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Discover Mid-America — May 2005
Hands-on appraisal by a Shaker expert needed
Q.
These are photos of two Kewpie dolls used on my mother and father’s
wedding cake over 70 years ago. They are small. What is their value? –
G.T., Cheswick, PA
A. The “kewpie” dolls originated with illustrator
Rose O’Neill. She is the most famous for her plump, turnip-shaped
kewpie figures. They appeared first in 1909 as ads, postcards and cartoons.
The dolls, in all sizes, first were made in 1913. Yours could sell in
a shop for $75 to $100 each.
Q. I am hoping you can tell me something about this blue glass bowl, approx. 7” diameter, with Shirley Temple’s face on the bottom. – R.M., Spring Church, PA
A.
Your Shirley Temple bowl was made in the 1930s. Mugs and glass with her
likeness were also made during the same period when she was a popular
child movie star. Your bowl could sell in a shop for $40 or more.
Q. I have a twelve-piece dinner service plus serving piece given to us
as a gift 40 to 45 years ago. I have drawn the pattern. The inscriptions
are “Royal Princess,” Bavaria Germany. PEM. Any information
appreciated. – E.C., Staten Island, NY
A. Your dinner service was made by one of the many porcelain makers
in Bavaria before World War II. I was unable to find the make in any of
the reference books on marks. Perhaps some of my readers have a clue.
However, similar services of the era sell in shops for $500 or more.
Q. The side chair in the enclosed photo was found in my daughter’s
attic years ago. The decoration on the top is fruit. How old do you think
it is and is it worth anything? – M.P., Staten Island, NY
A. You appear to have a pressed side chair made around the end of
the 19th century. The fruit design resembles carving pressed into the
wood by a metal die or mold. Extra depth was often added with a carving
tool. It could currently sell, in good condition for $160 or more.
Q.
I recently purchased this armchair from an estate auction in Ohio. Supposedly,
it was made by a man who was a Shaker and left the Colony. It has been
re-webbed by one-inch Shaker tape. I would like to know the value. M.J.K.
- Jacksonville, FL
A. There’s nothing like a good legend to sell a so-called antique.
Only a hands-on appraisal by a Shaker expert will get to the truth. From
your photo the piece appears too decorative. New Shaker tape makes me
even more suspicious.
Q. This horse’s head is on a blanket. Can you tell me anything about
it? – L.L.K., Cadogan, PA
A.
Your pictorial blanket was made especially to keep people warm when riding
in a horse and buggy. Known as a horse blanket, they can sell in shops
for several hundred dollars depending quality of art and condition.
Q. Here is a picture of an old piano I inherited. It was made in Atlanta,
almost 100 years ago. It needs new ivory keys. I need to know the value
since I need to sell it. – J.M.F., Lagrange, GA
A. Your rococo revival square piano (c. 1845-1870) could sell at auction for between $2,000/3,000 .
Q. I found this china punch ladle among my grandmother’s things. It has no marks. What can you tell me? – E.S., Kansas City, KS
A. Your ladle was made by one of the English, Staffordshire potteries
in the early 19th century. The design is a transfer print. Similar ladles
sell for around $150 at auction.
Q. This iron andiron was in our family cottage for years. It is one of
a pair. Have you ever seen anything like it? – T.F., Dallas, TX
A. Your andirons are in the Arts and Crafts style, made around 1900-1910. In good condition they could sell to an Arts and Crafts collector for $75 to $125.
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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