Original art with an expert valuation
Buying original art, with a price, a certificate and a valuation
A work you hang on the wall and can give an account of.
Most people buying an original work for the first time ask the same two questions. What does it cost? And how do I know it is genuine?
Both questions are fair, and in the art world both are astonishingly often left unanswered. Prices are nowhere to be found, and anyone who asks feels they are making a fool of themselves. Authenticity is discussed as though it were a matter of taste.
We do it differently. With us the price stands next to the work. We present four works here in detail, with all the papers; the rest of the portfolio, with prices, is in the online shop. And every work comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist in his own hand. Added to that are a work dossier and, on request, an expert valuation by an independent appraiser, with a number, a date and a traceable derivation.
What you receive
Every work comes with papers
The original
A unique piece, signed with the «jmj» monogram of the artist and the year. Acrylic on canvas, unframed. The edges are finished with a painted border, as is customary in the artist's street-art tradition.
The certificate of authenticity
Comes with every work, without exception. Signed by the artist in his own hand. It confirms that the work comes from his hand and ties it to the work number. In his valuations the appraiser states expressly that establishing authenticity is not his task. The artist's signature stands for that. In his assessment, a certificate on hand raises the value of the work.
The work dossier
Work number, title, dimensions, technique, year of creation, photographic documentation and the history of the work. Either it already exists, or we draw it up at your request. It is available above all for the more exclusive works; these dossiers at the same time stand for the rest of the brand's work. The dossier exists in German and English, for individual works also in Czech.
The expert valuation
On request. A licensed appraiser in Prague examines the work and records an appraised value as at a given date, with a number, a date and the derivation from comparable works. He is a specialist in art and literature and is commissioned by national libraries and museums, among others. He is neither employed by us nor involved in the sale. The cost is borne by the buyer and is shown separately.
Holdings
Four documented works
For these four works the work dossier and the expert valuation are available in full. All prices are exclusive of VAT; 8.1 per cent is added.
Acrylic on canvas with textile appliqué
Valuation no. 221-04/2026
CHF 15'000
Acrylic on canvas
Valuation no. 220-04/2026
CHF 60'000
Acrylic on canvas
Valuation no. 219-04/2026
CHF 110'000
Acrylic on canvas with textile appliqué
Valuation no. 218-04/2026
CHF 300'000
Provenance and the history of the work on film
A film is being made about each of the four works, going through the provenance and the history of the work in order: when it was created, what it shows, where it hung and which papers exist for it. The first is finished, the other three will follow.
The price depends on the format, the year of creation, the technique and the history of the work. Smaller formats are also available. Ask about them.
Terms of value
Three figures that must not be confused
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | The independent expert's assessment as at a given date, derived from comparable works. The appraiser has studied the work and the brand of Joe Muczka jr. closely for some time. A professional judgement, not an assurance. |
| Asking price | The price at which we offer a work. That is the figure shown above with each work. |
| Transaction price | The price at which a work actually changed hands. |
These three figures are not the same thing. The insured value is not a fourth figure, but the decision as to which of these values a work is insured for: the appraised value or the purchase price paid. Who decides varies: sometimes the insurer, sometimes the owner. That is examined case by case.
What the expert records about our works
A valuation exists for all four works. In all four cases the appraised value is higher than our asking price. We say it soberly: it is the assessment of an independent appraiser as at a given date, not an assurance and not a promise for tomorrow.
| Work | Appraised value | roughly equals | Asking price excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The brown appearance | 400'000 CZK | CHF 15'500 | CHF 15'000 |
| Rays | 1'560'000 CZK | CHF 60'600 | CHF 60'000 |
| Dragonfly | 2'990'000 CZK | CHF 116'200 | CHF 110'000 |
| Love of Freedom Until Death | 8'100'000 CZK | CHF 314'800 | CHF 300'000 |
Appraised values according to valuations no. 218-04/2026, 219-04/2026, 220-04/2026 and 221-04/2026, valuation dates April 2026, drawn up by a licensed appraiser in Prague. What counts is the amount in CZK recorded in the valuation; it applies to its own valuation date. The figure in francs is a conversion at the ECB reference rate of 16.09.2026, 1 CHF = 25.73 CZK, and serves only as a guide. For «Love of Freedom Until Death», valuation no. 218-04/2026 of 23 April 2026 applies; the German translation is available and states the same value as the Czech original.
