History by the Bottle

When someone says "old world wine," most of our minds turn immediately to France. But while storied French winemakers pick, ferment, and bottle in the old, time-honored ways year in and year out, history marches on.

Infiltrating the Mainstream: How Two American Artists Centered the Edges

Rocks for Rocks

These days heroes wear scrubs, face shields, masks, id badges, and, in the case of teachers soldiering on with remote school, perhaps the odd pair of pajama pants. We're not judging.

The Caroline Faison Antiques Collection

The Great Engine Debate

Though it hasn't been made by Porsche in nearly 25 years, the air-cooled engine will forever be associated with the Porsche 911. But obsolescence has never gotten in the way of a purist, and air-cooled Porsche lovers are purists through and through.

Tour the Caroline Faison Antiques Collection

Queen Victoria at the Table - The Original Influencer

Five Things: Georges Braque's Birds

Our upcoming Signature Summer Auction will feature a selection of lithographs by Georges Braque, all depicting the dominant theme of his later work: birds. In advance of the auction, we explore five facts about these avian works by one of France's most significant 20th century artists.

Everything You Want to Know About NFTs But Are Too Afraid to Ask

Psssst…….hey, you. You with the furrowed brow and glazed expression. Yeah I’m talking to you, the one who’s always been an art or music or sports enthusiast but suddenly finds yourself up an NFT creek without a blockchain paddle. There are more of us like you. We know a safe place. Follow us…..

The Long and Winding Journey of a Whiskey Unicorn

Odysseus, Shackleton, Sir Edmund Hilary, A.H. Hirsch Reserve Whiskey. Intrepid adventurers all. Where the first three battled monsters and mountains, A.H. Hirsch took on decades of oblivion and ownership shuffles to emerge victorious as the rarest of rare, the most covetable brown liquor of them all.

Art for Earth Day

Earth Day is our annual reminder not only to care for the natural world on which we depend, but also to take the time to stop and wonder at its beauty.

Lost Wax Bronze Casting

The process of turning bars of bronze into detailed sculpture is mind-bending. How do artisans realize an artist's intricate vision in a substance that only exists as an intractable solid or a molten liquid?

Mary Todd Lincoln's Silver Service Scandal

The Gorham Coin Silver Tea Service in our upcoming Signature Summer Auction is nearly identical to the one purchased by Mary Todd Lincoln during her famously over-budget White House redecorating spending spree in the early 1860s.

From Our Mothers

From our mothers come all manner of things, from our values to our furniture. They hand down wisdom, recipes, stories, and heirlooms. Our trajectory in the world is inevitably changed by what they give us. And so, in advance of this Mother's Day, we asked our Department Directors how their mothers helped set them on their auction house paths.

New York's First Artists' Cooperatives

"Here's an idea that makes me super comfortable: how about instead of getting a steady job you try to scrape out a living as an artist?" said no parent in history.

Follow the Road to Kroghie's House

LLA Decoy Director Robbie Smith describes his decoy collecting mentor Kroghie Andresen as the Wizard of Oz of decoys. So it's only fitting that when we visited Smith in his hometown, all roads led to Kroghie. And what did we find along the way? Puppies. Lots and lots of puppies.

Modern Design Then & Now

The furniture from the mid-century design boom has blended so seamlessly into interiors for decades that it's easy to forget how definitive it was of the style of its own era.

From the Personal Collection of Kroghie Andresen

Kroghie Andresen and his wife made a deal. She could renovate their kitchen if he could build a decoy room. An entire room for decoys. Just decoys.

The Anthony & Davida Artis Collection of African American Fine Art

Anthony & Davida Artis base their art collection on the three things that are most important to them: faith, family, and African American faces.

Larry Wheeler Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Joe Rowand

The creative magic of Joe Rowand was in full flower from the moment he opened his Somerhill Gallery at Straw Valley on US 15/501 on the edge of Chapel Hill in 1972.

'80s Jewelry Comeback

'80s style is having a serious second moment in the sun - we love it when the kids finally realize how cool we were back in the day.

One of Sri Lanka's Best-Known Artists for Over 60 Years

Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake had 10 international solo exhibitions before he was a teenager. And yet somehow, as young man he still didn't plan to make art his life's work.

From Florence to Philadelphia to Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Emanuele Caroni's Telegram of Love was one of three sculptures by the Italian artist shown at the Philadelphia World's Fair, The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876.

It's All In The Details

Impressive in their size, age, and form, these pieces of furniture are even more striking when considered up close.

Project Update: The New Leland Little Gallery

Work progresses steadily on the construction of our new facility. With each new morning, when we arrive to begin our day, we are greeted by yet another finishing touch. We are excited.

