About Us

Who We Are

We believe in extraordinary things. We’re experts, editors, curators and collaborators. We consider ourselves lucky to spend our days sharing and learning with designers, artists, architects and others who inspire curiosity, talent and taste. We’re stewards, travelers and translators. We love introducing people to meaningful objects. They speak to us about the world and ourselves, and carry lifetimes of stories within them. We shine a light on undiscovered artists and artifacts, and our gallery celebrates the handmade in all its beautiful imperfection. We take pride in bringing the past into the present, honoring history and integrating it into the way we live now. We invite you to experience the spirit of PAGODA RED online or in our Chicago gallery.

Our Founder

Betsy Nathan was born a collector. Her mother, Ann, a renowned Chicago gallerist, surrounded her family with an eclectic mix of fine art and folk, handcrafted and iconic furniture and other extraordinary objects found worldwide. In the early 1990s, Betsy moved to Beijing to study Mandarin. There, she met her mentors, a group of legendary Chinese furniture connoisseurs. She became an expert in provenance, craftsmanship, joinery and history. Betsy moved back to the United States and established her first showroom in Chicago in 1997. Since then, PAGODA RED has grown into a renowned resource for designers, collectors and aficionados around the world.

Our Team