Bard Graduate Center students had the wonderful opportunity to study and handle objects from several important collections at Sotheby’s American sales on Friday, January 15. The day-long event was graciously organized by alum John Ward (MA 1998), Senior Vice President and Head of the Department of Silver. Capitalizing on these sales’ remarkable variety and quality, the nine students (along with Professor David Jaffee) were able to examine important furniture, silver, ceramics, needlework, and folk art from the collections of Irvin & Anita Schorsch at Hidden Glen Farms, Stephen and Petra Levin, and Roy and Ruth Nutt. Guided by Sotheby’s specialists in multiple areas and departments, students learned about techniques for determining authenticity, dating, attribution, condition and other issues important at an auction house.Following a pilot project adapted from Stanford’s Design School, the study day was organized as an informal “pop-up class” supplementing the regular curriculum. It also reflects Bard Graduate Center’s commitment to partnering with other New York institutions and providing direct access to objects of all kinds. Participants found the day valuable in both regards. As second year MA student Andrew Taggart explained, “The Sotheby’s study day was entirely rewarding. As a student interested in early American decorative arts, I gained a wealth of insight after listening to the department specialists on subjects ranging from silver to folk art. The special preview of both the Schorsch and Levin collections was a real treat.” Second-year student Caroline O’Connell agreed: “It was a privilege to be able to touch and engage directly with the objects, from English embroidery to early American silver, as well as to learn from passionate specialists and true lovers of Americana.”

Bard Graduate Center thanks John Ward and all his generous colleagues for a great day at Sotheby’s.