Like Potter, Like Son

The history of North Carolina ceramics is one of generations of fathers passing down a utilitarian craft to their sons, who gradually turned it into an artform and a living. This Father's Day weekend, we look at how a few of the potters represented in The June Estate Auction maintained and grew their paternal legacy.

Scenes of America

For the 4th of July, we gather examples of the many varied ways that American artists have captured our country in their art.

Genus: Car collector

Car collectors are in a category unto themselves. Wine, art, jewelry: these are things you collect and then just let be, enjoying them without effort whenever the mood strikes. But cars. People who collect cars tinker and research and refurbish and document. They live and breathe and, most importantly, drive their collections.

Five Things: The Decorous Revolution of Women in American Art Pottery

Not all revolutions come with rally cries and drum beats. Some, like the rise of American women ceramicists at the turn of the century, are more quietly radical, but they bend the arc of equality nonetheless.

The Collection of Art Historian and Designer Sterling Boyd

A great eye is rarely confined to a single category. For Sterling Boyd, the synthesis of his extensive knowledge and impeccable style was a personal collection of art and antiques that brought together beauty and history.

Living on the Live Edge

Whether in life or in craft, for George Nakashima the imperfections made all the difference.

Southern Flowers in Southern Pots

At Leland Little "Arts of the South" generally refers to Southern Pottery and Folk Art. But when we add Durham, North Carolina, photographer and florist Allison Donnelly to the mix, the definition gets a little more botanical.

How to Use Steel and Be Fancy (just a little bit)

Marcel Breuer really, really loved his bicycle. So much so, in fact, that he used it as the inspiration for his signature furniture. Nearly a hundred years later, we have to say it seems he was on to something.

A Modern Art Trivia Treasure Hunt

We love a good piece of art on the wall as much as anyone. But while we can appreciate art in an aesthetic vacuum, the stories behind the works are what really bring them to life. So to give ample dimension to the art in our Modern Art & Design auction, we made you a trivia treasure hunt around some of the standout works that were offered.

On The Hunt

The world turns, the millennia pass, and the hunter becomes the hunted. But possibly not until the hunter is long-extinct and thoroughly fossilized. Robert E. Wilke, who spends his leisure time at the bottom of the ocean, hunting for Megalodon teeth, has reason to be glad for that reliable passage of time.

The Stuff of Legend: LaLaounis Jewelry

Goldsmith Ilias LaLaounis's legacy is built on one defining principle: that every piece of jewelry tells a story.

Five Things: What The Emancipation Proclamation, Organized Philanthropy, The Chicago Fire, & Suffrage Have In Common

The Traditional Iconoclast: Artist Toko Shinoda

With her groundbreakingly simple sumi-e works and lithographs, Toko Shinoda, who passed away this March just three weeks shy of her 108th birthday, used classic technique to create revolutionary Japanese art.

Dressing Women in Art

So much art of all kinds has been inspired by the beauty of the female form. With the abundance of fine jewelry and fine art in The Signature Fall Auction at our disposal, we give the artists' muses the decoration they deserve.

A Light Touch With Big Rings

The cocktail ring, in all its opulent glory, has been one of the signature designs of the Buccellati jewelry house ever since Mario Buccellati was making them to adorn the hands of Milan's most fashionable women after the First World War.

Scotch & Climate Change

One look at any of the scotch distilleries perched picturesquely on the shores of Islay serves as a reminder of their exposure to the elements. The relentless environment in which scotch is made has long been part of its charm, but with climate change intensifying, environmental concerns are quickly becoming production hurdles.

Taking Shape

Come along on a video tour of the progress on the new Leland Little Gallery.

North Carolina in the News

The national press has leaked the secret: the North Carolina Triangle is an amazing place to live.

In the Sky with Diamonds

In 2004, astronomers at Harvard discovered that the white dwarf star previously known only as V886 Centauri or BPM 37093 was actually a diamond. A really, really big diamond. The biggest in the universe, perhaps.

Statement Seating: The Modern Sofa

In modern life, the sofa is the center of family life, the home theater, the conversation pit, the remote office, the place we relocate to when the bed isn’t working out.

A Whisky Market Update

Whisky (yes, and whiskey) is having a moment.

Carving Heritage: A Decoy Story

A craft that defines a county's history.

A Catalyst of Ideas

"Diego was a catalyst in the literal sense of the word: something that precipitates or facilitates a change" (Raymond Foye, The Brooklyn Rail)

Hygge for the Holidays

Relax in a comfy chair, sip your chamomile tea, and dive into our step-by-step guide on how to create hygge in your home this holiday season.

