Rago to Auction Bernstein Arts & Crafts Silver
The Joel and Carole Bernstein Collection will be sold in New York City on October 20, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Collecting
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Rago, Wright, and Toomey & Co. will host a dedicated auction featuring the Joel and Carole Bernstein Collection of Arts & Crafts silver. This significant collection of British metalwork is scheduled to go under the hammer on October 20, 2026.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the decades-long curation efforts of the Bernsteins, who assembled these pieces through a spirit of historical curiosity. It offers collectors a rare look at the inventiveness of British decorative arts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The collection includes more than 100 lots ranging from clocks to jewelry, with specific items like an Ashbee chalice estimated at $12,000–$18,000. An Archibald Knox necklace holds an estimate of $8,000–$12,000, while an Omar Ramsden casket is valued between $7,000 and $9,000.
The players
Joel and Carole Bernstein
The couple resided in Chicago and spent decades acquiring fine historical decorative arts.
Rago, Wright, and Toomey & Co.
This auction house specializes in the sale of fine art and high-end decorative objects.
Charles Robert Ashbee
He was a prominent English designer and a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Archibald Knox
He was a celebrated Scottish designer known for his metalwork and jewelry during the early 20th century.
Omar Ramsden
He was a prolific British silversmith whose work is characterized by its intricate craftsmanship.
The details
Assembled in Chicago beginning in the 1990s, the collection features works by notable designers including Charles Robert Ashbee, Archibald Knox, and Omar Ramsden. The items consist of various decorative and functional pieces such as vessels, caskets, and tableware.
Timeline
The collection was first started by the Bernsteins in the 1990s.
The auction will take place in New York City on October 20, 2026.
Roadmap
This auction reflects the sustained interest in the Arts and Crafts movement's historical decorative arts market. It underscores how private collections, when brought to market, continue to drive the valuation of legacy design movements against broader contemporary art trends.
For collectors in New York City, this sale offers a rare opportunity to view and acquire significant British silver pieces. Potential buyers should prepare to review individual lot estimates before the October 20, 2026, auction date.
The takeaway
Collectors interested in the Arts and Crafts period should pay close attention to provenance, as items from private, decades-long collections are highly sought after. Researching the work of individual designers like Ashbee and Knox can help provide context for the historical value of these pieces.
What happens next
The auction is scheduled to take place on October 20, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more about the market for decorative items in our Collecting section.
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