Specialist Spotlight: Jacob Coley’s Passion for the Past
Jacob Coley has focused his career on promoting and preserving ancient art. As the Vice President and Head of Antiquities and Ancient Art at Freeman's | Hindman, Jacob brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for humanity's earliest creative achievements. With an exceptional eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to scholarship, he has become a trusted advisor for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Join us as we highlight his successes, including some of his favorite treasures sold to date.
From left to right: An Egyptian Gilt Cartonnage Mummy Mask | Sold for $175,000
A Roman Marble Portrait Head of Antisthenes | Sold for $100,000
A Life Dedicated to Antiquities
Jacob's fascination with ancient civilizations began early in life, leading him to pursue academic studies in art history at The University of Miami. Throughout his career, between world-renowned institutions and private collections, he has developed a reputation for a meticulous approach to provenance and ability to uncover each object's story. Before joining Freeman's | Hindman in 2021, he worked as Managing Director of Ancient Art at Colnaghi, the world's oldest commercial art gallery. His position within the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art formed much of the scholarly foundation that continues to support his commercial approach today.
“When we decided to build a stand-alone Antiquities Department in Chicago, we knew our success would depend upon placing the right person at the helm,” Molly Morse Limmer, Deputy Chairman, tells us. "Jacob encompasses so many of our firm's core values. His passion for the field continues to exude as he drives our commitment to selling ancient art into the future.”
A Roman Marble Head of a Youth Wearing a Laurel Wreath | Sold for $504,000
A Byzantine Gold, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Amethyst, and Emerald Necklace | Sold for $25,200
A Champion for Antiquities
Establishing the department as a market leader, Jacob remains committed to ensuring these treasures are appreciated and understood. His leadership in this field reflects a dedication to these ancient objects and the cultures they represent.
Speaking to the allure of the collecting category, Jacob shares, "Antiquities are a window into ancient daily life and artistic expression. Each piece carries a story that has endured for centuries, and it is my greatest passion to help those stories find their next steward."
Jacob's expertise spans a wide range of ancient art, including art from the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Near East. He routinely handles works in bronze, marble, pottery, gold, silver, and glass from the Neolithic Period to around 1000 AD.
Major auctions occur twice yearly, featuring Attic and South Italian pottery, Egyptian reliefs, Greek and Roman marble statuary, mosaics, Jewelry, and more. His department also focuses on ethnographic art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, focusing on Central and South American cultural material.
A Roman Marble Crouching Venus | Sold for $165,100
Join the Journey
This spring, Jacob and the department will present two stellar auctions, including Jewelry Through the Ages: Ancient to Neoclassical on March 25 and Antiquities and Ancient Art on May 22. These sales promise to showcase the rich diversity and historical significance of ancient artifacts. We are currently accepting consignments for the year and invite you to consign via our request an estimate form.
To learn more about Jacob and the Antiquities and Ancient Art department, click here.