Museum Services
Freeman’s provides our institutional partners with a dependable platform to connect to the global art market.
Museum Services
Freeman’s Museum Services department is privileged to work with many important institutions throughout the United States and internationally. Whether assisting with valuations, deaccessions, acquisitions, or market insight, we are committed to achieving the highest levels of success for our institutional partners.
Each institutional client receives direct access to a dedicated team of experts, each with specialized expertise and scholarship, in a broad range of categories from Post War & Contemporary Art, Modern Design, and Furniture & Decorative Arts, to Antiquities & Ancient Art, Native American Art, and Books & Manuscripts. Freeman’s team is fully equipped to assess and advise on collections of all sizes and genres. From national art museums to local historical societies, we provide a full suite of confidential and expert services catered to the unique needs of both public and private institutions.
17th-18th Century Sold for $18,750
Who We Serve
Museums
Universities & Schools
Libraries
Historical Societies
Historic Buildings & Homes
Artist’s Foundations
Nonprofits
Greek Gem, Enameled Silver, and Olivewood Cross
Property from the Knox Collection of Alma College, Sold to Benefit the Annie Reid Knox Fund
PAINTING
Friedel Dzubas Lago, 1979 Sold for $59,375
Property from Palm Springs Art Museum Sold to Support the Care of Collections and the George Montgomery Fund for Acquisitions
What We Offer
Freeman’s understands no two organizations are alike. Therefore, we craft individualized plans to help each museum, library, or historical society realize their unique goals. Our Museum Services department offers appraisals, collection assessment, and strategic guidance in both public auctions and private sales. We utilize our decades of experience to develop solutions and guide the process every step of the way.
FREEMAN’S APPRAISALS LLC
Freeman’s Appraisals has provided institutions, museums, estate and tax professionals, private collectors, and insurance professionals with comprehensive appraisal services, including valuation, auction, private sales, and collection management, as well as disposition and acquisition advice for nearly four decades. As a result of our experience and reputation we have had the privilege of working with many prominent estates and collections from distinguished museums, institutions, corporations, and private individuals from across the country. Our team of specialist appraisers conducts appraisals in accordance with the most recent Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) standards. The appraisal reports comply with the Internal Revenue Service guidelines, meeting the needs of tax and estate planning professionals according to industry standards. Our services include but are not limited to providing fair market value appraisals for donation purposes, conducting replacement value appraisals for insurance purposes, and responding to client email inquiries about the potential value of items. We offer the highest level of scholarship and a strict policy of confidentiality.
COLLECTION ASSESSMENT
Freeman’s assists institutions with the sensitive process of reshaping their collections, from the review of a single artifact, targeted archive, or an entire collection. This confidential process includes deaccessions, acquisitions, and other activities meant to achieve institutional goals and increase visibility. We acknowledge that libraries, museums, and historical societies are constantly evolving as new artists, movements, and markets gain relevance, and as organizations rethink their collections. We advise on the salability and market appeal of property and the general state of the art market.
MULTIPLE BUYING & SELLING OPTIONS
Freeman’s will maximize the potential of any property entrusted to us for either auction or private sale. Our Senior Specialists and Department Directors have an average of 15 years of experience and scholarship in their respective fields and understand the nuances of the art and collectibles market. We make it our priority not only to achieve the highest possible prices on behalf of our institutional partners, but also to work collaboratively to make the full consignment process as straightforward as possible.
We understand the challenges institutions may face when contemplating deaccessions including managing internal and donor stakeholders and complying with AAM protocols. With decades of experience working in the museum field, Freeman’s dedicated Museum Services department will serve as a single point of contact for your organization, streamlining the entire process.
Our team assists institutions with filling any gaps in their collection by advising on both public and private acquisitions. We are also sensitive to timing issues unique to institutions and will work to provide substantial notice when relevant material appears on the market publicly.
