Papermaking, calligraphy, illumination, paper marbling, and gold-tooled goatskin bindings define fine bookmaking and are generally associated with western and continental books. However, mastery of these book arts was transmitted to Europe through the Middle East during the Middle Ages. Although the Chinese pioneered papermaking and printing with movable type, in Medieval times, all roads from China to continental Europe passed through the Middle East and North Africa.… Read More
Perfectly timed for Father’s Day, graduation, and all of the festive occasions of summer, Skinner’s Gentleman’s Auction offers a wide variety of items that are destined to be favorite possessions. Some are practical, some are beautiful, and some are just plain fun. Many combine all these desirable qualities. All have been selected by Skinner’s specialists to intrigue and delight both purchaser and recipient. It is totally permissible for one bidder to fill both roles…
The online-only auction opens for bidding at 10AM on Thursday, June 1 with lots beginning a staggered close on Friday, June 9 at 2PM.… Read More
What are the Asian countries represented in the current auction?
Primarily China and Japan. We do have a very unusual piece from India: a dark wooden valuables chest with decorative straps around it—in the right space, it would be very dramatic (Lot 1520).… Read More
BOSTON, MA – Skinner, Inc. presents splendid rugs, carpets and textiles from the Caucasus region, Persia, Anatolia, India, Central Asia, and China at auction on Tuesday, April 25 at 12PM. Public previews will be held on Sunday, April 23, 12 to 5PM; Monday, April 24, 12 to 7PM; and Tuesday, 9 to 10:30AM.
Lawrence Kearney, Director of Fine Oriental Rugs & Carpets, notes that this auction includes three special collections with a preponderance of fresh-to-market examples of woven and embroidered artistry.… Read More
Collecting and playing with model trains has been a popular past time for over one hundred years. At the forefront of this train-crazed mania was Lionel Trains. These sturdily constructed toy trains were praised and collected for their life-like realism by adults and children alike. Originally marketed towards fathers and sons to promote bonding, electric trains started to emerge as a male-centric hobby. Mothers and daughters might be visible in their advertisements, but more as someone who could passively view the trains in motion instead of engineering them.… Read More
One of the largest nuisances in the field of numismatics is detecting counterfeits. Dealers and collectors alike can still find themselves susceptible to coins and currency meant to deceive. Everybody has a story from when they were duped or made mistakes regarding valuable pieces or even seemingly insignificant ones. Every now and then, we see counterfeit pieces brought in by consignors who are unaware of the item they have. Here are a few easy tips to make sure your coins are original.… Read More
Carson City Morgan dollars are some of the most iconic coins in American numismatics. The Morgan dollar series in and of itself is highly collectible, obtaining staggering prices for higher end pieces. However, coins from the Carson City Mint, bearing the “CC” mintmark, have always excited numismatists, especially Morgan collectors. The branch mint produced only thirteen years of Morgan dollars, while the whole series experienced twenty-eight years of issue.… Read More
MARLBOROUGH, MA – February 9, 2017 – Skinner, Inc. is hosting Discovery-Interiors, an online-only auction, running from February 9 through February 17. Interested bidders are invited to view items and meet with specialists in person on February 14 from 12-5 PM and on February 15 from 10 AM – 7PM or anytime online.
The auction features furniture, ceramics, memorabilia, Asian art, lighting, fine art, and textiles including:
♦ Over 100 lots of 18th, 19th, & 20th century timepieces including an E.… Read More
Skinner debuts an innovative online auction format with its Irresistible Unreserved auction that will run from January 5 through January 27.
In this auction, every lot will start at the same nominal bid of $10. Alexander Hamilton, the face of the auction and a man who cared greatly about value, would surely approve.
All of the items have been inspected, cataloged and valued by Skinner’s experts and have been judged to meet Skinner’s high standards regarding authenticity and condition.… Read More
A theme running through mid-winter celebrations across cultures is warmth and light, and the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is no exception. Celebrated each year for eight nights and days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah commemorates the fight for religious freedom led by Judah Maccabee against the Seleucid Empire. After the Maccabean victory, when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated, it was found that there was scant little oil left to fuel the Eternal Lamp.… Read More
