Indigo Factory, Allahabad, Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet (1865–68, published 1869–70)

The Observatory's commitments

A Member State

Dune Scene with Peasant Figures, Willem van de Velde (mid-1650s)
« For a small administration, having comparable data is already a considerable help. »
Representative of a Member State, heritage department

Vocabulary of the mission

Indicator
Summary measure of a phenomenon.
Anonymisation
Removal of any information identifying a person.
Analysis note
Monthly publication commenting on the figures.
Sector study
In-depth analysis of a segment or region.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Observatory independent?

Yes, its scientific council checks the method. See the team.

Can a study be commissioned?

Yes, on quotation, at cost, with publication of the results.

Who funds the Observatory?

The contributions of the Member States, with no funding from market operators.

How do I report an error?

Through the contact form: a public correction is published within 10 days.

Useful documents

Contacts

The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)
The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)
OIMAP ObservatoryParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 01 00observatoire@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

See the method

Seal Color Box (1662–1722)

Discover how the indicators are built.

Methodology
Image credits (19)
  • Taj Mahal, Back View of the Rest-House, with Figure, Dr. John Murray (c. 1858–1862) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • The Judgment of Midas, Nicolaes Clock (1589) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Mercury (Budha), from a Mandi Astrology Series, Sanju (c. 1810) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Medal: In Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary - The Warner and Swasey Company, Victor D. Brenner (1930) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • View of Venice, Jacopo de' Barbari (1500) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Telescoping basket (1800's) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Chemin de fer de Toulouse à Bayonne. Pont de l'Aran (en trois arches de 17m d'ouverture chacune). Situation des travaux au 21 juillet 1861, Édouard Baldus (1861) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Flowers and Trees of the Four Seasons, Watanabe Shikō (early-mid 1700s) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Nuova pianta di Roma data in luce da Giambattista Nolli l’anno MDCCXLVII, known as La Pianta Grande di Roma, Giovanni Battista Nolli (1748) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Leaf from a Psalter and Prayerbook: Ornamental Border with Carnations, a Thistle, and a Cook Ladling Soup (verso) (c. 1524) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • The Triumph of Mordecai, Lucas van Leyden (1515) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • An Indigo Factory, Allahabad, Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet (1865–68, published 1869–70) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Dune Scene with Peasant Figures, Willem van de Velde (mid-1650s) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Annunciation to the Shepherds: Leaf from a Book of Hours (1 of 6 Excised Leaves), Henri d'Orquevaulx (c. 1420–30) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Peregrine Falcons (Duck Hawks), John James Audubon (c. 1827) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Ja'far Baisunghuri (835 AH/1431–32 CE) — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
  • Seal Color Box (1662–1722) — Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 1.0
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