NAGPRA & ARPA GUIDANCE
Staff in Freeman’s Native American Art department have over two decades of experience helping institutions comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 as well as the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1977. When applicable, Freeman’s can provide institutional clients advice and assistance with the repatriation of sensitive cultural items.
EVENTS & PROGRAMMING
Freeman’s provides a range of bespoke programming designed to suit the individual needs of our institutional partners. Our specialists regularly participate in virtual and in-person lectures and panels at museums, universities, and other institutions. Our accomplished team of auctioneers frequently supports our charitable partners by advising and serving as auctioneers helping to raise funds in support of various causes across the country.
Martin Wong Persuit (El Que Gane PierdeHe Who Wins Looses), 1984
Sold for $1,100,000
Property from the Rumsey Hall School, Washington Depot, Connecticut
Property Purchased by Art Bridges Foundation
Sèvres Porcelain Covered Jar 19th Century Sold for $3,125
Property from the Knox Collection of Alma College, Sold to Benefit the Annie Reid Knox Fund
Karl Wirsum Any One? Ten Is!, 1979 Sold for $56,250
Property from the Roger Brown Collection at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, New Buffalo, Michigan, Sold to Support the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scholarship Fund
ACADEM IC RESEARCH & LOAN REQUESTS
Freeman’s firmly believes in shared knowledge. In consultation with our institutional partners, we readily provide use of images and information to academics for research and articles. Further, we have fostered strong relationships with buyers and sellers around the world, and will contact these individuals for potential exhibition loans on behalf of an institution.
Madame Grès Haute Couture Top 1960s Sold for $2,835
Property from a Midwestern Institution
Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Veiled Woman Circa 1st Century A.D. Sold for $40,950
19th Century
Sold for $7,500
French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Portico Annular Clock
Property from the Halim Time & Glass Museum, Evanston, Illinois
Eugène Atget
Square Notre-Dame, 1926
Sold for $7,500
Property from The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Carleton Watkins
Yo-semite Valley: Photographic Views of the Falls and Valley of Yo-semite in Mariposa County, 1863
Sold for $93,750
Property from Westerville History Center and Museum
Institutional Partners
Here, we outline some of the institutions who have chosen Freeman’s as a partner, for which we have use of name.
MUSEUMS
Akron Art Museum
American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
Appleton Museum of Art
A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art
The Art Institute of Chicago
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Booth Western Art Museum
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum
Dayton Art Institute
Dennos Museum Center
Detroit Institute of Arts
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Figge Art Museum
Halim Time and Glass Museum
Headley-Whitney Museum
Heritage Museum of Asian Art
High Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida
Museum of Wisconsin Art
Muskegon Museum of Art
Naples Art Institute
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Palm Springs Art Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum
The San Diego Museum of Art
Spertus Museum, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
The Strong National Museum of Play
Terra Foundation for American Art
Toledo Museum of Art
Tucson Museum of Art
Yellowstone Art Museum
SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES
Alma College
Columbus College of Art & Design
Grinnell College
Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University
Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lake Forest College
Loyola University Chicago
MacMurray College
Mark R. Shenkman Reagan Research Center & Archives at Eureka College
Mrs. Sam Gladys Manuelito Sandpainting Weaving Sold for $27,060
Deaccessioned from the Hopewell Museum, Hopewell, NJ; Collected and Donated by Dr. David B. Hill
May Weber Anthropology Study Center at Loyola University Chicago
Millikin University
Monticello College Foundation
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Olivet College
Rockford College Art Museum
Rumsey Hall School
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Southern Illinois University
University Archives at Illinois Institute of Technology
University of Chicago
University of Denver
University of Wisconsin
Webster University
Wright Museum of Art at Beloit College
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES & HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Chicago Historical Society
Cincinnati Historical Society Library
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Couse-Sharp Historic Site
Edith Farnsworth House
Genesee Country Museum
Glencoe Historical Society
Glessner House Museum
Highland Park Historical Society Museum
Historic Edwards Place at the Springfield Art Association
Historic Herman and Claudia Uihlein Mansion
Historic Lucindia Home
Historic Schweppe Mansion
Historic Sengen House
Historic Sword Gate House
Humphrey Memorial Park and Museum Collection
Louis F. Swift House Designed by Howard van Doren Shaw
Minnesota Historical Society
Missouri Historical Society
Pike County Nature House, Inc.
