This Auction Curated by Ken Fulk Might be Sotheby’s Most Covetable Collab Ever
ELLE DECOR A-List designer Ken Fulk has joined forces with Sotheby’s for its second chapter of Visions of America auction series, a week-long event comprising seven live and online auctions showcasing over 500 works this week in New York.
Fulk has curated an edit of 21 works that span more than 400 years of history. Each item highlights the cultural and artistic legacy of America, showcasing the heights of American craftsmanship. There are 10 paintings, including a 19th-century oil on canvas depiction of hummingbirds, and gold and purple orchids by Martin Johnson Heade that’s likely to bring in between $1.2 and $1.8 million.
There’s an Eanger Irving Couse painting of an indian chief starting at $80,000, and several portraits that date back to the early 1800s, depicting early Massachusetts residents. There’s also a framed American Valentine made from ink and watercolor on paper from the early 19th century, poetically inscribed, “The rose is red; The violet is blue; Sugar is sweet; And so are you.”
Of course, Fulk wouldn’t gather a selection of items defining American craftsmanship without bringing in furniture. He’s chosen a brown-painted “Nantucket” low Windsor armchair from the late 1700s. There’s also a rare Federal polychrome corner cupboard that appears to retain its original painted surface, estimated to sell for $25,000 to $35,000.
But the collection’s crowning gems are the various pieces of silver serverware, created by American silversmith Paul Revere II, the son of the Boston folk hero made famous for his midnight ride during the American Revolution. This teapot, on the block with a low estimate of $150,000 was made in the neoclassical style (its sister piece, a tea urn, is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art). There’s also a silver coffee pot, a punch bowl, and a helmet form creamer.
“Ken Fulk brings a unique perspective that blends history with modern sensibilities. His curation reflects his deep appreciation for Americana, storytelling, and innovation,” says Erik Gronning, Sotheby's head of Americana. “By combining historical significance with contemporary relevance, Fulk demonstrates that American art is a dynamic, forward-thinking narrative.”
It’s been a busy year for Fulk, who opened a brick-and-mortar store in Los Angeles last November. It’s yet another extension of his legendary design eye, as seen in his countless interior projects including a cinematically magical hacienda, a weathered Provincetown Victorian cottage made new again, and a bubblegum pink Bay area retreat.
This week-long event, the second annual edition of Visions of America, features auctions, exhibitions, and immersive experiences for the public to enjoy. “This year's sales invite reflection on how American art continues to shape global trends and inspire creativity, fostering a renewed sense of pride in America’s contributions to the world of art and design,” Gronning adds.
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