Carlie Berlin grew up in a home filled with fine American 18th century furniture and decorative arts. His father was a passionate collector who learned from the greatest dealers of his day. As a result, Carswell inherited a love of old things and an appreciation for fine design. This latent interest bloomed after college into an interest in collecting and ultimately in dealing. Today, he is considered the leading dealer in the United States focusing on American Classical furniture and period accessories, such as period lighting and fireplace equipment. Carlie Berlin has also handled fine examples of 19th century American painting, silver, glass, brass, cast iron and French and English porcelains.
He has lectured at New York University’s School of Continuing Education where he is an adjunct professor. Mr. Berlin offers a course at NYU each Spring on early 19th century American furniture. He has lectured at the Parsons School of Design in New York, the prestigious Winterthur and Williamsburg Furniture Forums, the Detroit Institute of Art, The Saint Louis Museum of Art, Boscobel and the symposium on American Classical Furniture at the Yale University Art Gallery among many others.
His furniture has been featured in The Magazine ANTIQUES, Architectural Digest, House & Garden, Art & Auction, Veranda Magazine and in The New York Times and CNBC’s “High Net Worth” segment (11/20/07). Several pieces are highlighted in a February 2, 2011 article entitled “Lifestyle: A Rare Opportunity for a Residence” published by Antiques & Fine Art Magazine and http://www.afanews.com; from the 11th Anniversary issue, vol. X, no. 6.
He has a recently published article: “‘A Shadow of a Magnitude:’ The Furniture of Thomas Cook and Richard Parkin,” American Furniture, (Chipstone Foundation, University Press of New England , 2013). His article “Presidential Appointments: Andrew Jackson and Three Philadelphia Cabinetmakers” was published in the March/April 2017 issue of The Magazine Antiques.
An essay entitled “Solid and Permanent Grandeur: The Design Roots of American Classical Furniture” was featured in the show catalogue for the International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show in NYC, October 18th-24th, 2002. His article “An Important Rosewood and Cast-Iron Gueridon Attributed to Duncan Phyfe” was published in The Magazine ANTIQUES, May 2000 issue (Vol. CLVII, NO. 5) pages 770-777. Mr. Berlin’s article “Classical Furniture in Federal Philadelphia” was published in Antiques & Fine Art Magazine, Spring 2007 vol. VII, Issue 5, p.192-199.
He is also writing a comprehensive guide to formal American furniture of the first half of the 19th century.
Mr. Berlin serves on the Board of Trustees of the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, New York City. He is a member of the prestigious National Antiques and Art Dealers Association of America (NAADAA) and the Antique Dealers Association of America (ADA). A graduate of Kenyon College, he founded Carswell Rush Berlin, Inc. in 1992 to serve museums and collectors. Mr. Berlin has also been designated as a USPAP certified appraiser by the Appraisers Association of America.