Nick Nicholson

Deputy Chairman, Decorative Arts | Director, Russian Works of Art

Nick Nicholson, Deputy Chairman of Decorative Arts at Heritage, is a strategic leader of the Fine and Decorative Arts division. In this role, he works closely with Heritage’s executive team, department heads and specialists to strengthen collaboration across collecting categories, elevate scholarship and connoisseurship, and advance Heritage’s position as a premier international resource for the decorative arts. His work encompasses divisional strategy, business development, major collections, and client relationships, while supporting the specialist expertise and market leadership of Heritage’s individual departments.  

Nick joined Heritage Auctions in October 2023 with more than 25 years of experience as an art advisor, USPAP-compliant appraiser, specialist, and executive. His career has included roles at Christie’s, Freeman’s, museums, not-for-profit cultural institutions,  luxury firms, and independent advisory practice. Spanning divisional leadership, senior specialist and curatorial positions, his experience gives him deep practical expertise in valuation, estate planning, collections strategy, and the stewardship of complex collections of fine and decorative art.

Nick also leads Heritage’s Museum Services initiatives, partnering with museums, cultural institutions, and corporate collections to shape, refine, and responsibly steward their holdings in accordance with museum standards and best practices. He works closely with museum directors, boards, collections committees, and curatorial staff on projects of all scales, drawing upon Heritage’s more than 125 specialists across 50+ categories to develop effective, mission-aligned solutions.

In 2024, Nick established Heritage’s Russian Works of Art department and has since helped position Heritage as the leading U.S. auction house for Russian art and Fabergé. He has overseen the sale of several landmark collections, including the Estates of Princess Maria Romanoff and Ruth Nelkin, the Fabergé Heritage Collection, and property from the Collection of A La Vieille Russie, in addition to numerous important private and institutional collections. Under his leadership, Heritage has achieved international auction records for works by Fabergé, Kurlyukov, Ovchinnikov, Rückert, and other leading makers.

For more information, or for assistance with appraisal services, auction, or private sales, pleasecontact Nick at Heritage.

Heritage Auctions | 445 Park Ave | NYC | 10022