{"id":395,"date":"2025-01-20T14:00:23","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T19:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/2025\/01\/20\/collecting-focus-americana\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:47:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T20:47:16","slug":"collecting-focus-americana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-americana\/","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Focus: Americana"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. folk art and furniture bring history, craft and comfort to the home interior. A Sotheby\u2019s auction highlights rare finds<\/span>, writes Melissa Feldman<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Celebrated designer Ken Fulk guest-curates the pre-sale installation of \u201cVisions of America\u201d at Sotheby\u2019s New York. Photo: <\/span>Pascal Perich,<\/span> courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

After introducing the inaugural \u201cVisions of America\u201d sale and event series in 2024, dedicated to American artistry and craftsmanship, Sotheby\u2019s returns for the second edition this January. Offering over 500 pieces ranging from the 17th century to the present, the Americana program spans<\/span> furniture, folk art, portraiture, decorative arts, silver, fashion as well as maps, prints and even whiskey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have amazing folk art this year,\u201d says Caroline Tamposi, a specialist and assistant vice president of Americana at Sotheby\u2019s, about sale highlights such as portraits attributed to itinerant 19th-century artist Ruth Whittier Shute (and Samuel Addison Shute) and an early Edward Hicks painting in a decorative wood frame, \u201cWashington Passing the Delaware,\u201d 1817. Tamposi works alongside Erik Gronning, Sotheby\u2019s head of Americana, developing the department and coordinating sales such as the stellar collection from scholar and conservationist William K. du Pont in 2022, referred to as a \u201choly grail of Americana.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Star lots in this year\u2019s \u201cVisions of America\u201d series are being offered from major collectors, including Savannah-based architect Vance Peacock and New Jersey-based scholars Peter and Leslie Warwick. Peacock, along with Darren Bryenton\u2014his partner in business and life\u2014is letting go of select works from a vast collection of Americana accumulated over 20 years, much of which features in their 1850s townhouse in the Savannah historic district. At the architectural design firm (the duo runs with Susan Bayne; Peacock Bryenton Bayne), they also create stylish interiors that incorporate antiques. \u201cAmerican painted furniture and folk art from New England tend to bring the high-brow interior down to a more comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and livable interior space,\u201d says Peacock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Martin Johnson Heade, \u201cHummingbirds and Gold and Purple Orchids,\u201d circa 1875-83. Image courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI do find that folk art tends to be more forgiving when mixing with other styles,\u201d says Tamposi about integrating period pieces into a modern scheme. After hearing about Peacock and Bryenton\u2019s wish to downsize, Tamposi\u2014who describes the couple\u2019s eclectic style as \u201cfearless\u201d\u2014jumped at the chance to include rare items in her upcoming sale, all guest-curated by the celebrated designer and creative director Ken Fulk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fulk adds his own signature oeuvre to the pre-sale installation, on view January 17-24 at Sotheby\u2019s New York, by incorporating 18 of his personal favorite lots into an engaging arrangement. \u201cMy work has always been about creating experiences that transport people\u2014whether through a space, a moment or a story,\u201d says Fulk about his design philosophy, which encompasses chic interiors for hospitality, residential and everything in between. Fulk\u2019s choices include timeless objects like An American Silver Coffee Pot, 1770-75, by silversmith and <\/span>American Revolutionary War<\/span> folk hero Paul Revere II, alongside a grand Silver Bacchus Punch Bowl from Tiffany & Co., circa 1873.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Paul Revere II, An American Silver Coffee Pot, 1770\u201375. Image courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Tamposi explains her goal today is to inspire the younger collector\u2014after acknowledging a generational shift in collecting Americana that emphasizes an older demographic. \u201cI do think the shift is toward a more eclectic approach that aligns with collectors like Vance Peacock. People are going to buy from all categories to express themselves. If it\u2019s well made and you like the look, you should buy it,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fulk concludes, \u201cTo me, American innovation is about boundless creativity and the freedom to imagine the extraordinary. It\u2019s the ability to dream big, take risks, and stay true to your vision while embracing the diversity that makes this country so inspiring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about \u201c<\/span><\/i>Visions of America<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u201d Our Collecting Focus series also features expert advice on <\/span><\/i>wine<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span><\/i>watches<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span><\/i>historic books<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

U.S. folk art and furniture bring history, craft and comfort to the home interior. A Sotheby\u2019s auction highlights rare finds, writes Melissa Feldman Celebrated designer Ken Fulk guest-curates the pre-sale installation of \u201cVisions of America\u201d at Sotheby\u2019s New York. Photo: Pascal Perich, courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s After introducing the inaugural \u201cVisions of America\u201d sale and event […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770368,"featured_media":343338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1393],"tags":[1414],"class_list":["post-395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","tag-auction"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-6n","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":412,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-classic-cars\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":0},"title":"Collecting Focus: Classic Cars","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"At ModaMiami, RM Sotheby\u2019s will showcase an eclectic mix of motoring masterpieces and the shared experience that fuels car collectors worldwide, writes Thor Svaboe ModaMiami returns to the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Miami. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s While motoring is on the road to a more sustainable future, nothing can detract\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":428,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-sports-memorabilia\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":1},"title":"Collecting Focus: Sports Memorabilia","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a court-worn NBA jersey to signed soccer boots, the market for big-event mementoes is reaching new heights, says Jake Uitti Michael Jordan 1998 NBA Playoffs \u2018The Last Dance\u2019 Game Worn Jersey (detail) | Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2. \u00a9 Photo courtesy of Sotheby's Sporting artifacts are a booming market.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":387,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-2024-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":2},"title":"Significant Sales: 2024 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a US$74.25M sale in Palm Beach Florida, to a \u00a315.5M sale in London, England, here are ten of the top sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in 2024. Palm Beach, Florida Todd Peter, Frances Peter | Sotheby's International Realty \u2013 Palm Beach Brokerage, US$74.25M View Properties\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":411,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-in-tennessee\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":3},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands in Tennessee","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty has announced that Realty Center of\u00a0Chattanooga\u00a0in\u00a0Tennessee\u00a0has joined the network and its two offices will now operate as Horizon Sotheby's International Realty. 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Horizon Sotheby's International Realty, headquartered in\u00a0Chattanooga, will serve communities spanning from\u00a0Athens, Tennessee, to\u00a0Dalton,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":430,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-into-the-philippines\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":4},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands into the Philippines","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty today announced the opening of Philippines Sotheby's International Realty, marking its 18th\u00a0office in\u00a0Asia. The company is headquartered in the financial and commercial hub of\u00a0Makati. Leading Philippines\u00a0Sotheby's International Realty is\u00a0Catherine Ocariz-Florencio, a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of industry experience. As the 2019 president of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":415,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-january-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":395,"position":5},"title":"Significant Sales: January 2025 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a \u20ac$21M sale in Saint-Tropez, France, to a US$17.225M sale in Cambria, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in January. 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\"\"<\/a>The Hendrickson Family Pair of Queen Anne Paint-Decorated Side Chairs, painted by Daniel Hendrickson, Jr., circa 1770. Image courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n