Willis Henry Auctions, Inc. is a Massachusetts based auctioneer of antiques and fine art that has been conducting sales in a wide variety of categories for over forty five years. During this time, the company (proprietors: Willis & Karel Henry) has gained an international reputation for expertise and successful sales, and in turn has seen its catalogs become research tools for collectors, dealers and scholars alike.
Shaker
Each year, Willis Henry Auctions holds a special auction of Shaker-made items including furniture, accessories, tools, manuscripts and art. These sales have garnered international attention and have generated several world record prices. In 2006, a Shaker work counter made by Brother Orren Haskins achieved the current world record price for a Shaker item with a total price of $491,400. This beat the previous record price of $220,000 for a Shaker work counter sold by Willis Henry Auctions in 1990. Also in 2006, we set the world record price for a Shaker oval box with a total price of $105,300. A Shaker manuscript written in 1842 set another record when it received a winning bid of $17,050. Such results have established our firm as leaders of the Shaker market.
Fine Americana
In addition, the company conducts several sales each year featuring fine Americana. These sales contain a broad spectrum of American art, furniture and accessories from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. In 1996, an oil on canvas society painting by William Merritt Chase, c. 1895, enticed a final price of $265,000.
Ethnographic & Estate Sales
American Indian art auctions and ethnographic sales are also semi-annual events. Finally, estate sales featuring 19th century furniture and decorative accessories, including oriental rugs, fine paintings, porcelains, silver, and jewelry are held approximately every six months.
