Cottone Auctions

Cottone Auctions is a nationally recognized auction house based in Geneseo, New York, that has spent four decades transforming from a small furniture refinishing operation into one of the most respected destinations for fine art and antiques in the northeastern United States. Founded by Sam Cottone in 1985 and rooted in a deep personal passion for the hunt—finding extraordinary objects hidden in the estates and collections of Western New York and beyond—the firm has earned a reputation for consistently offering museum-quality material at prices that attract both serious collectors and first-time buyers. Sam Cottone's story is a classic American entrepreneurial narrative. In 1979, while working a second job bagging salt at a mine in Retsof, New York, he started a small furniture refinishing business in Mount Morris. He was a regular at area farm and estate auctions, training his eye while scouring sales for antique furniture and works of art. Cottone would drive all around Western New York, collecting pieces from prominent estates that had been in families for generations. Initially, he rented space from a local party house to conduct his own sales. Later, he purchased a defunct car dealership in Geneseo, New York, and remodeled it into his permanent auction house and gallery. That facility, located at 120 Court Street, remains the firm's home today. Since those early days, Cottone Auctions has grown dramatically in both scope and prestige. The firm now celebrates over thirty years in the auction business, conducting multiple major catalogued sales per year alongside regular estate auctions. Its sales attract bidders from across the United States and internationally, with results that regularly compete with those of much larger urban auction houses. Cottone Auctions is particularly celebrated for its handling of Tiffany Studios material. Lamps, glass, and accessories by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios are perennial highlights of the firm's major sales, and Cottone has achieved impressive prices for rare examples that draw heated competition from specialized Tiffany collectors. The firm's expertise in identifying, researching, and presenting Tiffany material is a significant competitive advantage. Beyond Tiffany, the firm's fine art offerings include American and European paintings by artists such as John F. Kensett, Orville Bullman, Emile Gruppe, and Walter Launt Palmer. Decorative arts are another strength, with bronzes by Harriet Frishmuth and Auguste Rodin, glass by Rene Lalique, Oriental rugs, and Chinese and Japanese art regularly featured. The jewelry department presents fine estate pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Asprey & Co., and important silverwork by makers such as Paul Storr. This mix of fine art, decorative arts, and jewelry means that Cottone sales offer something for collectors across a wide range of interests and budgets. The firm's Western New York location is both a practical advantage and a distinctive part of its identity. The Geneseo area and the broader Finger Lakes region contain substantial estate wealth accumulated over generations—much of it in families connected to the region's industrial, agricultural, and academic history. Cottone has deep relationships with estate attorneys, executors, and families in the area, giving the firm first access to material that might otherwise never reach the auction market. For consignors, Cottone offers a welcoming and unpretentious process. The firm provides complimentary auction estimates and appraisal services, with no obligation to sell. Prospective sellers can bring items to the gallery, submit photographs online, or request an in-home visit for larger properties. The team works with individual collectors, estate professionals, and institutions. Seller commissions are negotiated on a case-by-case basis; the firm is known for fair terms and transparent communication. Buyers pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, typically in the range of 23 to 25 percent depending on the bidding channel. In-house and absentee bidders generally pay the lower rate, while online bidders using third-party platforms pay a higher rate. Complete fee schedules are published with each auction catalogue. Online bidding is available through platforms including LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, and Bidsquare. Absentee and telephone bidding are accepted for all catalogued sales. The firm has embraced online participation as a core part of its business, recognizing that its collector base extends far beyond Western New York. What sets Cottone Auctions apart is the combination of Sam Cottone's sharp eye for quality, a deep connection to the estates and collections of Western New York, and a track record of discovering and presenting exceptional objects that punch well above their regional origin. The firm regularly delivers surprises—lots that far exceed their estimates because Cottone's cataloguing and marketing bring the right material to the attention of the right collectors. Frequently asked questions include what Cottone sells (fine art, Tiffany Studios, decorative arts, estate jewelry, silver, Oriental rugs, Asian art), how fees work (buyer's premium of 23-25 percent; negotiated seller commissions), how to consign (complimentary estimate at gallery, online, or in-home), whether online bidding is available (yes, on all sales), and what makes Cottone stand out (Tiffany Studios expertise, Western New York estate access, and a consistent track record of exceeding expectations).