Provenance
Provenance: why the papers count
Provenance is the traceable origin of a work: who created it, when, where it was exhibited, who owned it and how it changed hands. The more completely this chain is documented, the better a work can be assessed, insured and later passed on.
How much a documented chain is worth is shown by a case from 2023. The work «Rays» was, together with six further works by the artist, a group of seven works, stolen or unlawfully withheld. Through the swift intervention of the police and subsequent questioning and house searches, the paintings were secured and returned to their rightful owners.
The expert records the matter himself in the valuation of «Rays», no. 220-04/2026, and refers there to his earlier valuation no. 142-09/2024, with which he had to determine the amount of the damage in the course of the investigation. The matter is on record and verifiable. That is exactly the difference between a picture with a history and a picture with a claim.
What a documented chain looks like
Taking «Love of Freedom Until Death», work number 17B003, as an example: the work was created in 2017, is signed with the «jmj» monogram and measures 180 × 240 cm. It is executed in acrylic on a specially built canvas ground. Depending on the work, fabrics, cords and threads are worked into it, or cellulose paper that is stippled on with the brush and compacted into a texture. These grounds are part of his hand and can be felt on the original.
From the exhibition history recorded in the work dossier, the most important stations:
- 2017: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czernin Palace, Prague
- 2017: Porsche Arena, Stuttgart
- 2018: Pardubice Airport
- 2018: Kaiserstein Palace, Prague
- 2018: PVA Expo Prague, Muczka Hall
Further, smaller exhibitions have been added over the years. The list in the work dossier is continually extended.
In addition there is the transfer of the motif to other applications: carpets, textiles, wine labels and further products, recorded in the photographic documentation of the valuation. The artist carries this motif on his own business card; his attachment to this work is correspondingly close.
That is provenance: not simply a word, but a list of years and places that can be checked.
The process
From the conversation to the handover
View the work
In the Schwarzenbach studio, in the Prague studio or at one of our events. Without time pressure and without a sales pitch.
Examine the papers
You receive the certificate of authenticity, plus the work dossier, where it exists or at your request, and, if you wish, the expert valuation to look through. Take your time over it.
Written offer
The asking price is set out in writing, issued by JTP Active Invest AG. Transport and transport insurance are shown separately in it.
Transfer of ownership
After payment the work passes into your ownership, together with all the papers. The exploitation rights to the motif remain with the AG unless otherwise agreed.
Handover or storage
On request we deliver and hang it, or we store the work for you. Both are possible, neither is a condition.
Option
Storage in a bonded warehouse
If you do not wish to hang your work at home, we will store it on request in a designated bonded warehouse. Available are Zurich and Prague; further locations can be arranged on request.
Two conditions apply, without which we do not offer storage:
- You receive a confirmation of storage in your name. The work lies there as your property, not as ours.
- You have a right of visit. You can see your work there whenever you want, after notifying the warehouse in advance.
What storage is good for
A work in a bonded warehouse counts as not imported. As long as it lies there, no import tax arises. The tangible value remains entirely yours without your having to tax it. The work is also kept there under climate control, secured and insured.
Anyone who nevertheless wants to see their work every day has an option: by arrangement we provide, alongside the stored original, an art print that you hang at home. The original stays secured in the warehouse. This is worthwhile above all for the more valuable works and is agreed case by case, if applicable against a surcharge. Anyone who wants to use the motif beyond that acquires a licence of use for it.
If you take the work with you
Storage is an option, not a condition of the purchase. Only one thing needs to be borne in mind: Value added tax follows the country in which the work is held. If it stays in Switzerland, Swiss VAT applies. If it goes abroad, it falls away from the purchase price in return, and on import the levies of the destination country arise. We handle the formalities for you on request.
If a work remains in the bonded warehouse, no Swiss VAT arises. If it is taken out into Switzerland, the import levies arise; they are borne by the buyer. As long as the work lies in the warehouse, nothing changes about the ownership: it belongs to you.
