The Specialist

By Sotheby'sSociety & Culture Arts

The Specialist episodes

February 04 Tiffany Windows: From Sanctuary to Spotlight, with Jodi Pollack
On today's episode: two Tiffany Studios windows, two recording-breaking sales, and the story of the creators behind them both - Louis Comfort Tiffany, pioneer of American stained glass, and Agnes Northrup, one of his most gifted collaborators - whose achievements have been brought into the light by Jodi Pollack, Chairman, Co-Worldwide Head of 20th Century Design New York and Chairman of Sotheby's Major Collections Division.
Further details about the episode subject
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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13 min
January 28 The Codex Sassoon: Jewel of the Judaica Library, with Sharon Liberman Mintz
On today’s episode, the Codex Sassoon, which set a historic record in 2023 as the most valuable manuscript ever sold at auction. Once part of collector David Solomon Sassoon’s legendary Judaica library, it is the earliest most complete Hebrew Bible known to exist.
Sharon Liberman Mintz is the Senior International Specialist for Judaica at Sotheby’s, where she has guided the sales of rare Hebrew manuscripts and printed books for more than three decades.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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13 min
January 21 The Specialist Icons: Coming Soon
Introducing The Specialist: Icons.
This season, inspired by Sotheby’s new book Icons published by Phaidon, we explore treasures whose journeys define not only their own histories, but the shifting story of taste, value, and culture. Quality, rarity, and provenance play their part - yet some objects captivate the imagination for reasons beyond the ordinary. In each episode, we explore their significance and impact, through the eyes of those who know them best.
The Specialist Icons - coming on January 28th.

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2 min
January 14 Oprah and Agnes Gund: Art for the Next Generation, with Charlotte Van Dercook
On today’s episode, we acknowledge with great respect the recent passing of the visionary philanthropist, Agnes Gund. Her extraordinary patronage – from her leadership at MoMA to her unwavering support of contemporary artists – forms one of the defining legacies in the art world today. Charlotte Van Dercook, Sotheby’s Head of Marquee Private Sales, explores By Women, For Tomorrow’s Women — the first all-women artist benefit auction, championed by Gund and Oprah Winfrey.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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11 min
January 07 The Declaration of Independence: 250 Years of the United States, with Selby Kiffer
On today’s episode, Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's Senior International Specialist of Books and Manuscripts, tells the story of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence found in a flea market and the meticulous process of authentication that brought it to auction. Over the last half century, he has overseen the sale of many of the most celebrated private libraries offered at auction. A lecturer and expert, with a unique knowledge of Americana, he has also handled significant letters by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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13 min
December 31, 2025 The Ostrich that François-Xavier Lalanne Hid in his Bedroom, with Florent Jeanniard
On today’s episode, Florent Jeanniard, Sotheby's Chairman, Co-Worldwide Head of Design, Paris, dives into the surreal world of François-Xavier Lalanne. Le Bar aux Autruches, a whimsical fusion of sculpture and furniture, proved so intriguing for visitors to his home studio that Lalanne decided to hide it away in his bedroom.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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11 min
December 24, 2025 Collecting Time: The Market Life of a Patek Philippe, with Sam Hines
On today’s episode, the pivotal collector relationships that keep the market for rare watches ticking. Sam Hines, Sotheby's Global Chairman, Watches, explores the landmark sale of the only first-series Patek Philippe ref. 2499 to be signed by British-heritage luxury brand Asprey.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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11 min
December 17, 2025 The Anonymous Altarpiece: Decoding a Renaissance Enigma, with Alex Bell
On today’s episode, what happens when a work of art is so enigmatic that you think about it for 60 years? Alex Bell, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby's UK and Old Masters Worldwide, tells the story of how a mysterious Renaissance altarpiece entered the collection of the National Gallery in London as the museum celebrated its bi-centenary.

Further details about the episode subject.

The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.

To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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11 min
December 10, 2025 The Contingency Lunar Sample Return Bag: An Apollo 11 Treasure, with Cassandra Hatton
On today’s episode, Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman & Worldwide Head of Science and Natural History, examines the turbulent journey of the bag that brought back the first sample of the Moon — collected by Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11. She specialises in creating new markets, selling unique artefacts, and exploring what it means to put a price on history.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

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14 min
December 03, 2025 The Collector and the Ceramicist: Sydney Denton and Magdalene Odundo, with Julia Fischel
On today’s episode, Julia Fischel, Sotheby's Head of the Modern Art Day Sale in London, examines the trailblazing impact of Dame Magdalene Odundo, a Kenyan-born British potter, who redefined the field of contemporary ceramics. Her sculptural vessels set new records for the medium at the auction of visionary collector Sydney Denton, one of her greatest champions.
Further details about the episode subject.
The Specialist is brought to you by Sotheby's Financial Services. SFS offers asset-based loans to unlock the value of your fine art, automobiles and other luxury collectibles.
To step further into the World of Sotheby’s, visit any one of our galleries, which are open to the public. Explore more at sothebys.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 min

About The Specialist

From the publisher's feed

Sotheby’s is the temporary custodian of some of the world’s most rare, remarkable and coveted art and objects. Our global specialists are connoisseurs and market experts in 40 countries and 70 collecting categories. They will be your guides, exploring the significance and journey of an extraordinary work with those who know it best. Your weekly dose of wonder is available now.