A Symphony of Flavors

"Apricot, quince, pineapple, almond, verbena, fig, rose, lychee, grapefruit, bitter orange, vanilla, saffron, roasted coffee beans... The smells of an entire market are concentrated in a glass of Yquem." – Chateau d’Yquem

The Collection of Joel Siegel

The first thing I saw after I came to was this huge Lichtenstein pop-art poster. If it had been a Raphael Madonna I might have thought I'd died and gone to heaven. But Lichtenstein? I died and went to the Museum of Modern Art? -Joel Siegel, upon awakening in the recovery room at New York Hospital, Lessons for Dylan

Sporting Art Fair 2022

Leland Little is delighted to host our second annual Sporting Art Fair (SAF) on Saturday, February 26th, 2022. Although hosted on the grounds and within the galleries of Leland Little, this is a community event brought forth by a group of partners who are personally and professionally invested in the world of sporting art. The Sporting Art Fair is for everyone.

Reading Between the Lines

Etchings could easily be viewed as static. Louis Orr’s etchings are anything but. Behind each etching is a story — full of travel, people, and much activity.

Humility, Concentration, Perseverance…and Talent

When I start a project, I have a rough idea in mind, but it really is a joint venture between the bamboo and myself. It could be a friendly partnership, or it could be a battle. Whichever the case may be, dialogue with the material and constant adjustments by the artist are essential to every part of the process. – Morigami Jin, 2018

Honoring the Legacy of Percy Carawan

Follow along with Sporting Art Director, Robbie Smith, as he travels east to Lake Mattamuskeet, NC. Listen to the recollections of Mark Carawan and Kroghie Andresen as they share their personal experiences with master decoy carver, Percy Carawan.

All the Accumulated Wealth of Knowledge

"By victory after victory on the racetracks of the world, Jaguar has gained for itself a position in the very forefront of modern sports cars." - Jaguar Cars Ltd, Coventry England

The Stuff of Legend

There can be no question that drinking a great old wine is one of life’s great pleasures. And, there is nothing in the world like a great old Red Burgundy! – The Underground Wineletter

Historical Archive Documenting the Final Weeks of Ulysses S. Grant

I have fought a Good Fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

Season of Color

After the dormant months of winter, spring is the moment when nature reclaims its glory. As art imitates life, the colors of renewal, growth and awakening are exemplified in the jewelry of the Signature Spring Auction.

Announcing Leland Little Properties

What goes better with a brand-new auction facility than a brand-new boutique real estate department? That’s exactly what we thought.

An Insider's Look: Gustav Stickley

Simplicity, Honesty in Construction, and Truth to Materials

A Moment With: Nancy Blount

Share a moment with Jewelry & Textiles Director, Nancy Blount. Explore the symbolism, stylistic differences, and purpose woven into the samplers of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Move Into Our New Gallery Space

After much anticipation and patience, moving day was upon us. As a team, we conceptualized, we planned, we designed, and we built. On April 7th and 8th, a new chapter of this journey was here — the move.

The Launch into Retail Fine Wine

If you can't wait for our next fine wine auction, you're in luck. You don't have to.

An Insider's Look: The Timeless Wood - Mahogany

Interior designers are forecasting the resurgence of mahogany and other dark woods. Perhaps the time spent in our homes during the last two years has us leaning into a cozier design aesthetic. Learn more about the origins of mahogany furniture as well as styling ideas featuring pieces from our upcoming May Estate Auction.

How Elsa Peretti Reintroduced Tiffany & Co. to Silver

A brief history of the iconic collaboration between legendary designer Elsa Peretti and Tiffany & Co., inspired by pieces offered in our upcoming Estate Jewelry, Sterling Silver, & Rare Coins auction on May 12.

7 Exhibited Artists to Buy in Spring Modern Art & Design

From solo exhibitions at MoMA to current showings at Nasher Museum’s Reckoning and Resilience; artists in our May 19th Spring Modern Art & Design auction have impressive CV’s.

The Collector's Eye: Ivan Remnitz

The Collection of Ivan Remnitz spans the globe in both its acquisition story and scope, and has a very clear focus through the lens of the collector’s eye. From artful textiles meant to be hung and admired, to Cycladic inspired sculptures meant to be viewed in the round; the various mediums speak to a sum greater than its parts. This week, we spoke with Remnitz about his collecting journey.

How Craft, Community, and Lifestyle Elevate the Decoy

The Leland Little Sporting Art Department spent a fantastic day at the coast, gathering first impressions of Lee Dudley's rare Canvasback decoy while celebrating the Southeast's coastal sporting lifestyle.

Bierstadt, Homer, and Hassam: Founding Fathers of American Art

Winslow Homer, Albert Bierstadt, and Childe Hassam were titans of American painting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Three works in our upcoming Summer Signature Auction firmly made their impressions on the landscape of American art history, the artists themselves becoming household names.

