Specialist Spotlight: Corbin Horn
Join us as we spotlight Corbin Horn, Senior Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, ahead of our two-day sale series on July 14-15. Learn about his journey in the world of furniture and decorative arts, notable achievements at Freeman’s, and his favorite lots from our upcoming sale.
Freeman’s: What originally attracted you to the world of European Furniture & Decorative Arts and auction? What drew you to becoming a specialist and translating your passion into your career?
Corbin Horn: I have always admired and enjoyed studying historic architecture, authentic period rooms, Royal residences, country houses and small house museums alike. I am interested in the preservation of these structures and in the furnishing of them in correct period fashion. I appreciate period clothing, material culture, historic food and cookery just as much. From my earliest years at our firm, I knew this was my area of interest. I worked as an administrator in the European Furniture department until I gained enough experience to become a Specialist.
F: How did your career journey lead you to Freeman’s?
CH: Chicago has been my home for 20 years. In addition to its other regional locations, our firm is the leader in our industry in this part of the country. The location makes it possible to serve clients around the country; Chicago is a short flight from most major cities and a vital shipping and transportation hub.
F: Are you personally a collector of fine furniture and decorative arts? What are some of your favorite finds that you’ve acquired?
CH: I always say I am a decorator, not a collector. I have bought and sold many things at auction for different homes I’ve lived in, but I am not a collector in the true sense. I bought what I liked and what looked good in my home.
F: Can you describe a collection that you are proud to have brought to auction?
CH: One of my favorites has been the collection of William Bernhard and Catherine Cahill. Lifelong New Yorkers, they had homes in Southampton, Palm Beach and Manhattan which were designed with the help of Keith Irvine of Irvine & Fleming Interiors. Irvine was one of the greats. Every object in every room was unique and had a story. They were the kind of treasures that are becoming harder to find.
F: Describe a typical workday for you at Freeman’s.
CH: With four marquee auctions per year and multiple smaller auctions each month, I am always either working to sell an upcoming auction or searching for collections to fill the next auction after that. On a typical day I direct responses to inquiries from new clients with property to sell, answer questions from bidders about upcoming items, travel the country touring historic homes and collections, or “dissect” furniture and decorative objects while teaching our junior specialists the nuances of good, better, best. I particularly enjoy advising homeowners on authenticity or quality: “this is nice, but that one over there is even better, and would be more ‘correct’ for your room.”
F: What are some market trends you’ve observed recently in the category of European Furniture & Decorative Arts? Can you tell us about some of your favorite lots in our upcoming July 14-15 auction?
CH: Collectors are looking for the unusual. They want us to show them something they’ve never seen before, or they want to upgrade to a better example of something they already own. Plain, polished mahogany and walnut surfaces are somewhat out of fashion, but colorful painted, gilded, lacquered or bronze-ornamented surfaces are sought after. I have two favorites from the upcoming auction: a fine commode by Mathieu Criaerd with elaborate ormolu mounts shaped like provincial figures, and a great bureau plat embellished with Chinese lacquer. The bureau plat is from Strawberry Hill, one of the great Gilded Age residences of the San Francisco area.