NEW YORK – Gene Shapiro Auctions LLC on Manhattan’s Upper East Side announces Free Appraisal Wednesdays, beginning Aug. 31. The auction house is the only one in the United States specializing in Russian Art. At the same time, it maintains strong underpinnings of European and American art. GSA currently holds auctions twice yearly. Works of art consigned now will be placed in the November sale.
Gene Shapiro, founder and auctioneer, commented on the appeal of Free Appraisal Wednesdays. “Convenience is often the deciding factor in selling a work of art,” he said.
“Besides, we are always looking for the next big surprise—art that may have been undervalued previously but has since become desirable on the global art market.” Potential sellers need only look to the prominence of international buyers to understand the sea change that has affected the art market.
Among the items that command the interest of Gene Shapiro’s worldwide audience are Russian paintings, icons, porcelain, silver, enamels, bronzes, books and other Russian items. In addition, European art and applied arts, as well as American art, are staples of the GSA formula. Interested consignors are invited to bring any and all items for appraisal, regardless of where those items are from.
Recent successes achieved at Gene Shapiro Auctions include a 16th-century Russian icon of St. Nikolai Chudotvorets and St. Christopher that commanded $33,600, an op-art painting by Colombian artist Omar Rayo that brought $19,200, and an Italian bronze by Antonio Pandiani that sold for $10,800.
At Free Appraisal Wednesdays, items can generally be brought in person for an appraisal on the spot, but can also be made by photographs. For large collections, Shapiro will also make on-site visits. He is of the old-school of belief that personalized service is the foundation for a successful relationship between consignor and auctioneer.
Free Appraisal Wednesdays are held at the Gene Shapiro Auctions gallery, 506 E. 74th St., from noon to 8 p.m. He is also available daily to speak with trust and estate managers, succession attorneys and private collectors wishing to consign.
In business since 2007, Gene Shapiro Auctions are conducted live in the gallery, by phone and absentee bid, along with live Internet bidding.
Gene Shapiro was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and raised in the United States. Having started his career at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, Shapiro worked as a private dealer in Russian art for many years before starting his auction house in 2007. His educational credentials include studies at the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Pennsylvania; Christie’s; and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. Shapiro is a licensed and bonded auctioneer in New York City.
Shapiro speaks frequently on the renaissance in Russian art, the breadth of Russian fine and decorative art and its importance to Russian culture and identity. His next talk is scheduled for the Salmagundi Club in October.
For more information about Free Appraisal Wednesdays at Gene Shapiro Auctions. or upcoming and past auctions, visit www.geneshapiro.com or phone 212-717-7500.