Wedgwood Carrara Figure of Milton, England, 19th century

Parian ware is a type of porcelain produced to imitate carved marble. As it could be cast and molded, the material was ideal for mass production at a scale and cost not possible with carved stone. Unglazed white bisque porcelain was popular in the late 18th century at the Sevres factory in France and Derby in England, each producing very sophisticated bisque figural groups. By the 1820s several other firms were in production, including Worcester, Rockingham, Coalport, and Minton.… Read More

Emily Stegner joined Skinner in 2021 as a European Furniture & Decorative Arts specialist, focusing on Fine Silver. She is responsible for cataloging, researching, and marketing a diverse array of objects for the European department. Before joining Skinner, Emily worked in Sicily as a Finds Specialist for the American Excavations at Morgantina: Contrada Agnese Project. She also had the pleasure of cataloging Historic Beverly’s archaeological collection to make it usable for research.… Read More

Pair of Staffordshire Bocage Cows, England, c. 1815-25 (Lot 401, Estimate: $500-700)

A bocage, says Wikipedia, can refer to a terrain of mixed woodland and pasture, a small forest or a decorative element of trees and leaves. English and continental porcelain figures of the eighteenth century often had trees and leaves, both as an ornamental and colorful backdrop to figures and importantly as an added stabilizer to support the figures during kiln firing. 

By the 19th century, the production and firing of English earthenware were far more consistent, and often these trees were added more for their ornamental appeal than necessity.… Read More

European Furniture & Decorative Arts in Boston on April 13

[BOSTON], MA – March 21, 2019 – Skinner will hold an auction on April 13, 2019, of European Furniture & Decorative Arts. With over 600 lots on offer, the auction features fine ceramics, silver as well as furniture & decorative arts from the 18th through 20th centuries.

Wedgwood & British Ceramics

Skinner is pleased to offer Milikins Collection of Wedgwood. Jeffrey Milikins began collecting while a graduate student in New York City.… Read More

Skinner welcomes Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas Inc. for a collaboration on the catalog for the October 13th European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction.

Auctions are incredible resources for interior designers and their clients. Nevertheless, for many people, the idea of buying at auction can be daunting. There is often great value to be found; however, there is also the commitment of purchasing something that is not returnable and that cannot be taken on approval to try in your home.… Read More

Skinner welcomes Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas Inc. for a collaboration on the catalog for the October 13th European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction.

Watch as Phillip works with Skinner department staff and photographers to create vignettes full of color, texture, and shape.

Vignette 1: Lips on White – view the lots that make up this catalog image

Vignette 2: Acanthus Stripe – view the lots that make up this catalog image

Vignette 3: Greek Key – view the lots that make up this catalog image

Read more about our design collaboration with Phillip Thomas.… Read More

Skinner welcomes Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas Inc. for a collaboration on the catalog for the October 13th European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction.

Phillip follows his guiding belief that the process of creating a home can and should be enjoyable for all involved. Since establishing his own firm in 2011, Thomas and his team have completed projects at many of the top buildings in New York City, and has worked with clients in Boston, MA, Newport, RI, and Southampton, NY as well as internationally.… Read More

BOSTON, MA – Skinner, Inc. presents an online auction of European Furniture & Decorative Arts in its Boston Gallery, with bidding open from April 2 through 13. Comprising over 600 lots and offering an expansive selection of fine silver, European furniture and decorative arts of the 17th through early 20th centuries.

Fine Silver

Over 250 lots of silver with a broad range of flatware and hollowware from the United States, England, and Europe.… Read More