NY Americana Week Preview

Major New York auction features American culture and history.

CHIPPENDALE: American craftsmanship shines in this Searls family Chippendale highly inlaid cherry wood and mahogany chest of drawers, Massachusetts, circa 1800, estimated at $250,000 to $700,000. Courtesy of Sotheby's

NEW YORK—American culture and history are on sale next month at New York’s major auction houses during Americana Week 2011.

From Jan. 18 to 25, Sotheby’s and Christie’s will be offering a variety of important pieces, including a 1770 engraving by Paul Revere (estimated at $150,000 to $200,000), depicting the Boston Massacre and presaging the American Revolution. Also included is a rare Native American deer-hide shirt, circa 1740 (estimated at $250,000 to $300,000).

Sotheby’s Silver

Sotheby’s sales begin Jan. 21 with the Important Americana sale. On Jan. 22, the auction house will offer important Americana from a private collection, which features American furniture and clocks and Paktong and English pottery. On Jan. 23, Sotheby’s will offer property from the Hascoe Family Collection, described as important American and English furniture, fine and decorative arts.

All Americana Week sales will open for exhibition at Sotheby’s York Avenue Galleries on Jan. 15.

The first day of the sale offers silver, prints, and Chinese export porcelain. The silver sale includes The Joseph Jefferson Cup: A Massive American Silver Presentation Cup, modeled by W. Clark Noble, Cast by Gorham MFG. Co., Providence, R.I., 1895–1896 (estimated at $100,000–$200,000).

Joseph Jefferson is considered a popular American actor of the stage in the 19th century.