LIBRARIES
DeKalb Public Library
Elm Grove Public Library
Galter Library of Health Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Johnson Publishing Company Library
Lake Forest Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Newberry Library
Petrie Institute of Western American Art at the Denver Art Museum
Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, The Art Institute of Chicago
Westerville History Center and Museum
Whitefish Bay Public Library
ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Adams County Arts Council
American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Audubon Randall Davey Center Center on Halsted, Chicago
Chicago Botanic Garden
Christ Church, Winnetka, Illinois
Collection of the Valley of Milwaukee, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Dancers’ Workshop Jackson, Wyoming
Des Moines Art Center
Ebony Fashion Fair Archive
Evanston Art Center
Friends of the Teton River
The Geoffrey Beene Archive
Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Missouri Athletic Club Foundation for the Arts
National Council for Jewish Women
New College Foundation, Sarasota, Florida
Porchlight Music Theatre
Renée Fleming Foundation
Saint Louis Zoo Association
Saugatuck Center for the Arts
School Sisters of Notre Dame
School Sisters of St. Francis
The Sisters of Charity, Mount Saint Joseph
SITE Santa Fe
St. John’s Hospital Foundation
Union League Club of Chicago
U.S. Children’s Center on Historical Education and Advocacy
Sold for $37,500
Deaccessioned from the Boca Raton Museum of Art to benefit the Acquisitions Fund
After Agasias of Ephesos (Greek, active 100 BC)
The Borghese Gladiator 19th Century
CASE STUDY:
The Strong National Museum of Play
Freeman’s proudly offered property from The Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York in a single-owner auction entitled “Strong Diversions: Property from a Lifetime of Play.” Largely comprised of objects from the personal collection of the Museum’s founder and celebrated philanthropist, Margaret Woodbury Strong, the compelling story and desirable provenance drove the sale to skyrocket past pre-sale expectations. A lifelong explorer, she acquired fine objects including a Yongzheng mark and period bowl, a delicate selection of jade snuff bottles and jewelry, and a range of playful animal-form objects throughout her travels in China and Japan.
100% SOLD BY LOT 212% SOLD BY VALUE 165% ABOVE ESTIMATE
Two Chinese Amber Carvings and An Agate Carving of Double Fish 18th Century Sold for $62,500
Japanese Gold, Red, and Black Lacquer Three-Case Inro
Signed Shokasai, Edo Period, 19th Century Sold for $16,250
CASE STUDY:
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science
In June 2022, Freeman’s was honored to handle the sale of The Wildlife Experience Collection with proceeds to benefit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The auction featured over 100 wildlife paintings and sculptures by internationally acclaimed nature artists such as Robert Bateman, John Banovich, John Seerey-Lester, Morten Solberg, Kent Ullberg, Bart Walter, Gerald Balciar, Kenneth Bunn, and Veryl Goodnight, among others.
The sale was a resounding success—it was 100% sold by lot and 198% sold by value. The top lot of the auction, Simon Combes’ Tension at Dawn, far exceeded pre-sale expectations selling for $100,000.
Simon Combes Tension at Dawn, 1984 Sold for $100,000
Daniel Smith
Denizen of the Mist, 2002 Sold for $23,750
CASE STUDY:
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Since 2020, Freeman’s has been honored to sell over 460 lots of fine art and design ranging in value from $500 to $40,000 on behalf of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields to benefit their acquisition fund. Thus far, the property has achieved over $700,000 at auction against an estimate of $299,760-486,230— 45% above the high estimate. The Museum’s consignments have included multiple genres such as American and European fine and decorative arts, jewelry, timepieces, and couture.
