Modern Design by a Mid-Century New Englander

A Lecture by Lucretia Giese

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23 | RECEPTION 5PM | LECTURE 6PM

RSVP ONLINE

This talk looks at some of the forces shaping mid-century modern design through the work of one mid-century New England practitioner, Henry B. Hoover.  Hoover is known today as an architect.  Less known is Hoover’s design work, which manifests itself in three ways.  As a residential architect, Hoover designed numerous houses in New England, including the first Modern house in Lincoln, MA, and pieces of furniture for his clients. … Read More

Red-painted and Decorated ‘Cohocksink Hose Company’ Parade Hat, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c. 1856 (Lot 519, Estimate $8,000-12,000)

Skinner’s upcoming August Americana auctions are comprised of a varied and interesting array of early American furniture, paintings, needle works, objects of historical interest, and maritime pieces. Totaling over 1300 lots, each object displays some alluring characteristic that makes it best in its class, whether it’s an 18th century New York Windsor highchair with fine blue-green paint (Lot 377, Estimated between $20,000-25,000) or a late 19th century cap gun toy with a humorous message (Lot 1344, $800-1,200).… Read More

In the face of an overall lukewarm spring art market season, a number of lots in Skinner’s May 13 Fine Paintings & Sculpture auction did outstandingly well. The strongest works spanned the 19th and 20th centuries and were spread out geographically across the globe, reflecting Skinner’s reach as an auction house with many areas of expertise.

Skinner is proud to announce its first sale of an oil-on-canvas work by Claude Monet, Study of Water/An Oil Study Fragment.… Read More

Isaac Witkin’s Jacob’s Dream, 1986, (figure 1)

I have a confession to make.  When you’re not shoveling it or raking it off your roof, the snow is actually beautiful. You may think I have an acute case of cabin fever, but let me explain before you deem me to be a total nut job.

I grabbed two young friends and my snow shoes and headed to the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on a snowy Thursday.  Many of the smaller works near the museum’s entrance were buried beneath mountains of the white stuff, but there was still plenty to see, and all of it was transformed. … Read More

Guest post by Derin Bray, author and guest co-curator of Bucket Town: Four Centuries of Toymaking and Coopering in Hingham, Massachusetts, June 21st, 2014 to January 18th, 2015 at Old Sturbridge Village

Round Canteen, by Elijah Burr, Hingham, MA. Made for the Boston Independent Fusiliers, ca. 1822. Courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village

Every curator has a favorite object. For me, it’s an entire group. Of the 180 finely crafted toys and woodenware currently on view at Old Sturbridge Village, I have found myself especially drawn to a display of brightly painted canteens.… Read More

51-case Superlot of Classified 2000 Bordeaux (Lot 137, Estimate $100,000-$150,000)

BOSTON, Mass. – February 10, 2013 – Skinner, Inc. will offer nearly 600 lots sure to please any palate during its Fine Wines auction on Tuesday, February 25. Presented in conjunction with Lower Falls Wine Company, this sale will offer both fledgling and experienced oenophiles the opportunity to bid on extraordinary selections of Bordeaux, Rhone, Burgundy, and more.… Read More

BOSTON, Mass. – October 29, 2013 – Skinner, Inc. will hold a Fine Wines – Online auction beginning November 6, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. EST and concluding on November 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. EST. With a broad spectrum of wines, beer, and spirits from across the globe, the auction offers an approachable selection and affords buyers the opportunity to discover the perfect complement to any holiday gathering. The online sale will attract both collectors seeking to broaden their cellar holdings as well as enthusiasts interested in ready-to-drink wines.… Read More

Guest blog post contributed by the family of Charles P. Fisher. The Estate of Charles P. Fisher will be offered at auction in Boston on October 27, 2013. 

An entry in Paul Revere’s waste book from 1772 records the sale of these silver casters to Robert Treat Paine (Lot 69, Estimate $75,000- 150,000)

Charles Paine Fisher, or Charlie, as we always called him, was a true Renaissance Man. He developed a plethora of interests and skills, ranging from music to silversmithy, and had a scholar’s thirst for understanding important objects that had descended in his family.… Read More

“Majoring” in Antiques, with a “Minor” in Dogs

Joshua Torrance, Executive Director of Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park, with Abigail, one of his three miniature schnauzers

I was fortunate to spend three days last week in Ellsworth, ME as Skinner’s representative at the Ellsworth Antiques Show. Over 800 people visited the show, which is held under a large tent on the grounds of the Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park, the show’s beneficiary.… Read More

Marie Keep with the Skinner banner at the Saturday night preview party for Wet Paint 2013 at the Newport Art Museum

Dashing a prior forecast of clouds and rain, Saturday broke bright and beautiful as artists throughout the Newport, RI area gathered up their paints, palettes, and brushes. They headed to favorite spots within the historic village and more far-flung rugged coast line to create works of art to offer at auction at Wet Paint, a highly anticipated event organized by the Newport Art Museum.… Read More