DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions announced the appointment of Andrew Taggart as Director of Decorative Arts to 1900. After 10 years at Freeman’s in Philadelphia, Taggart brings wide-ranging expertise and a discerning eye to this newly reorganized department, which will unite Heritage’s offerings of exceptional American, British and European decorative arts and sculpture dating from before the 20th century.

“We are excited to welcome Andrew to the team at a moment when the Decorative Arts are on the rise at Heritage,” says Nick Nicholson, Deputy Chairman, Decorative Arts. “The newly reorganized department of Decorative Arts to 1900 will focus on exceptional pre-20th-century objects, and for the first time will include American works from the 17th century through the turn of the 20th. Andrew’s expertise, creativity and broad knowledge of the market make him an exceptional addition to Heritage.”

Taggart holds a master’s degree from the Bard Graduate Center in New York and has developed broad generalist expertise across American, British and European furniture and decorative arts. He is particularly recognized for his knowledge of Southern furniture, an area in which connoisseurship, regional history and an understanding of construction and materials are essential. He is also a USPAP-compliant, Accredited Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA).

“The pleasure of working with Decorative Arts is connecting with collectors over the objects they love and helping them discover the stories behind a piece,” says Taggart. “I’m excited to join Heritage and work with colleagues across disciplines to build auctions that invite those discoveries, whether someone is pursuing a lifelong collecting interest or encountering a field for the first time.”

“I have long admired Andrew’s knowledge and connoisseurship, and I am thrilled that he is joining Heritage,” says Adam Williams, VP & Managing Director of Fine and Decorative Arts. “His breadth of expertise and discernment make him exactly the right person to lead this newly expanded department and help us build a more cohesive and ambitious approach to the field.” Taggart will work closely with Heritage’s specialists across Fine and Decorative Art, American Art and Americana to develop consignments and present thoughtful Signature and Showcase auctions with a strong commercial and scholarly focus.

“Andrew joins Heritage at an exciting time for American Fine and Decorative Arts,” says Aviva Lehmann, Deputy Chairman of Fine Art. “We look forward to having him work in concert with me and the American Art team, as well as with Caroline Tamposi in Americana. With this expanded team, Heritage is exceptionally well positioned to provide comprehensive support for important American collections, from individual masterpieces to entire estates.”

Taggart will divide his time between Philadelphia, New York and Dallas. In his new role, he will develop Decorative Arts to 1900 auctions, cultivate consignments and client relationships, and collaborate across categories at Heritage to bring important works and collections to market. His appointment strengthens Heritage’s integrated approach to serving collectors, estates and institutions across the Fine and Decorative Arts.

To reach Andrew Taggart: andrewt@ha.com