Although best known as an expert in Chinese art, Lark Mason was trained in London by Sotheby’s and began his career as a generalist in American and European fine and decorative works of art. He gained his experience as a dealer in fine arts and antiques while in college, and graduated from Sotheby's Works of Art Program in London in 1979, joining Sotheby's as a General Appraiser with Sotheby's Appraisal Company in New York. As a general appraiser, he regularly valued private and museum collections of American and European fine and decorative works of art. He is a generalist in Asian art, and a specialist in Chinese art and noted authority in Chinese furniture.
