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

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

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

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

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. For beer connoisseurs, an exceptional section of Fine Ales will be available, in addition to a choice selection of spirits.… 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. 

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.

The Fisher family history is full of New England luminaries.… Read More

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

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.

Ellsworth is the nation’s longest-running summer antiques show, and the exhibiting dealers bring top-quality antiques, fine art and decorative accessories from as nearby as Ellsworth and Southwest Harbor and from as far as Millwood, VA.… Read More

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. Both last year and this year I was honored to be asked to auctioneer for the event.… Read More