How storage or an export is to be treated for tax purposes depends on the individual case and on the country of residence. We describe the usual course of events and do not replace tax advice.
Free of charge
Tangible asset or decoration: 12 points
A checklist to print out: the twelve points by which you can tell whether an original work of art is genuinely documented. Applicable with any provider, not only with us. That is the point of it.
You receive the checklist as a PDF and, in the days that follow, four short e-mails about the documentation of original art. Unsubscribe at any time with one click. We do not pass your address on. The checklist is currently available in German only.
The artist
Joe Muczka jr.
Born on 20 February 1971 in Opava. He came to art in his grandfather's studio; he has no academic training. In this field he is self-taught. His professional career began in 1996 as a street artist in Heilbronn, later in Stuttgart. At his first vernissage he sold a large part of his pictures.
Since then more than 500 vernissages and short-term exhibitions have been documented. In 2013 he received in Prague the award Golden Europea, in Czech Zlatá Europea, in the painting category, and is thereby a member of the Club of Laureates of the European Art Union.
Alongside painting he works on sculptures, vehicle and furniture design and on minting dies for silver coins and gold bars. His motif «Dragonfly», the work shown above, served as the model for an issue of 5'000 fine gold bars of one gram each.
In 2021 his digital work «The Right Direction», in German «Die richtige Richtung», was sold on an NFT marketplace for more than 45'000 US dollars. According to a report in Lidové noviny of 8 October 2021, that was a Czech record. What was sold was the digital file. Joe Muczka jr. additionally handed the buyer the physical original work, without having been obliged to do so: taking such a sum for an entry in a blockchain alone was uncomfortable for him. His yardstick is the tangible value you hold in your hand.
Where the representation comes from, with whom the rights lie and where we work is set out on the page Provenance, rights and location.
Contact
View a work or arrange an appointment
Give us a call. Thomas Schär, Chairman of the Board, answers the telephone himself. You do not need to know anything and do not need to prepare anything. The questions you have are the right ones.
+41 79 291 08 62
If nobody picks up, please leave a message on the voicemail. Thomas Schär will call back in any case.
In writing: info@jtpai.vip
In the existing shop at jtpai.vip you can see a selection of the works and can also acquire licences of use and order directly. The portfolio is many times larger than what is shown here. Joe Muczka jr. is constantly painting new works, including collections with several variants of one motif. Your own ideas are welcome.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What buyers ask us
What is an expert valuation?
An independent expert examines a work and records an appraised value as at a given date, together with details of technique, condition, dimensions and signature. The valuation carries a number and a date, with us for example no. 220-04/2026 of 21 April 2026. It also describes how the value was arrived at and names the comparable works that were used. So you see not just a figure, but the route to it.
Who values the works?
A licensed appraiser in Prague who is not employed by JTP Active Invest AG and has no economic interest in the sale. In his valuations he states himself that establishing authenticity is not his task. The artist issues a certificate of authenticity for that. The expert values, he does not sell.
Do I physically receive the work?
Yes. You acquire an original, and it is handed over or delivered to you. You can hang it at home, insure it and sell it again, like any other property. If you would rather store it, that is an option and not a condition.
What is provenance?
Provenance is the traceable origin of a work: who created it, when, where it was exhibited, who owned it and how it changed hands. The more completely this chain is documented, the better a work can later be assessed, insured and passed on. With us it is recorded in the work dossier. Young works often have no provenance yet. They simply have not been exhibited. That is not a defect but a question of time.
How does storage in a bonded warehouse work?
On request we store your work in a designated bonded warehouse; Zurich and Prague are available, further locations can be arranged on request. You receive a confirmation of storage in your name, and you have the right to visit your work there. Without these two points, the confirmation in your name and the right of visit, we do not offer storage. It is an option, not a condition of the purchase.
What does an original work cost?
The four works currently documented in full are priced at CHF 15'000, CHF 60'000, CHF 110'000 and CHF 300'000, in each case excluding VAT; 8.1 per cent is added. The price depends on the format, the year of creation, the technique and the history of the work. Smaller formats are also available. Ask about them.
