Q
& A with the Antique Detective
Q. We recently bought a tea service at an auction. We aren't dealers or
collectors, just liked it. We paid $300 for the set. It is marked on the bottom
of each piece with a crown over the letter "N". It says "A Sevres Décor". Can
you tell us anything? We think it was made in Sevres, France. B.P. -
Cincinnati,OH
A. Your very decorative tea service is made in the Sevres
style. However, the "N" and crown mark are one of the over 100 signatures used
by the Noritake China Co., Japan. The company made sets like yours for export to
the United States from 1953 and on using the letter "N". "A Sevres Décor" is the
pattern name. The set originally probably had a paper label saying
"Japan".
Q. This bronze sculpture is one of a pair given to my parents as a
wedding gift. It is marked "Made in France" with a circle, cup and leaves that
read "Paris". I would like to know the value and information. K.M.S.- Weymouth,
MA
A. You somehow missed the sculptor's name on the side that shows in your
photo of the base. It is "Moreau" in the distinctive signature of Auguste Moreau
(1834-1917) or (1822-1901). He won medals in Paris for his work, and this was
obviously such a piece. Contact Stuart Slavid, European Decorative Arts Expert,
Skinner Auctions, 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA, 02116. Send photos including one of
the base showing the signature. It will be worth thousands of dollars.
Q. We
know this small angel figure is old, but don't know what it is made of, although
it is very light weight. Can you tell me anything about it?
A. From your
photo, the angel is a Christmas crèche figure, probably made of plaster, 19th
century and German. It could sell on eBay for $50 or more.
Q. Any information
on the value of this cast iron fire engine with horses and driver and fireman?
It is approximately 20 inches in length. N.J.S. - Freeport, PA
A. Your cast
iron toy is known as a "pumper" and similar pieces were made by a variety of
late 19th century toy makers. Prices depend on condition and maker. Yours has
the extra figure of a fireman. Similar pieces sold at the May James Julia toy
auction for $3,000 and up. Send photos to James Julia Auction, Fairfield, ME,
04937.
Q. I inherited this porcelain box some years ago. Inside was a card
saying it "is a porcelain lunch box, circa 19th century." Can you tell me
anything about it? It has partitions, possibly for food on the inside. C.C. -
Evanston, IL
A. You appear to have a Japanese lunch box. However, I can't
give you any idea of age without a hands-on examination. That said, if it is
authentic 19th century and in mint condition, it could sell at auction for $200
or more.
Q. I collect antique hatpins and hatpin holders. I bought this holder from a
dealer. It has no maker's marks. Can you tell me anything about it? P.S.-
Apollo, PA
A. Your hatpin holder was probably made in Germany in the mid-19th
century when cameo jewelry was popular, since it features a cameo portrait. It
could sell in a shop for $150 or more.
Q. Any idea of the value of this chest
of drawers with the two small boxes on top? It needs work. B.R.-Quincy, MA
A.
Your chest of drawers with the two handkerchief boxes on top was made around
1825 and is in the American Empire style. While ornate pieces with carving and
gilding can sell for thousands of dollars, heavy, unadorned pieces such as yours
even in mint condition sell for a few hundred dollars.
Q. Do you know how old
or anything about this valet chair? A sign on the chair says "The Hardesty Co.,
Chicago, IL. Valet chair." Various parts open up for hat rack, pants press,
detachable hanger. It is leather. D.F.- Howe, PA
A. Your chair was made
somewhere between 1873 and 1917 and would be classified as "convertible
furniture." It could sell at auction for $500 or more.
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