Nicholas B.A. Nicholson is an expert in European fine and decorative arts of the 17th through the 20th centuries, and is recognized for his specialization in Russian works of art. During his 25 years in the art world, he has worked as an auction house specialist, as a curator, and as an art advisor. 

In addition to serving as the principal of Nicholson Advisory, Nicholson serves as Board Chair of the Merchant’s House Museum in New York City, as a Board member of the Russian Nobility Association in America, and as a member of the Collections Committee of the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Massachusetts.

Nick began his career at Christie’s, where he joined the Continental furniture & decorative arts department in 1993. He was involved in the cataloguing and auction of the collections of Alice Tully, Bernheimer & Co., and Rudolf Nureyev. Promoted to specialist in Christie’s New York Russian department, he sold important Russian works from the estates of Landsell Christie, Jane Englehardt and Frank Sinatra, among others. He participated in the landmark sale of the Fabergé imperial 25th anniversary clock which set auction records for Fabergé, clocks, and silver. 

Following Christie’s, Nicholson became the American curator of Jewels of the Romanovs: Treasures from the Russian Imperial Court, a touring exhibition of works from five Russian lending institutions, which included a selection of the Imperial Crown Jewels from the State Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. Nicholson was an early participant in online art sales, joining the staff of an internet art advisory in 1999. Nick founded his own eponymous firm in 2008.

He has recently finished an annotated translation of the diaries of Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia, Michael Romanov: Brother of the Last Tsar, Diaries and Letters 1916-1918 and is the co-author of Fabergé: The Imperial "Empire" Egg of 1902 (with Nikolai Bachmakov, Tatiana Fabergé, Dmitry Krivoshey, Anna and Vincent Palmade, and Valentin Skurlov, 2017), and Tatiana Romanov: Daughter of the Last Tsar (with Helen Azar, 2014). He is at work on a new book on the Vladimir branch of the Romanov family.

He is also a licensed auctioneer and has helped raise millions of dollars for U.S. charities, including Broadway Cares.

For Nick’s CV request a copy HERE

Photo © Freeman’s Auction, used by kind permission