Our Story
Seaforth MacKenzie was founded by Andrew McVinish in response to a demand for independent and objective appraisal and advisory services. We are a trusted independent appraisal and advisory firm representing private collectors, family offices, trust & estate attorneys and art institutions. In addition, we offer consulting to auction houses with a focus on expertise, cataloging standards and processing, together with strategies for controlling costs and growing revenues. We also have detailed knowledge of the online auction industry and can offer consulting specifically tailored for sale management and strategy.
We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional service focused on objective, independent and discreet advice and USPAP compliant appraisals.
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We know that finding the right appraiser or advisor to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer a consultation to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.
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Founder & Managing director
Andrew McVinish
Andrew McVinish has almost three decades of international experience as an auctioneer, decorative arts specialist, generalist appraiser and senior auction house executive. Born and educated in Australia, Andrew’s career began in 1989 working for a regional saleroom, as a general valuer and saleroom manager. In 1997, Andrew was employed as a decorative arts specialist and auctioneer by Christie’s Australia with responsibility for regular decorative arts, jewelry and fine furniture auctions. Moving to London in 2003, Andrew was a member of the Christie’s London furniture department with responsibility for cataloging and selling regular sales of English and European furniture and works of art. In 2005 Andrew was appointed head of collection sales at Christie’s South Kensington and was part of the team that founded the highly successful and popular Sunday Sales of private collections. Moving on to become Director of UK Collections, Andrew was involved in many prominent and successful private collection sales, including: HRH The Princess Margaret, the Italian Royal Family, HRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent, The Althorp Attic Sale, The Roger Warner Collection and the Collection of King George I of the Hellenes.
In 2010, Andrew was transfered to Christie’s New York to help establish the Private and Iconic Collections department and was a key member of the team helping to secure the sale of many prominent collections, including: The Collection of Van Cliburn, The Estate of Huguette Clark, The Diana Dollar Knowles Collection, The Collection of Anthony Hail and Charles Posey, A Palladian Villa by Michael S. Smith, American Collecting in the English Tradition: Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama, The Estate of Carroll Petrie, The Private Collection of Joan Rivers, The Estate of Betsy Bloomingdale and The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.
Before leaving Christie’s at the end of 2016, Andrew was Senior Vice President, Head of Decorative Arts, New York and the Director of Auctioneers, America.
Since 2017, Andrew has been Vice President of Knowledge Management at EBTH, the digital market place for art and antiques. The decision to found Seaforth MacKenzie was in part due to Andrew’s track record for exceptional relationship management and an ability to leverage his diverse and influential connections. Andrew is a persuasive negotiator who effectively shapes negotiations to the benefit of his clients.
Education
University of Melbourne, BA 1989
Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers
Activities & Affiliations
USPAP Compliant
NYC Licensed Auctioneer
Furniture History Society, London
Colorado Collectibles Appraiser 2018-Present