How it works
Four steps, and you stay in charge of each one
Tessera does the first research in seconds. You decide what goes into the record, and every decision is kept with your name and the date.
1 · Photograph
Start with one photo
Open Tessera on your phone and photograph the object, or upload a photo you already have. At a desk, Tessera works with any camera on a stand, so a whole box of objects goes quickly.
When one view is not enough, Tessera asks for the ones that matter: the base, a mark, the back of a frame. On a computer, Tessera Loupe for Chrome adds objects straight from an auction site, a dealer's shop or an online catalogue: select the object on the page and it is identified and saved with the page it came from.
2 · Identify
What it probably is, and how sure Tessera is
Tessera first describes what it sees before it names anything: shape, material, marks, wear. Then it gives its best identification, a date range, where it was likely made, and a confidence level.
Anything that does not add up is flagged, for example a mark that does not match the claimed period. Those flags go to Triage, a short list of objects that need you.
3 · Value
An indicative range, with its reasons
Every value comes as a range with the reasoning behind it: comparable objects, condition, what lifts or lowers the price. For important pieces, ask a second opinion from a different AI and see where the two agree and where they do not.
An indicative value is a starting point, not a formal appraisal. For insurance or a sale of real importance, Tessera helps you prepare the file for a qualified appraiser.
4 · Document
A record that holds up years from now
- Every version keptAppraisals and second opinions are stored as they were made. A new one is added, nothing is overwritten.
- Provenance and documentsInvoices, certificates and letters attached to the object; Tessera reads them and suggests what to record.
- Condition and careCondition checks, treatments and care advice for the material.
- MoneyWhat you paid, what it is worth now, what you sold it for, with the profit worked out.
- An audit trailWho changed what, and when, for every object.
Questions
Before you start
Which objects does Tessera know?
Antiques, archaeology, coins, ceramics, glass, silver, militaria, ethnographic objects, prints and more. It is strongest where an object has visible marks and a known history of similar pieces, and it says so when it is unsure.
Where are my photos and records kept?
In the European Union (database in Ireland, servers in Frankfurt). Photos are sent to AI providers only to analyse them. Your cabinet is private to you and the people you invite.
Can Tessera tell me if something is fake?
It can point out what does not fit, and what would settle the question (a mark under magnification, a lab test, an expert). A photo alone cannot prove that an object is genuine.
Do I need to install an app?
No app store needed. Tessera opens in your phone's browser and can be added to your home screen, where it opens full screen with the camera one tap away.
See it on your own object
The free scan shows what Tessera makes of one photo. No account needed.