Appraisers

Michaan’s Asian Art Specialist Annie Zeng has a lifelong passion and a lineal affinity for Asian art and Chinese history. Her father was a Professor of History at Guangxi University, her mother an artist specializing in watercolor painting. Born and raised in lush, scenic Guilin, China, Ms. Zeng spent her youth immersed in cultural studies and apprenticed for years to jade, porcelain, and painting appraisal experts in the ancient city. She grew up living history inside the walled University’s Quarters, formerly part of a Ming Dynasty palace compound. In 1996 Ms. Zeng opened her own Bay Area Chinese art business, Mark & Period. Her areas of expertise in selling and appraisal services include jade, textiles, paintings, fine porcelain and other Chinese antiques. She confers with a large network of fellow specialists in each of these areas. Ms. Zeng’s fine arts background is augmented by studies in the US including business and accounting, English-Chinese translation, and literature. A Bay Area resident for 27 years, she continues to further her education at the College of Marin, Kentfield, and at the de Young Museum’s Docent Lectures in Asian Art.

Elise Coronado comes from a multigenerational family of auctioneers and appraisers. Growing up in the industry has made her proficient in many facets of the auction business, from behind the scenes operations to the presentation of fine gems and jewelry at sale. Mrs. Coronado is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, holding numerous Gemological Institute of America diplomas including Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Diamonds and Graduate Colored Stones credentials. She has also attended numerous appraiser association conferences and taken courses keeping her appraisal education up to par. As the Director of Jewelry she has been an integral part of Michaan’s Auctions Jewelry Department team for approximately eight years as of 2019, handling all jewelry and timepiece valuations, cataloging and also assists in specialty auction photography and catalog layout. Mrs. Coronado assisted in the June fine sale of 2014 that brought Michaan’s first ever Kashmir sapphire to auction resulting in a price realized of $129,800 (lot 2339, $30,000-50,000). In December of 2015 she assisted in the sale of an impressive round brilliant-cut 8.66 carat diamond ring realizing a price of $154,400 (lot 5060, $50,000-80,000). In December of 2018 Mrs. Coronado directed Michaan's first ever Exceptional Jewelry Auction which included luxury designers such as Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., Verdura, David Webb, Buccellati, Hermes, Cartier and others. In addition, an emerald-cut 10.47 carat fancy yellow diamond ring realized $114,000 (lot 1115, $100,000-$150,000) and a Colombian emerald ring fetched a price of $84,000 (lot 1114 $10,000-$15,000). Comprising only 115 lots, this exceptional auction realized over $1.1 million in sales with a 100% sell through. Among Mrs. Coronado’s professional passions and favorites are luxury designer pieces, period pieces of all ages and fine, untreated natural rubies. Her passion and knowledge continue to drive her to present high-quality jewelry and timepieces to Michaan’s Auctions patrons across the globe.

In early 2019 Michaan’s welcomed specialist Jill Weitzman Fenichell. Jill relocated from New York, bringing four decades of experience in the arts and antiques industry. Her clients have included America’s finest museums of art and decorative arts as well as private collectors around the world. Jill launched an eponymous antiques and art advisory firm in 1995 and has participated in many national and international antiques shows. Her career began at Christie’s and she has been an appraiser and specialist with Roland Auction and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates. Jill has written extensively for publications such as Antiques and the Arts Weekly and is a USPAP Certified Appraiser. When asked about her favorite things, Jill said “I love it all!” Her business focus has ranged from works of art and sculpture to glass, silver, decorative objects and textiles. A longtime specialist in ceramics, Jill has lectured on the history and appraisal of fine porcelain. She enjoys tracking industry trends, building client relationships and the thrill of discovery that comes with the auction business.

Michael Rosenberg has been Michaan’s Coin and Stamp Specialist since 2005. Rosenberg has had an interest in collectible coins and stamps since he was a youth in Russia, ever since about the age of five. He learned the trade of stamp collecting under his father’s tutelage and took an interest in fine U.S. coins later in life when he set foot on American soil in 1991. In addition to his job at Michaan’s Auctions, Rosenberg personally collects coins and stamps, with his collection of Russian stamps being one of his most prideful acquisitions. He has been a member of the American Numismatic Association for over nine years and has also worked with noted names in the industry such as Chris Hammer and Ron Umile. Michaan’s first stand-alone coin auction was held on March 6, 2015 under the direction of Rosenberg to outstanding results. The 325 lot presentation of fine coins from the estate of Barbara Riggins virtually sold out, achieving a total final price realized of over $600,000. A top lot from the sale was evidenced in number 1012, a U.S. 1875 $20.00 MS64 Liberty Head gold coin at an estimate of $10,000-12,000. This coin realized a price of over three times the high estimation, selling for a handsome $38,940.

Michaan’s Fine Art Specialist, Mr. Paul Novak, has a wide range of auction knowledge culminating in over forty-three years of experience. Novak has been an art department founder and previously held Vice President and Director positions at Butterfield & Butterfield in San Francisco. He is also versed in estates and insurance appraisals, auctioneering, consulting and the sale of fine antiques. His breadth of expertise is expansive, encompassing furniture, decorative arts, European and American paintings, oriental rugs, ethnographic art, silver, prints, photographs and musical instruments (specifically pianos). Novak has worked on a number of prominent celebrity collections, including the estates of Bing Crosby, Liberace and William Holden. He has also taken part in television and radio shows, appearing in programming from KRON, KCBS, KGO and KQED. Charity work has also been an important part of Novak’s life and his contributions have been numerous. He has donated his auction services to the American Cancer Society, the Foreign Language Institute, the Stevenson School and the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.