Does the value of a work rise?
We do not know, and we do not promise it. What we can show is the appraised value as at a given date, established by an independent expert using the comparative method. That value is an assessment, not an assurance. Anyone who buys a work in order to count on that is buying for the wrong reason. Anyone who buys it because it moves them and because it is documented is buying for the right one.
What can be shown is the effect of the papers. An example outside our own holdings: the work «Karel IV. – Otec vlasti» of 2018, acrylic on canvas, 140 × 150 cm. In March 2021 it was sold to the Portu Gallery in Prague. The purchase contract records the work with an Asking price of 735'000 CZK excluding value added tax, that is around CHF 28'500. Five years later, on 18 March 2026, a licensed appraiser from Prague recorded in valuation no. 210-03/2026 an Appraised value of 2'940'000 CZK, around CHF 114'300. The valuation states this value as the customary market figure, without any indication of value added tax.
Those are two different quantities. The one amount is the price the purchase contract records for the work. The other is what a specialist assesses years later. They cannot be converted into each other, and they say nothing about how this or any other work will develop in future.
His derivation is revealing: comparing it with similar works he arrived at 2'350'000 CZK and raised that amount by 25 per cent. He justified the addition with, among other things, the certificate of authenticity on hand, the flawless condition and the publicly documented history of the work. So the papers are not an accessory. They show up in the valuation. The work does not belong to our holdings and is not for sale here.
Can I sell a work again?
Yes, it belongs to you. But we say openly where we stand: JTP Active Invest AG is active today in the first sale. We do not promise a buy-back, we do not broker a secondary market and we do not guarantee a price unless something else has been expressly agreed in writing. What makes a later sale easier for you are the papers: work dossier, certificate of authenticity, valuation and an unbroken provenance. That is exactly what they are there for.
How do I tell that a work is genuine?
Every work comes with a certificate of authenticity, which the artist signs by hand on the original. It carries a photograph of the work, the confirmation that Joe Muczka jr. created and signed it himself, your name and address as the owner, the title, the format in height by width, the year of creation, the certificate or work number, and the technique. Added to that is a short account of the artist and his career. The signature on the work itself consists of the «jmj» monogram and the year. In his valuations the expert states expressly that a certificate of authenticity on hand raises the value of a work, and that he declines a valuation if he has doubts about authenticity.
Can I view a work beforehand?
Yes, and we recommend it. The works are kept in the Schwarzenbach studio and the Prague studio; we arrange an appointment, or you see the works at one of our events. A selection is visible in the existing shop at jtpai.vip. That is a shop window for orientation, not the complete holdings.
How does the transfer of ownership work?
On request you first receive a written offer from JTP Active Invest AG. Once you have decided, we issue the invoice. After payment the work passes into your ownership; you receive the original, the certificate of authenticity, the work dossier, where it exists or is drawn up at your request, and, if you wish, the expert valuation. The contracting party is in every case JTP Active Invest AG. The exploitation rights to the motif, for print or advertising for example, remain with the AG unless otherwise agreed.
Who bears transport and insurance?
As a rule we bear transport and insurance up to the handover. In special cases we settle it in the offer and show it separately there. After the handover you insure the work yourself, either for the appraised value or for the purchase price paid. The valuation serves your insurer as the basis for this.
Can I acquire several works?
Yes. Individual collectors own several works, some from the same group of works. Talk to us if you would like to build up a series. Joe Muczka jr. also works in collections with several variants of one motif, from which a choice can be made. Also possible is a triptych, that is a three-part work created as a commission.
We are a company. Is there anything else for us?
Companies acquire original works from the existing holdings just as private buyers do, and licences of use for a motif are open to them as well. Beyond that there is a separate route: a commissioned work that takes up your corporate identity, with rights of use to the motif and an event for the handover. That is set out on the page Host and corporate art.
Who is JTP Active Invest AG?
A Swiss public limited company with its seat in Sursee, company number CHE-304.981.405. All rights to the work of Joe Muczka jr. lie with the AG. JTP does not sell precious metals and does not advise on investment matters. Where the representation comes from and where we work is set out on the page Provenance, rights and location.