Corneille (Cornelis van Beverloo) Souverainement l’Ete . . ., 1962
Sold for $28,125
Continental Carved Marble Urn
Plinth signed G. Ferrari 19th Century
Queen Anne Giltwood Side Chair Circa 1710
Sold
Fritz Koenig Schaukel, 1961 Sold for $81,250
CASE STUDY:
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Between 2019 and 2022, Freeman’s partnered with the Boca Raton Museum of Art to offer 379 lots of deaccessions with the sale to benefit their Acquisitions Fund. Our team delivered a $902,780 hammer with a 93% sell-through rate against an initial total estimate of $583,500. Highlights from the museum’s collection included a Friedal Dzubas painting, estimated at $40,000-60,000, that sold for $137,500, a Paul Jenkins painting, estimated at $20,000-30,000 that sold for $56,250 and a monumental work by Post-Minimalist artist Alan Shields estimated at $3,000-5,000, that sold for $43,750—a world record for this artist at the time of sale.
Friedel Dzubas
Further Land, 1986
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $137,500
Paul Jenkins
Phenomena Prism Harp, 1983
Estimate $15,000 - 25,000
Sold for $56,250
About Freeman’s
Freeman’s is one of the fastest growing auction houses in the United States. With offices and salerooms throughout the country, Freeman’s conducts over 140 auctions annually in all major collecting categories, while offering buyers and sellers an exceptional experience across multiple selling channels and price points. Freeman’s team of experts maintains the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the industry. Driven by a client-first approach, Freeman’s provides collectors, fiduciaries, and institutions with a comprehensive suite of services including auctions, appraisals, private sales, and collection assessment.
Bringing together the heritage of Philadelphia’s oldest auction house with the expertise of Hindman Auctions in Chicago and Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati, Freeman’s provide auction, appraisal, private sale, and art advisory services across 16 locations, including six salerooms—the most of any U.S. auction house.
18 Karat Yellow Gold, Plique-a-Jour, Diamond, and Cultured Baroque Pearl Pendant/Brooch,1910 Sold for $8,750
Property from the Estate of Herta Cuneo, Sarasota, Florida Sold to Benefit The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Ref. 178288 ‘Datejust’ Wristwatch, Rolex Sold for $16,250
Property from the Estate of Herta Cuneo, Sarasota, Florida Sold to Benefit The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
American Art
European Art
Antiquities & Ancient Art
Arms, Armor & Militaria
Books & Manuscripts
Chinese Paintings & Works of Art
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian
Works of Art
Japanese & Korean Works of Art
Clocks, Barometers & Scientific Instruments
Coins, Medals & Banknotes
Fine Silver
Furniture & Decorative Arts
Historic Memorabilia
Jewelry
Watches
Luxury Handbags & Couture
Modern Design
Native American Art
Objects of Virtue
Pennsylvania Impressionists
Photographs
Post War & Contemporary Art
Prints & Multiples
Rugs & Carpets
Sports Memorabilia
Western & Wildlife Art
Baga Wood Nimba Mask or Headdress Guinea, West Africa, 19th-20th Century Sold for $3,750
Property from the Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, Iowa
American Molded-Glass Flask, 1824-1840
Sold for $40,625
Property of a Midwestern Institution
Local Connection, Global Reach
Freeman’s connects collectors across the United States and around the world through a seamless blend of local insight and international access. With the most salerooms of any auction house in the country and offices in 16 cities, we offer clients the benefit of deep local market knowledge paired with strong relationships with national and global buyers—ensuring optimal results at auction and in private sales.
ENGAGING COLLECTORS NATIONWIDE
Our specialists connect with collectors through curated events across the country—from guided previews and panel discussions to private dinners and exclusive gatherings. Hosted in Freeman’s offices and distinguished venues, these programs often coincide with major art world events like Asia Week and Americana Week, positioning us to engage top collectors from around the globe.
