The Museum Collection: Rare Art and Artifacts
The Museum Collection: Rare Art and Artifacts, Day One
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST
The Museum Collection: Rare Art and Artifacts Day 1 presents 260 lots of ethnographic works, antiquities, and traditional carvings drawn from a wide ranging collection. Pre Columbian artifacts form a major portion of the sale, including pottery vessels, figures, and ceremonial objects from across Central and South America. These works are joined by additional material from regions including Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
African art is strongly represented with carved masks, figures, and tribal sculptures, while Russian Orthodox icons and polychrome religious panels add another significant category. Spanish Colonial and Latin American devotional works, including carved santos and painted figures, contribute to the depth of religious and cultural material throughout the catalog.
The sale also includes American folk art and ethnographic objects alongside a wide range of carved wood figures and traditional sculptures. Across antiquities, tribal works, and religious artifacts, The Museum Collection offers a diverse and visually rich selection of historical objects spanning multiple cultures and regions.
Day One Featured Highlights
Several of the African and Egyptian artifacts originate from the private collection of the late William Hughes Hayden, a distinguished board member of the Museum for African Art (now The Africa Center). His long-standing commitment to the preservation and celebration of African cultural heritage is reflected in the exceptional pieces he assembled.
The Museum Collection: Rare Art and Artifacts, Day Two
Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST
The Museum Collection: Rare Art and Artifacts Day 2 presents 349 lots spanning fine art, ethnographic material, and historical objects from a wide ranging collection. Chinese works of art appear prominently throughout the catalog, alongside bronze objects, decorative pieces, and traditional forms that add depth to the sale.
Silver and metalwork are strongly represented with sterling silver objects, medals, badges, and other historical items. Coins and currency also form a notable category, with U.S. coinage and related material appearing across multiple lots, offering both collectible and historical appeal.
Fine art adds another dimension with oil paintings and a strong selection of hand colored engravings, including works after Mark Catesby. Across Chinese objects, silver, coins, prints, and paintings, Day 2 expands the scope of the Museum Collection with a diverse offering of historical and collectible material.
Day Two Featured Highlights
The Leica camera in this auction comes from the late Donald Harris, who carried it with him throughout his service in WWII. Using this very camera, Harris documented his experiences on the front lines, capturing a remarkable series of wartime images. Several of those original photographs are included within the lot, preserving both his eye and his history.