Special Feature: Howard Johnson on the Sporting Art Department

The President of the Carolina Decoy Association speaks about the Leland Little Sporting Art Department and the role it has played in fueling conversation within the Sporting Arts community.

Unboxing: Rare Spirits

Moonlighting as an academic journal, this clever box is hiding a prohibition era whiskey. Watch this unboxing video and learn more. Bid on this rare whiskey, without a prescription, on Friday, June 10th at noon.

The Finer Points: A Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina

Explore the finer details of classical art, botanical engravings, Chinese porcelain, and antique furniture. These featured pieces, along with the entirety of the collection will be offered in our Signature Summer Auction, June 11th at 9am EDT.

Through the Architect's Lens: Vision & Inspiration

Explore the design details, materials, and feel of our gallery and renovated campus. Listen as our architect, Richard Gurlitz of Gurlitz Architectural Group, describes the design challenge and vision for this project.

The Collector’s Eye: A Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina

Leland Little is proud to offer a Private Collection from Greensboro, North Carolina in our Signature Summer Auction on June 11. This collection features exemplary American and English furniture, fine art and more with storied provenances.

Special Feature: White Gold and Diamond Ring

This sparkling 2.0 carat rectangular modified brilliant cut diamond ring will be offered in our Signature Summer Auction, this Saturday, June 11th starting at 9:00AM. Add a little sparkle and shine to your summer.

The Bride Wore a Diamond Crescent Brooch

In our Signature Summer Auction, Leland Little offered a treasured Antique Gold and Diamond Crescent Brooch with a romantic provenance. We spoke with Nancy Blount, Director of Jewelry at Leland Little, about the piece.

The Longleat Commodes: More Than Meets the Eye

There is more to this pair of commodes than meets the eye. If they could talk, they would tell tales of their storied provenance. A former home in an Elizabethan estate? Check. Noble ranking owners? Check.

Behind the Wheel

The Director of Estate & Collector Vehicles, Mark Terry, tells the story of two men with a passion for racing and collecting performance cars.

Special Feature: 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Restomod

Exquisitely Beautiful Specimens of the Ambrotype

Our Rare Coins & Historical Director, Rob Golan, is proud to present a remarkable quarter-plate ambrotype of two young Confederate cavalrymen from Louisiana. This rare ambrotype, along with other ambrotypes and tintypes, was offered in our June Estate Auction.

Paperweights: A Purposeful Art

The earliest known decorative paperweights appeared in Europe in the 1840s. Designed for the singular purpose of holding down stacks of paper on desks, paperweights were a response to the evolving needs of mid-nineteenth century life.

Special Feature with Rob Golan

Watch as Rob Golan, Rare Coins & Historical Director at Leland Little, points out the defining features of Civil War tintypes offered in the June Estate Auction, June 23rd at 9:00am EDT.

The Stars of the Show

Time to celebrate all things that sparkle and shine. We hand selected our favorite fine jewelry pieces that Leland Little consigned over the years.

The Collector’s Eye: Dr. Keith Stanley

He surrounded himself with art and objects that resonated with his ever working academic mind, living amongst the tangible evidence of material culture that fueled his passion.

Unboxing: Japanese Lacquered Picnic Set

Is this a miniature tea house, or perhaps a child's toy? It is neither.

The Curious Lore of Rubies

For those who love rubies to the moon and back again…

Significant Properties: The B.B. Forrest House

What makes a Leland Little Property Significant? Our Properties Director, Beth Louden, reveals the three key elements— location, story, and style.

Upcoming Events at Leland Little

Join us for preview nights, wine tastings, lectures, community gatherings, and more. Explore the many ways to engage with us here at Leland Little.

The Finer Points: Florals in Design

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. - Henri Matisse

Special Feature with Claire Fraser

Fresh out of the crate, our Fine Art & Silver Director shares 3 paintings by American artist Gladys Nelson Smith.

Special Feature with Luke Newbold

Spin, sparkle, repeat.

An Insider's Look: Inspired by the European Grand Tour

Back from your European getaway and longing for some of its beauty at home? We get it. Feeling inspired by our own travels and the tradition of the Grand Tour, we have curated this timeless selection of continental art, furniture, and decorative accessories from our End of Summer Estate Auction.

Special Feature with Mark Terry

"These cars are all meant to be driven." - Mark Terry, Director of Estate & Collector Vehicles

An Insider's Look: Garage Kept Treasures

Our Estate & Collector Vehicles Director, Mark Terry, rolls up the garage door to reveal two pristine late-model convertibles that deserve the spotlight.

The Finer Points: North Carolina Art Across the Centuries

The blest land, the best land, the Old North State! - Leonora Monteiro Martin