Collectors and enthusiasts of American decorative arts will have the opportunity to explore a remarkable assembly of historic furniture, folk art, and decorative objects with the upcoming Warwick Collection auction. The sale, conducted by Nye & Company Auctioneers, is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST and will take place entirely online, allowing bidders from across the country to participate in acquiring these carefully curated pieces.

The Warwick Collection, owned by Peter and Leslie Warwick of Middletown, NJ, is widely regarded as one of the most significant and meticulously researched collections of early American furniture and folk art in the region. Over 360 lots will be offered, spanning iconic styles such as Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Federal, alongside regional folk art, textiles, ceramics, and fine art. Many of the items carry strong provenance and reflect the Warwicks’ decades-long dedication to American material culture.

Among the furniture highlights, collectors will find rare and high-value pieces including a black-painted maple “fiddle-back” armchair circa 1775 attributed to Hendrick Smock of Holmdel, NJ, and a Chippendale walnut tea table from Middletown Township dating to 1770. Additional featured lots include sets of Queen Anne maple side chairs, a Chippendale mahogany desk and bookcase, Federal cherrywood corner cupboards, walnut hanging shelves, and drop-leaf tables. Notable seating options include Chippendale walnut side chairs, a Federal mahogany easy chair, and a Windsor oak bowback armchair, offering a range of style and period appeal.

Folk art and decorative objects also take center stage in the Warwick Collection. Rare Fraktur birth and family records, an American needlework pocketbook, and hooked rugs—including a detailed “Running Deer” design—illustrate the craftsmanship and regional artistic traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries. The collection further features whimsical paint-decorated whirligigs, carved shadowboxes, and a rich selection of 19th-century stoneware and ceramics from New Jersey and New York potteries, including Crolius, Xerxes Price, and Warne & Letts. Chinese export blue Canton porcelain, spongeware, and yellowware round out a diverse offering of decorative items.

Fine art and collectibles are equally compelling. Portraits include an oil on board of a young boy and his sister by Jacob Bailey Moore and a portrait of Sarah Mac Woodruff by John Paradise, while functional art and period accessories feature Federal red-painted pine tall case clocks, Dutch six-arm brass chandeliers, and glass whale oil lamps. The catalog also concludes with reference books covering botanical, architectural, and historical subjects, reflecting the collectors’ deep interest in the broader context of American art and history.

The online-only format of the auction, which Nye & Company refers to as “essentially unreserved,” allows each lot to sell to the highest bidder regardless of price, creating a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire historically and artistically significant items that might otherwise remain in private hands. Public previews are available at Nye & Company’s Bloomfield gallery from January 12–20, 2026, providing a chance to examine the pieces firsthand prior to bidding.

For those following the broader art scene and cultural heritage in New Jersey, detailed updates and coverage of this auction and similar events can be found in Explore New Jersey’s art & culture section. The Warwick Collection auction is poised to attract significant attention from both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts eager to engage with some of the finest examples of American decorative arts and folk traditions.

The January 21 auction offers a unique glimpse into the legacy of New Jersey collectors and the enduring appeal of early American craftsmanship, positioning the Warwick Collection as a landmark event for the region’s art and antiques community.

Folk Art and Decorative Arts

• Frakturs and Needlework: A strong selection of Fraktur birth records (for Elizabeth Hillier and Jerusha Hooper) and family records is available. Notable textiles include an American needlework pocketbook and various hooked rugs, such as one featuring a “Running Deer”.
• Whirligigs and Carvings: The collection features several paint-decorated wood whirligigs, including one of a man with a red top hat, as well as a carved wood shadowbox of a three-mast clipper.
• Stoneware and Ceramics: Significant regional 19th-century ceramics include cobalt-decorated stoneware from New Jersey and New York potteries (Crolius family, Xerxes Price, and Warne & Letts). Numerous lots of yellowware, spongeware, and Chinese export blue Canton porcelain are also listed. 
• Major Furniture Highlights
• Queen Anne & Chippendale Pieces: High-value items include a rare black-painted maple “fiddle-back” armchair (circa 1775) attributed to Hendrick Smock of Holmdel, NJ, and a Chippendale walnut tea table (circa 1770) from Middletown Township. Other featured lots include a set of six Queen Anne maple side chairs and a Chippendale mahogany desk and bookcase.
• Tables and Case Furniture: The catalog lists Federal cherrywood corner cupboards, a walnut hanging shelf, and Queen Anne walnut drop-leaf tables.
• Seating: Items include Chippendale walnut side chairs (est. $800–$1,200), a Federal mahogany easy chair, and a Windsor oak bowback armchair.

Fine Art and Collectibles

• Portraits: Notable artworks include an oil on board portrait of a young boy and his sister by Jacob Bailey Moore and a portrait of Sarah Mac Woodruff by John Paradise (est. $3,000–$5,000).
• Lighting and Clocks: Features include a Federal red-painted pine tall case clock (est. $2,000–$3,000), various glass whale oil lamps, and a Dutch six-armed brass chandelier.
• Reference Books: The auction concludes with several lots of reference materials, including groups of botanical, architectural, and historical books.