Professor’s Collection Part Three: Mediterranean and European Art and Icons

Collected over decades, this thoughtful selection honors the spiritual traditions of Europe from the Orthodox East to the Mediterranean coast. Each piece in this collection reflects a profound reverence for European craftsmanship, religious tradition, or cultural identity. Part Three of The Professor’s Collection brings together sacred icons from Greece and Russia alongside fine European works including bronze sculptures, pottery, and rare engravings.  

Notable items from Europe include a 1760’s English Staffordshire Salt Glazed Teapot decorated with polychrome of Asian figures, Meissen Snake Handle Vases from 19th century Germany, and Baccarat Caviar Serving Dishes from France. Various silver and brass Russian Orthodox religious icons depicting saints, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ make their debut in this online auction.   

About the Collector  

The story behind The Professor’s Collection begins with a young boy in Texas who, at age 13, began studying Spanish out of genuine curiosity. Two years later, at just 15, he boarded a plane alone to Mexico. It was there he acquired his first piece of Pre-Columbian art, a moment that would shape the course of his life.  

That early interest in language grew into a lifelong academic pursuit. He went on to earn master’s degrees in Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese, diving deep into the literature, art, and social norms of the cultures that fascinated him. But learning wasn’t confined to the classroom. As his knowledge expanded, so did his desire to see these cultures firsthand and to preserve tangible pieces of their legacy.  

Over the years, his collecting evolved to include Oceanic art, drawn especially to the visual and spiritual power of works from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. He traveled widely to Nepal, Thailand, Guatemala, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, the American Southwest, the Bering Strait, and parts of colonial Africa. Each journey reinforced the same quiet realization: “We are all one people at heart and in our souls with only regional distinction variances.”  

This auction series offers a rare glimpse into a deeply personal collection, one built not for prestige or display, but out of a profound respect for the stories these objects carry and the human connections they represent.  

Event Details:  

This auction will be held online simultaneously across multiple platforms with audio.  

Date: Friday, August 1, 2025  
Time: 5:15 PM EST  

Preview:  

An in-person preview will be held July 29-31 daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST. If you're unable to attend but need additional photos or information, please reach out to our bidder support team using the contact form at www.BlueBoxAuction.com/contact. Be sure to include the relevant lot numbers in your message. Inquiries are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and may take up to two business days to process.  

Local Pick-Up:  

Local pick-up is available on August 4-8 daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST.  

Shipping:  

Worldwide shipping is available. If you live outside the Commonwealth of Virginia (USA), you'll automatically be added to our shipping queue. Local bidders who prefer to have their items shipped may do so by contacting our bidder support team at www.BlueBoxAuction.com/contact. Shipping charges are invoiced separately from your auction winnings.  

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