Rafael Osona Auctions began in 1980. The auction gallery, which is well known for its consistent high quality decorative arts auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries, is owned and operated by Gail and Rafael Osona. They have had personal "hands on" approach to the auction business since its inception. Rafael grew up with antiques since his childhood. He was born into a family with a rich history of involvement with the decorative arts, as he is a fourth generation antiquarian. Rafael’s father, a Museum old master painting restorer, and his grandfather, a knowledgeable antique proprietor first from Spain, and then Argentina, passed down the admiration of antiques and art to their son and grandson. Gail Osona, wife and partner, joined in Rafael’s enthusiasm for antiques when she first worked with him on a part-time basis at the William Doyle Galleries in New York in the mid 1970’s. They decided to leave the hustle and bustle of New York City life, and open their own auction gallery on Nantucket Island in 1980. They have been involved in every aspect of the business, from the appraising, collecting, auctioning, advertising and reconciliation of hundreds of auctions. They have seen the auction gallery grow over the years, and now their children Rafael, Jr. and Erin Douglas work side by side with their parents, along with a number of knowledgeable staff.

With fifteen auctions a year, including specialized catalogue-sales, Nantucket is a bountiful marketplace for the dispersal of your fine antiques and heirlooms. Rafael Osona Auctions is proud to hold numerous world’s records in the decorative arts field including the highest price paid at auction for a Ralph Cahoon oil painting, a folk art sailor’s woolie, a maritime Captain’s walking stick, a pair of antique scrimshaw whale teeth, and a Nantucket cocktail basket by José Formoso Reyes. For a period of time they also held the world’s record for a Frederick Myric Susan Tooth.

"Giving Back" to the community over the past 20 years has been their philosophy above and beyond their business, with numerous benefit auctions including A Safe Place, HOSPICE, Nantucket Artist’s Association, Nantucket Aids Network, The Nantucket Historical Association, The Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, and numerous others.

SHIPPING: We have shippers available for the transportation of your antique consignments to our warehouse in Nantucket. Conversely we have shippers to handle your auction purchases to anywhere in the Continental United States and abroad.

Call 508-228-3942 for further details.

---