Mixed Media Textile Collage by Michele Samerjan

This is a complex, multi-layered mixed media assemblage by contemporary artist Michele Samerjan. The artwork is characterized by its use of diverse textures and materials, including silk textiles, hand-painted papers, and metallic elements. At the center is a focal point featuring an ornate gold-tone medallion or coin-like ornament, flanked by red fabric tabs and decorative metallic wings or scrollwork. A dark blue or black tassel hangs from the central ornament. These elements are layered over a background of horizontally striped textiles and rice paper. The central piece is bordered by a natural bamboo-like frame with dark corner accents, further set against a broad, highly textured green and gold border that mimics weathered stone or oxidized bronze. The entire composition is housed in a professional gallery-quality shadow box frame. The frame features multiple layers: a thin gold inner fillet, a dark navy blue mat, and a wide, wood-grain outer frame with a Greek key or geometric pattern along the inner edge. A prominent artist signature is visible on the right-hand side of the inner matted area. The condition appears to be excellent, with no visible fading, snagging of textiles, or damage to the protective glass and frame. The style is Asian-fusion contemporary, reflecting Samerjan's typical exploration of antique textiles and global artifacts reimagined into modern decorative art.

I have conducted a visual examination of this mixed media assemblage by Michele Samerjan. This work is a quintessential example of Samerjan’s Asian-fusion aesthetic, characterized by its meticulous layering of antique silk textiles, metallic ornaments, and hand-painted papers. The condition appears to be excellent; the textiles retain vibrant pigment, the metallic components show no signs of corrosion, and the shadow box framing—integral to the piece's preservation and presentation—is of high professional quality. Market demand for Samerjan’s work remains steady within the high-end interior design and contemporary decorative art sectors. Comparable sales in galleries and boutique auction houses typically range from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the size and complexity of the central artifact. This piece benefits from its ornate central medallion and the premium bamboo-style framing, which increases its desirability among collectors of global-influenced contemporary art. Limitations to this appraisal: As this evaluation was performed via digital imagery, I cannot definitively verify the age of the textiles or the composition of the metallic elements. Full authentication would require a physical inspection to confirm the artist’s signature and examine the reverse of the frame for gallery labels or provenance documentation. To ensure the highest valuation, I recommend maintaining the original protective glass to prevent UV degradation of the delicate silk fibers. No scientific testing is required at this time, provided the provenance can be established through a gallery receipt or certificate of authenticity.