The Collection of Lucille Coleman

DOYLE to Auction The Collection of Lucille Coleman 

Series of Sales to Begin on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 with a Dedicated Single-Owner Auction 

DOYLE is honored to present The Collection of Lucille Coleman, a refined and wide-ranging assemblage of fine art, furniture, decorative objects, and Asian works of art from the esteemed New York collector and philanthropist known for her generosity, taste, and deep civic commitment. The series of auctions will commence with a dedicated single-owner sale on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10am, followed by select category-specific auctions, including Asian Works of Art, Important Paintings, Prints & Multiples, and Fine Art through December.

Lucille Coleman was a gracious presence in New York’s philanthropic and cultural circles. Known for her exceptional taste and quiet generosity, she brought elegance to every endeavor—from her thoughtful collecting to her steadfast support of charitable organizations. Among her many philanthropic commitments, she maintained a decades-long relationship with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, which honored her contributions by naming a residential tower on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Her collection reflects a life dedicated to beauty, legacy, and meaningful engagement with the world around her.

The initial single-owner sale will focus on Mrs. Coleman’s superb collection of furniture and decorative arts, featuring standout pieces such as a Late Louis XV ormolu-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, and parquetry commode and a Russian silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel tea service. These are complemented by an extensive selection of American and Continental silver, offering a glimpse into a home curated with refinement and purpose.

Further auctions will highlight the breadth of her interests, including a remarkable group of Asian works of art. Chief among them is a rare and important ensemble of Japanese Meiji figural bronzes crafted by leading workshops of the period—pieces originally intended to awe Western audiences with their romantic vision of Japanese culture. Additional highlights include two gilt-bronze seated figures of Amitayus and a monumental Japanese bronze figure of an ascetic atop a lion dog, each exemplifying the extraordinary artistry and symbolism of the region.

Mrs. Coleman’s passion for European modernism is also reflected in her collection of paintings by artists such as Louis Valtat, Bernard Buffet, Gustave Loiseau, and Maurice de Vlaminck. These works—ranging from bold Fauvist compositions to lyrical post-Impressionist landscapes—underscore her keen eye for color, form, and expressive beauty.

Through its expert stewardship of single-owner collections, DOYLE will bring Mrs. Coleman’s legacy to a broad collecting audience while honoring her commitment to excellence, connoisseurship, and philanthropy.

Asian Works of Art
Asian Art from the Collection will be exhibited on September 6–8 alongside the full Collection, then offered in the Asian Works of Art sale on September 16–17. Among the highlights are exceptional Japanese Meiji Period bronzes. Read More