Cowan’s Auctions Hires Former Museum Director Diane Wachs as Furniture and Decorative Arts Specialist
(October 31, 2006 – Cincinnati, OH) Cowan’s Auctions founder, Wes Cowan today announced the appointment of Diane Wachs as Cowan’s Furniture and Decorative Arts Specialist. A nationally recognized expert in American furniture, silver and 18th and 19th century ceramics, Diane will oversee Cowan’s three major annual Furniture and Decorative Arts auctions that attract bidders from around the world.
From 1994 to 2001 Diane was Executive Director of the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, KY where she oversaw all museum operations including administration, curatorial operations, educational programming and development. During her tenure she built the museum’s membership, researched and co-curated two exhibitions on Kentucky antebellum furniture and amassed the largest institutional collection of Kentucky silver. She also established the museum as Kentucky’s first Smithsonian Institution Affiliate.
Prior to joining Cowan’s, Diane was an independent curator appraising individual collections and estates and advising on purchases. She also previously held curatorial positions with King Manor (Jamaica, NY) and the O’Connell Gallery at Trinity College (Washington, DC).
Diane has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Kentucky and is a frequently requested speaker at antique events throughout the US. She’s the co-author of Tuttle Muddle: An Investigation of Kentucky Case-on-Frame Furniture Group and Fancy Forms and Flowers: An Important Group of Inlaid Kentucky Furniture. A Kentucky native, she holds a BA in English literature from Trinity College and an MA in the History of Decorative Arts from Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the Parsons School of Design in New York.
"We’re delighted and privileged to have Diane on board," noted Wes Cowan. "She’s knowledgeable, poised and dynamic. What more could we ask for?" The feeling is mutual as Diane interjected "I’ve been watching Cowan’s for years and have been so impressed by their growth. I can’t wait to get started."
About Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.
Cowan’s is one of the nation’s leader’s in the sale of Historic Americana, European and American Furniture, Decorative Arts, and American Indian Arts.
Cowan’s holds semi-annual sales of Historic Americana including important 19th century photographs, manuscripts and autographs, flags and patriotic textiles, political campaign ephemera, Civil War memorabilia, and items relating to the opening of the American West. Each sale attracts bidders from throughout the United States, generating over $1 million in sales.
American Indian Art is highlighted in two annual auctions that attract the nation’s top collectors and dealers. American and European Furniture, and Decorative Arts are offered three times annually in special cataloged offerings. Cowan’s also conducts two yearly sales of Historic Firearms and Militaria as well as an annual Toy and Antique Advertising auction. In recent years Cowan’s has established record prices paid for Midwestern furniture and other decorative arts.
Through its extensive mailing list of more than 10,000 collectors, dealers and institutional clients, each Cowan’s Auction attracts bidders from throughout the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Japan. More than 1,000 bidders typically participate in each sale. More information is available at www.cowanauctions.com.
Diane Wachs photo available.
Wes Cowan or Diane Wachs available for interviews.
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