Several years ago, my siblings and I were handling our mother’s estate in Pennsylvania which included a good sized home filled with many antiques and collectibles. We had no idea how to determine the value of each piece, and we needed guidance. Fortunately, a friend recommended we contact Helen Kippax, founder of The Antiques Brokerage House in Larchmont, New York. 

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Helen is very professional, knowledgeable and efficient - most everything was accomplished by phone or email which was very helpful since my siblings and I live in 3 different states. After receiving photos of all the estate items and contacting various auctioneers and dealers, Helen recommended Pook and Pook, a Pennsylvania auction house located only 40 minutes from our mother’s home.  

 

Throughout the process, Helen was involved.  She negotiated the auction terms and cap on trucking fees and reviewed all reserves with us.  And, she even secured the catalogue cover spot for the most valuable piece in the estate.  Because of Helen’s expertise, we feel that the estate was handled with maximum benefit for the family.      

 

Greenwich Connecticut Client     

 

 

We used Antiques Brokerage House three years ago to clear out an apartment that had been in the family for many years. Helen helped us navigate the overwhelming amount of furniture, paintings, linens, and family heirlooms that had been collected over the generations.. The biggest task she handled was helping us decide where each piece should go.

 

Her knowledge of antiques [and the market )was invaluable in deciding which pieces to keep, which to send to auction and which to give away. It was a huge process, and Helen handled it all with grace and good humor, still managing to keep us from losing our minds. We recommend her without qualification. 

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Larchmont Resident 

 

 

This is in praise of Helen Kippax, the intrepid antique broker, who through sheer perseverance and good taste, found eight 18th century Dutch marquetry chairs for me this past year.  I was referred to Helen, by a friend of mine in the design business. 

I had just inherited my cousin's Dutch marquetry arm chair, and decided to replace my dining room chairs with the same style. Helen was on the case immediately, even though it took perhaps a year until the right auction had eight chairs in their sale inventory. Helen emailed photos and I absolutely loved the chairs! The catch was-the auction was in England and the chairs had been in an aristocratic home for over two hundred years! Little did I know how Helen could negotiate internationally. We discussed my budget limit, and Helen bid on the chairs. The chairs were mine! Now the trick was getting them back to the states, and verifying that the inlay was not endangered ivory. Helen found a British restorer to write a letter confirming the inlays were bone not ivory to accompany the shipment. Fees to deliver were reasonable and I would never have been able to buy the same quality for the ‘all in’ price here in a shop.

Once stateside, Helen had her furniture craftsman do restoration of the marquetry and polish them up. They are spectacular.

I have never met Helen Kippax in person, but know I would instantly have a kindred spirit. She has divine taste, and a keen eye. And she was respectful of my budget. I cannot wait to meet, for lunch in the city.

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Martha Wallace, Albany, New York

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“Helen was recommended to us as we faced the daunting task of organizing and disposing of antiques, collectibles, other furnishings and accessories from a large home in the context of a cross country move, downsizing, and changing from a formal to less formal setting.  We could not have done it without Helen!  She was calm, organized and professional when others involved were not necessarily so — a welcomed neutral and expert voice.  She destressed the situation when it was sorely needed.  We wholeheartedly recommend Helen for any similar undertaking.”

 

Greenwich Connecticut Client

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My mother inherited an old Chinese jade necklace from her mother many years ago. She never liked it much, and it languished in a drawer for many years; my sisters didn’t want it, either. Helen referred my mother to an expert in Chinese jewelry, who featured the necklace in an auction aimed at the Chinese market, and the necklace sold for many times more than we had dreamed.

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Stephen & Jane Land, Larchmont, New York

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We used Antiques Brokerage House three years ago to clear out an apartment that had been in the family for many years. Helen helped us navigate the overwhelming amount of furniture, paintings, linens, and family heirlooms that had been collected over the generations. The biggest task she handled was helping us decide where each piece should go. Her knowledge of antiques (and the market) was invaluable
in deciding which pieces to keep, which to send to auction and which to give away.

It was a huge process, and Helen handled it all with grace and good humor, still managing to keep us from losing our minds. We recommend her without qualification.

 

Kathy Fraser, Riverside, Connecticut

 

 

Helen Kippax is a rare talent. She recognizes quality and value, is highly respected, and knows hidden sources for nearly everything. Not just of great objects, but also of people. Whenever Helen comes to speak with me about an estate or a family she is helping, and needs specialized advice, I know her analysis is going to be accurate and information complete. Its always a pleasure working on a project with Helen. For anyone looking for help in downsizing, creating a wonderful space, or finding a special object, Helen is non pareil. 

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Lark Mason, President, Igavel Auctions

 

 

We met Helen when we were first married 30 years ago and were merging our household furnishings. We quickly realized that there was no market for the “store bought” furniture that we no longer wanted. Helen trained our eye and introduced us to the world of auctions. We proceeded to decorate our home with fine furnishings including antique furniture, rugs, paintings, and other beautiful pieces that we cherish – and we expect to be able to resell them if we ever want to do that. More recently, Helen was instrumental in helping us dispose of my mother-in-law’s estate. She reviewed the contents, advised on their value, and referred us to sources that helped us dispose of them. We admire her sense of taste, style, and professional knowledge about fine furnishings. In addition, Helen is such a delight, she makes home decorating (and disposition) a real pleasure.

 

Kathy Fraser, Riverside, CT 

 

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