“Antiques Roadshow” Expert Appraiser to Speak on “Discovering America's Treasures”

Lark E. Mason Jr., one of America’s foremost experts on Asian art and antiquities who has appeared regularly on PBS’s "Antiques Roadshow" since its inception in 1996, will share stories of how incredible works of art and craftsmanship are rediscovered and authenticated during a talk July 17 at 6 p.m. at Rosecliff.

Mason’s talk, “Discovering America’s Treasures,” will draw on his decades of experience, including nearly 25 years a senior officer, generalist and expert in Chinese works of art with Sotheby’s, New York.

“Lark Mason has a trove of great stories about antiques and artworks that lay unidentified for decades before expert eyes realized their significance,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, which is presenting “Discovering America’s Treasures” as part of its Summer Lecture Series. “His knowledge is incredible, and we are fortunate to have him on our Board of Trustees as well as a guest speaker this summer.”

Mason was President of the Appraiser’s Association of America from 2019-2021 and is founder of iGavel Auctions, an online auction platform; Lark Mason Associates, a full-service auction house; and Lark Mason Art Advisory, art advisory and appraisals. He is the author of "Asian Art," published in 2003, and translator of Wang Shixiang’s "Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture."

Registration for the lecture at Rosecliff is available through www.newportmansions.org/events.

The Preservation Society’s Summer Lecture Series, sponsored by Grande Masonry of Providence, also includes:

• July 9 at 5:30 p.m., Rosecliff: “‘The Great Gatsby’ Revisited: An Evening with Sam Waterston,” featuring the “Law & Order” star who portrayed narrator Nick Carraway in the 1974 film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, filmed at Rosecliff and Marble House. Moderated by Anne Thompson of NBC News. This event is nearly sold out.

• July 29 at 6 p.m., Rosecliff: “Investigating Allard Interiors” by Preservation Society Conservation Fellow Laura Bergemann; and “Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light” by Curatorial Research Fellow Théo Lourenço. Free in person or via Zoom. Advance registration required.

• August 5 at 6 p.m., Rosecliff: “Decoding Davenport” by Conservation Fellow Isabella Hogan; and “Treasures from the Collection” by Curatorial Research Fellow Priscilla Bright. Free in person or via Zoom. Advance registration required.

• August 7 at 6 p.m., The Elms: “Christine Baranski in Conversation: ‘The Gilded Age’ and Beyond” featuring the actress behind old-money matron Agnes van Rhijn in HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and many other roles on stage and screen. Moderated by Jared Bowen of GBH's "The Culture Show." This event is sold out.

• August 14 at 4 p.m., Rosecliff: “Coaching Weekend: Behind the Scenes” with James Miller, Vice President of the Coaching Club; Walter Eayrs, Chair of A Weekend of Coaching; and Melissa Warner, Driving Manager and Coachman for Tucker Johnson, President of the Coaching Club.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area's historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For more information, please visit www.NewportMansions.org.