Market Report: Promising Signs

The Americana market reflects an expanding and more inclusive collector base

Joshua Johnson (ca. 1763-ca. 1824), Portrait of a Woman Canvas, 263/8 x 303/8 in. Framed, 311/4 x 351/4 in. From American Furniture & Decorative Arts, November 2024, Online, Skinner Marlborough, Massachusetts. SOLD: $165,600

Elizabeth Muir

Senior Specialist, American Decorative Arts and Americana
Bonhams, New York

The Americana market continues to thrive in several key categories. Most notably, there is an ever-increasing enthusiasm for diversity, particularly when it comes to Black artists. We have seen prices for works by 18th- and 19th-century makers such as Peter Bentzon and Joshua Johnson soar in recent years, which is a recognition of their exceptional craft long overdue. At Bonhams Skinner, I had the distinct privilege of handling a beautiful and delicate portrait of a lady by Johnson in our November sale. After a frenzy of bidding, the superb quality of the oil painting pushed the final result well above its estimate, ultimately achieving $165,000.

John Shearer (active ca. 1790-1820), Samuel Luckett Desk, Loudoun County, Virginia, 1810. From American Furniture & Decorative Arts, November 2024, Online, Skinner Marlborough, Massachusetts. SOLD: $58,880

A fine and rare Chippendale mahogany dressing table, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1760-75. From American Furniture & Decorative Arts, November 2024, Online, Skinner Marlborough, Massachusetts. SOLD: $19,200

This surge in interest in works by Black makers has been a welcome and exciting development. This shift reflects a larger transformation in the art market. Collectors and institutions are increasingly recognizing the rich history and talent of creators from diverse backgrounds, who have too often been overlooked or marginalized. The growing value placed on these artists’ works is a promising sign of change, reflecting an expanding and more inclusive group of collectors.

Additionally, I have also found the belief that there is a dearth of millennial and even Gen Z buyers and bidders for the Americana market to be a myth. Personally, I have seen a vibrant response from young collectors at auction. For example, in our last Americana sale, we saw a notable influx of young collectors who were passionate about the decorative arts. They are particularly drawn to livable works like antique furniture, prints and samplers that span a range of historical periods from the Federal to the Victorian era. For this collector base, Americana is more than just acquiring objects, it’s about forging a personal connection to the past that feels meaningful and relevant to their lives today.

Another area that continues to show growth is the market for Shaker furniture. This surge in interest has been particularly pronounced in response to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Shaker community in America which was celebrated last year. The simplified forms of Shaker furniture have a distinctly modern feel, which is one of the reasons it has earned a place within the broader 20th-century design community.

For example, a group of colorful painted boxes that sold for $9,000 at one of our auctions last year would pair beautifully with the striking furniture designed by Wharton Esherick or George Nakashima.

Nathan Moody (1769-1815), a rare early-American violin, Newbury, Massachusetts, 1787. From American Furniture & Decorative Arts, November 2024, Online, Skinner Marlborough, Massachusetts. SOLD: $10,240

Six painted Shaker boxes, late 19th- and early-21st century. Maple and pine-covered oval boxes, joined with wooden pegs and copper tacks, the smaller four individually painted red, dark green, blue, and yellow, second-largest with warm brown stained surface, and the largest, a reproduction marked by Orleans Carpenters of Orleans, Massachusetts, From American Furniture & Decorative Arts, November 2024, Online, Skinner Marlborough, Massachusetts. SOLD: $8,960

Finally, I think that the greatest asset of the Americana market is its storytelling. In an age where so much of our lives are lived online and our interactions are increasingly digitized, Americana offers a refreshing contrast. The tactile, handmade nature of many of the objects reminds us of a time when craftsmanship was paramount. From works like an incredible Samuel Luckett desk, which was signed over 18 times by its maker John Shearer, to the second oldest known American violin, we continue to see at Bonhams that works with a story behind them are desired and they highlight the enduring appeal of Americana in the 21st century.

Americana is an evolving market that connects the past with the present, and it is clear that both new and traditional collectors are drawn to the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of the American Decorative Arts. —

Bonhams
580 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
(212) 644-9001, www.bonhams.com