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Discover Mid-America — February 2005
An answer to a prayer?
Q. When I saw your column recently it seemed like the answer to a prayer.
Perhaps, this vase from the Far East that was given to our convent years
ago could have some value and be sold to provide money for the maintenance
of our elderly sisters? I will be grateful for any advice concerning value
and disposal. Sister C.B., Staten Island, NY
A. Your beautiful porcelain vase is Japanese, Satsuma (1868-1911) Meiji
period. The fact that it has a signature on the bottom adds to the value.
Take a better photo of the signature and send photos of vase and signature
—since you can email —to sachiko.hori@sothebys.com. She is their
specialist. From your information your vase could sell at auction for
from $4,000 up
Q. I am interested in finding out the value of the statue (lamp) in the
enclosed photos. It has the following signature scratched on the back
of the base, “A Bachenini Ficonica.” —S.M.W., Chicago,
IL
A. Your monumental lamp-sculpture dates to the Art Nouveau period (1896-1914).
The female sculpture is two-color marble. The perfect place to sell it
is the Red Baron Auction, 6450 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30328 or www.redbaronsantiques.com.
They deal with spectacular and large items. Your lamp could sell for over
$20,000.
Q. I recently inherited this oil painting, signed B.Lambert. It is a mountain
scene. What is the value? —E.K., Staten Island, NY
A. Unfortunately the only information on your artist was an auction
price, listing for B.Lambert, late 19th century, American. It was priced
at $900.
Q. Can you tell me anything about this pair of candleholders? They are
heavy, silver, probably silver plate. They are marked “Oneida Community
Ltd. —M.H., Kensington, PA
A. Oneida silversmiths first made silverplate in 1902
and it was called Community Plate, made in Sherrill, New York. In 1935,
the company name was changed to Oneida, Ltd. It is now known as Oneida
Silversmiths. They began their production of silverplated holloware in
1926. Your candleholders were made around 1935. They are heavy because
they are weighted with cement. The pair could sell in a shop for $125.
Q. This table was in my grandma's boarding house and was purchase around
1918. Fully opened, it is 117 1/2” long. I removed the black and
yellow paint, and restored it to the natural finish. What is the value?
—C.B., Pittsburgh, PA
A. Your oak table is in pretty rough condition from the photo. Even
so it could sell at a yard sale for $200 or more.
Q. I believe this vase is around 60 years old. It is 12 inches high. The
flowers are raised. On the bottom is the word “Roseville”, U.S.A.
991-12. Is it rare? Can you tell me the approximate worth? —J.D.R.,
Staten Island, NY
A. Roseville pottery is one of the hottest collectibles around. Your
urn could sell for $375 to over $400 in a shop. Check out the prices on
Ebay.
Q. I found this cloth lithograph of a baby in a washbowl in my late grandmother's
trunk. It is 21 1/2² x 21 1/2”. Printed on the bottom,“Copyright
1804 by J. H. Titus. JCH Mahn Lith Co., Polk bldg. New York. What is the
value? —W.R.P., Bound Brook, NJ
A. Are you sure the date is 1804? This type of textile art was popular
in the late 19th century to around 1904. If it dates in that period the
value would be around $250.
Q. This old hallstand had stood in an Atchison, KS rooming house for decades.
When we bought it in 1946, we clean and polished it. It has all original
parts. Can you date and evaluate it? —B.L.D., Atchison, KS
A. Your fanciful hall tree is in the Renaissance revival style, c.1870s.
It could sell in a shop for $1,500 or more.
Q. I found an old hearth broom in my late grandmother's basement. It has
a decorative metal holder with green decorations. Any value? Couple of
bristles missing. —S.T., Des Moines, IA
A. Your 19th century hearth broom could sell in a shop for $75 or more.
Send
your question about your favorite antique to
THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE,
c/o Discover Mid-America
104 E. 5th St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
Email: editor@discoverypub.com
> Antique Detective Q&A Archive — past columns
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