EXPANDING GLOBAL REACH
Freeman’s digital platform attracts international participation, with bidders from 97 countries and over 1 million website visitors from 170 regions in 2024.
Strong engagement from the UK, France, mainland China, and Hong Kong underscores our global presence.
DRIVING RESULTS THROUGH STRATEGIC MARKETING
Our integrated marketing approach combines editorial storytelling, digital advertising, social media, and email campaigns to maintain a global dialogue with collectors—maximizing visibility and performance for every auction.
10.4M BY THE NUMBERS
Our Team
Timothy Long
Vice President, Museums, Corporate Clients & Third-Party Referrals
312.334.4222
timothylong @freemansauction.com
Timothy joined Freeman’s in 2018. He brings decades of experience working in museums in the United States and United Kingdom. Timothy is currently a George Washington Mount Vernon Fellow (2023-25) and a former curator at the Museum of London and Chicago History Museum. During his tenure in museums, Timothy oversaw the day-to-day management and acquisition and deaccession activity of a variety of collections, ranging up to 50,000 artifacts. Timothy’s international curatorial work has seen the development of over twenty exhibitions in several museums, including the Chicago History Museum, Museum of London, Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the San Diego History Center. Timothy is the author of several publications, including a monograph published through V&A Publishing and an article in the British Museum Technical Research Bulletin.
Emmelly Villagran
Junior Associate, Museums, Corporate Clients & Third-Party Referrals
312.600.6075
emmellyvillagran
@freemansauction.com
Emmelly Villagran is a Junior Associate at Freeman’s working with museums, corporate clients, and third-party referrals. She brings four years of experience in the Chicago arts industry, with a professional background shaped by museum and academic environments.
Emmelly holds degrees in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and New York University. Her work supports institutional partnerships and client relationships across a range of museum and corporate projects. She approaches her role with a strong interest in collections, research, and collaborative engagement within the arts sector.
Molly Morse Limmer Deputy Chairman
312.447.3275
mollylimmer @freemansauction.com
2020 bringing with her close to 30 years of auction house experience. Her career spanned two decades at Christie’s auction house, including 17 years in the New York office serving as Vice President, Senior Specialist and Department Head for antiquities. Following her move to Chicago, she served as Vice President, Business Development for Christie’s Midwest Regional Office. Most recently, Molly spent close to five years owning and operating 2050 Art Services, a premier art and antiquities appraisals and advisory consultancy firm. Molly holds a master’s degree in Greek and Roman art from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and a B.A. in classics and art history from Brown University.
Tim Luke
National Managing Director, Freeman’s Appraisals, LLC
561.334.4235
timluke
@freemansappraisals.com
Tim Luke joined the firm in 2021, and has over 35 years of auction and appraisal industry experience. Most recently, he was an Executive Vice President and Senior Appraiser at Gurr Johns. Previously, Tim established and was President of his own auction, appraisal, and events business, TreasureQuest Group, Inc. in South Florida, for 20 years. Tim began his career at Christie’s in New York where he worked for seven years and served as Director of the Collectibles Department and Auctioneer. Tim has earned various appraisal and auctioneer professional designations, and is an AQB certified USPAP instructor. He is an active member of the National Auction Association (NAA) and is an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA).
Molly E. Gron J.D.
Managing Director, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients
312.334.4235
mollygron
@freemansauction.com
Joining Freeman’s in 2015, Molly has over 18 years of experience in the art and appraisal world, where she focuses her practice on managing and developing relationships with trust officers, fiduciaries, and estate planning professionals. Molly holds a B.A. from Villanova University, M.A. in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law concentrating her studies within the Center for Art, Museum & Cultural Heritage Law. During her tenure at the firm, she has worked with family offices, beneficiaries, and institutions in close coordination with Tim Luke, National Managing Director of Freeman’s Appraisals. Molly is frequently tapped as a speaker on a variety of topics around estate planning for tangible personal property.
