Material Culture

With over three decades of experience in the fields of art, decorative arts and antiques from around the world, Material Culture applies its expertise to the appraising, consigning and selling of all kinds of artifacts from local, national and international consignors, including estates, private individuals, trusts, businesses, educational and cultural institutions. Located in Philadelphia, Material Culture prides itself on being a full-service auction house, with the ability to take on single items, collections, or entire estates, through the wide variety of auctions it offers. Material Culture's experience in the global market contributes to the strong showing of buyers overseas as well as domestically, with educated bidders from 30+ countries regularly participating in their high-energy sales.
Material Culture is dedicated to providing individualized attention to consignors, buyers and the artifacts up for sale throughout the entire auction process. The expert staff works to stay up-to-date on the developments of the global market, and applies experience, attention and care from appraisal to promotion. Consignors take note: Material Culture offers a no-surprises, competitive flat fee that takes into account all of the expenses associated with finding the best market for an item; there are no special charges for photography, internet listings, insurance, etc. Material Culture aims to exceed expectations and make the auction experience the best it can be for both consignors and buyers.
Material Culture’s exhibition galleries, nearly 20,000 square feet of naturally-lit space, are housed under the same roof as Material Culture’s 40,000+ square foot retail space and cafe, at 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, located off the Roosevelt Expressway, only 10 minutes from Philadelphia’s city center. This location is an easy, quick distance for either visitors or residents of the area, an advantage over auction houses far from a large metropolitan center. At the same time, this location provides spacious, hassle-free parking facilities, avoiding a problem that can plague auction houses in dense urban areas. Both exhibitions and auctions take place in Material Culture’s dedicated spaces, and participate in Philadelphia’s status as a city of the arts. Material Culture has always believed that art is for everyone, and aims to make participation in the auction business easier and more accessible to a spectrum of art lovers, for the convenience of the local community, and to the benefit of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Upcoming Auctions from Material Culture
Bidder Reviews for Material Culture (617)
4.6 out of 5.0 Stars
8 Latest Top ReviewsSee All
MegParkville, MD
May 16, 2022
Totally Charming Naive Animal Figures
I have purchased several items through Material Culture, and my experience has been good. Sometimes they are not on target with cataloging, but they auction diverse items and cannot know everything. I bought this lot on a whim, and they are not African animals/pipes as described but rather South American in origin. No matter because they exceeded my expectations and are utterly charming and fun. I just love them. They are not what I usually collect, but you can take a chance with Material Culture and end up with really cool stuff, plus they always answer pre-auction questions promptly.
PaulFramingham, MA
Apr 27, 2022
Responsive to Questions
This was the first time I've used Material Culture and my experience was good. They were responsive to my requests to measure the item, as I was deciding to pick it up or ship it. Excellent service, everything went smoothly even though I changed my mind in the process.
JillCanfield, OH
Apr 17, 2022
Wonderful Experience!
Everything went smoothly. The shipping company was fantastic, AJ at the Packaging Store. I couldn't believe how beautifully they packaged the item. It was shipped in a timely fashion too. Everyone I spoke with were pleasant and professional. Would love to do business with all again.
AliciaRanchos De Taos, NM
Apr 17, 2022
Philadelphia Mailroom disappointing
Material Culture has great items for sale, but I live in NM and shipping takes away from the bargain. The Mailroom estimated a $59 shipping charge but when all was said and done, it was $30 more. I had asked them not to use Styrofoam peanuts, but they used them anyway. Instead of stacking the masks with tissue paper between, they laid them side by side, each wrapped in about 2” of bubble wrap. It’s not only costly, it’s a huge waste of resources. I’ve already abandoned one auction house with LiveAuctioneers because their shippers are excessively priced and don’t use recycled shipping materials. In this age of internet commerce, shippers will have to be more eco conscious in order to attract customers like me, and if it’s UPS or FedEx rules to blame, then they must ship USPS. VERY DISSATISFIED customer of Philly Mailroom!!
Ahmed Coral Springs, FL
Mar 17, 2022
Very knowledgeable and very courteous
Thank you Material culture and special thank you for Mr George
DennisFairfax Station, Virginia
Mar 16, 2022
Material Culture is one of my normal source for quality products.
I have purchased many items from Material Culture for many years. They normally sell very high quality consignments which is why I keep coming back to them. Great job indeed on this recent purchase. Thank you again.
Past Auctions from Material Culture
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Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 51Started May 26, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
BIG TENT: folk, tribal, asian + textile artsStarted Apr 29, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 50Started Feb 28, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Ethnographic, Folk, Asian & Tribal ArtStarted Feb 23, 2022 9:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 49Started Dec 15, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Hollander Collection | Chinese Minority ArtStarted Dec 08, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
The Cathryn Cootner Collection | Day 2Started Nov 15, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
The Cathryn Cootner Collection | Day 1Started Nov 14, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 48Started Oct 28, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Ethnographic, Asian, Ancient & Textile ArtsStarted Sep 29, 2021 9:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 47Started Aug 26, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
August Arts | Fine, Folk, OutsiderStarted Aug 19, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Ethnographic, Ancient, Tribal & Textile ArtsStarted Jul 08, 2021 9:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 46Started Jun 14, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Ethnographic, Tribal, Folk and Textile ArtsStarted Apr 21, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Oriental Rugs from American Estates | 45Started Mar 31, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Ethnographic, Tribal, Asian and Textile ArtsStarted Feb 25, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Philadelphia, PA, USAuction Ended
Record Auction Results for Material Culture
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