The Brooklyn Museum is deaccessioning approximately 200 objects from its collection, including American furniture, artworks, and textiles, through a sale hosted by Brunk Auctions on April 9. Highlights include a rare circa 1690 walnut dressing table, estimated at $80,000–$120,000, and a late 17th-century oak cupboard. The museum states the sale is part of an ongoing effort to convert storage spaces into galleries and that proceeds will fund collection care and new acquisitions.
This deaccessioning follows recent similar sales by the institution and reflects a strategic shift in how museums manage their holdings. The article also highlights other notable collectibles entering the market, including a personal letter from John F. Kennedy, art from the collection of Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, a rare sealed video game, and a letter fragment from paleontologist Mary Anning, illustrating the diverse and high-value nature of the current collectibles market beyond fine art.