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Discover Mid-America — October 2007
Lamp from a French earthenware company
Q. I received this crock from my mother-in-law many years ago. Is it an antique and the value? —R.A., Lower Burrell, PA
A. Your crock with the blue decorations and the name “Hamilton-Jones Greensboro, PA” is an antique made in the 19th century. Similar pieces from this American pottery have sold in shops for $400 or more.
Q. I purchased this piece of pottery at a yard/estate sale of a world traveler. On the bottom is written “copy from the Corinthian Museum.” It is made from red clay and is painted with Egyptian figures. Any value? —I.W., Plainfield, NJ
A. The fact that it is a museum reproduction, not an antiquity, puts the value at around $50 to $75. An authentic 6th century piece could sell at auction for around $2,000/3,000.
Q. Any idea of the value of my wooden Buddha with a partially gold patina? It is 10” high, 7“ across, 6” deep. My impression is it came from Japan and dates from the early 20th century. Can you confirm any of these details and what it might be worth? —S.W.K., Wilmette, IL
A. There is no mark showing country of origin that would date it to the 19th century or earlier. As to country of origin, I can’t tell from a photo. You need a hands-on examination, if possible by a curator in the Oriental department of the Art Institute of Chicago. Similar carvings, 19th century, have sold at auction for $700 and up.
Q. I inherited this lamp recently. It is marked “HB Quimper France.” Still works with the old electric cord. Any idea of its age and value? —M.E.M., Sarasota, FL
A. Quimper, the French earthenware pottery company, has been appealing to collectors since it opened at the end of the 17th century. Your early 20th century figural lamp could sell in a shop for $125 or more.
Q. I believe this pair of vases was a wedding gift to my grandparents in 1917. They are 13” high and are marked “Nippon C5241.” I would like to know the value. —M.A.F., Bridgewater, NJ.
A. Each of your Japanese Nippon vases could sell for $800 or more in a shop.
Q. This spinning wheel has been in our family for around 100 years. What would be the estimated value? —L.J.M., Sarver, PA
A. Your 19th century spinning wheel could sell at auction for $700 and up.
Q. I have this 3-piece set marked “FB Rogers Silver Co.” and can’t find the value even on the Internet. Can you help?
A. What you have is a silver-plated chafing dish, early 20th century. In good condition it could be priced at $50 in a shop.
Q. Please help me identify these pieces of glass. They were new when one piece was given to my in-laws as a wedding gift in 1942. These days I can buy it for $5 to $35. I have 39 pieces with different color rims. —B.G., Kansas City, MO
A. Your pieces resemble the early studio glass created by glass icon Frances Higgins when she and her husband Michael Higgins began their careers at the Dearborn Glass Company, Bedford Park, Illinois in 1948. These pieces were called “drop in vases.” However, your dates don’t coincide with the time the Higgins worked at Dearborn. You didn’t mention any signatures. Your pieces are examples of Modern art glass. A possibility is that they were done by Frances during her 1942 experiments with glass.
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