DOYLE to Auction The PROPERTY OF A COMMONWEALTH AVE MANSION: THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY J. SINSKEY
The sale will be happening in Boston on December 12.
The Property of a Commonwealth Avenue Mansion: The Estate of Anthony J. Sinskey will be available to view lots & place bids on November 24.
Anthony J. Sinskey ScD was a distinguished professor at MIT and a pioneer in metabolic engineering, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing. Over his career he published widely, held 31 issued patents, and co-founded several biotechnology companies bridging academic discovery and industry.
Dr. Sinskey’s residence at 285 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston’s Back Bay reflected not only his scientific stature but also his refined taste and deep engagement with architecture, interiors, and the decorative arts. The townhouse was designed in 1903 to 1904 by the architectural firm Winslow and Bigelow and built by Ira Hersey, replacing an earlier 1880s structure. The commanding exterior upholds the architectural dignity of Commonwealth Avenue with its impressive stone and brick façade, accentuated by elegant granite and white stone details. This is perfectly complemented by the luxurious interior, which boasts tall ceilings, expansive rooms, and original moldings.
When Dr. Sinskey and his wife, the late Professor ChoKyun Rha, purchased the home they undertook a years-long restoration to return the interiors to its original grandeur. Rha, a longtime MIT professor and the first woman of Asian descent to receive tenure at MIT, and Dr. Sinskey commissioned extensive custom work and sourced period appropriate architectural and decorative elements for the house. Over time they assembled a distinguished collection of furnishings, artwork, and objects chosen to suit the elegant rooms of their Back Bay home.
This auction presents the contents of that carefully curated mansion. The eclectic collection consists of American and European fine art, furniture, Asian arts, decorative objects, jewelry, fine silver, and porcelain collected over decades, all tied to the distinguished legacy of Dr. Sinskey and the architectural heritage of 285 Commonwealth.
For press or media inquiries, please contact Theo Desmazures at Theo.Desmazures@Doyle.com
