Cottone Auctions

About 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, the firm has earned a reputation for consistently offering museum-quality material at prices that attract both serious collectors and first-time buyers.

History

In 1979, while working a second job bagging salt at a mine in Retsof, New York, Sam Cottone started a small furniture refinishing business in Mount Morris. A regular at area farm and estate auctions, he drove around Western New York collecting pieces from prominent estates that had been in families for generations. He initially rented space from a local party house to conduct his own sales, then purchased a defunct car dealership in Geneseo, New York, and remodeled it into his permanent auction house and gallery at 120 Court Street, which remains the firm's home today.

Cottone Auctions now celebrates over thirty years in the auction business, conducting multiple major catalogued sales per year alongside regular estate auctions, with results that regularly compete with those of much larger urban auction houses.

Specialist departments

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. Other strengths include:

• American and European paintings by artists such as John F. Kensett, Orville Bullman, Emile Gruppe, and Walter Launt Palmer
• Bronzes by Harriet Frishmuth and Auguste Rodin, and glass by Rene Lalique
• Oriental rugs, and Chinese and Japanese art
• Fine estate jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and Asprey & Co., and silverwork by makers such as Paul Storr

The Geneseo area and the broader Finger Lakes region contain substantial estate wealth accumulated over generations, and Cottone has deep relationships with estate attorneys, executors, and families in the area, giving the firm early access to material.

Selling with Cottone Auctions

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. Seller commissions are negotiated case by case, and the firm is known for fair terms and transparent communication.

Buying and bidding

Buyers pay a buyer's premium 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 on third-party platforms pay a higher rate. Online bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, and Bidsquare, with absentee and telephone bidding accepted for all catalogued sales.

What sets Cottone Auctions apart

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

When was Cottone Auctions founded?

It was founded by Sam Cottone in 1985, after he started a furniture refinishing business in Mount Morris in 1979.

What does Cottone Auctions specialize in?

Tiffany Studios material, fine art, decorative arts, estate jewelry, silver, Oriental rugs, and Asian art.

Can I bid online at Cottone Auctions?

Yes, on all sales, through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, and Bidsquare, with absentee and telephone bidding also accepted.