Tests as 18 kt. Shellac filled. Gold foil peeled off in one section.

Enamel loss.

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Auction: Property from a Commonwealth Avenue Mansion: The Estate of Anthony J. Sinskey, Dec 12, 2025

• Successful Boston Auction of Property from a Commonwealth Avenue Mansion: The Estate of Anthony J. Sinskey on December 12, 2025

• Sale of Artwork, Furniture, Asian Art, Silver, Porcelain and Jewelry Surpassed Expectations

• Held in Doyle Boston's Newly Expanded Location at The Vendome in Boston's Back Bay

BOSTON, MA -- Doyle Boston was honored to present Property of a Commonwealth Avenue Mansion: The Estate of Anthony J. Sinskey, to be auctioned on December 12, 2025. This successful sale was held at Doyle Boston’s new location in The Vendome at 290 Dartmouth Street and livestreamed on Doyle.com. 

Competitive bidding drove strong results for the exceptional and diverse selection of American and European fine art, elegant furniture and decorations, Asian works of art, silver, porcelain and jewelry—a collection assembled over decades and reflecting the opulent Gilded Age interiors of 285 Commonwealth Avenue. From the detailed tapestries and serene coastal paintings to the domestic and equestrian scenes and ancient ceramics, each piece told a unique story of life and creativity. 

Anthony J. Sinskey, ScD, was a renowned MIT professor and pioneering figure in metabolic engineering, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing. Over his impressive career, he published extensively, held 31 issued patents, and co-founded several biotechnology companies that bridged academic innovation and industry. His wife, the late Professor ChoKyun Rha, was also a longtime MIT professor and the first woman of Asian descent to receive tenure at MIT. Their Commonwealth Avenue residence reflected both their refined aesthetic and intellectual curiosity. Designed in 1903/04 by the Boston firm Winslow and Bigelow, the mansion was meticulously restored by Dr. Sinskey and Professor Rha to recapture its original grandeur. Over many years, they curated a collection of art and furnishings thoughtfully chosen to complement the elegant architecture and timeless character of their Back Bay home.

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