Dana Balsamo
Contact
Biography
Dana Balsamo is a nationally recognized quilt appraiser and auctioneer with a lifelong passion for antique and vintage textiles. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Dana is the owner of Dana Auctions LLC, an auction house specializing in antique and vintage quilts, linens, lace, and other textiles. With close to three decades of hands-on experience, she has earned a reputation for her deep knowledge, integrity, and enthusiasm in the field of textile history and valuation.
Dana began quilting in 1996, launching her first textile business, Material Pleasures, in 2000. Appraising professionally since 2007, she acquired her Quilt Appraiser Certification in 2014 through the American Quilter’s Society and maintains compliance with USPAP standards. Dana lectures frequently on quilt history, fabric dating, and textile preservation, and has contributed to multiple books on antique quilt care and history.
In 2019, Dana became a licensed auctioneer in Pennsylvania, later expanding to Kentucky, and founded Dana Auctions in 2020. She now conducts monthly auctions that draw collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Dana is a member of the NJ State Society of Auctioneers, the PA Auctioneer Association, and the National Auctioneers Association. She is currently attending the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), the industry's most prestigious professional designation.
In 2024, Dana joined ANTIQUES ROADSHOW's Season 29 stop in Urbandale, Iowa, as a textile appraiser, bringing her passion and expertise to a national audience. She also serves as a Benefit Auctioneer for the American Quilt Study Group and other non-profit organizations.
Dana lives in Princeton with her husband, Joe, and three dogs, and continues to champion the artistry and historical significance of antique quilts and textiles through her work.
Recent Appraisals
appraisal
Hand Appliqué Quilt Top, ca. 1860
AR Extras
A weekly collection of previews, videos, articles, interviews, and more!
