Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Antiques, what is it?

  Here we go with round three of the antiques, what is it game.Seems like a lot of you out there like this new format and are sending me lots of pictures and questions. Thanks for the great response.
  Today I have several pictures and questions and I will try and deal with them as they came into me. I might get some out of order, so forgive me in advance,
   If you are sending a picture, question about an item that has a markers mark or name, I would need to know that information. A picture, the best possible ,of the mark would be very helpful. Sometimes I can tell from just looking at the item, but to do real research, the marks, signature,etc. would be of great help!
  Now that I  have scolded you all, here we go.



  The first item today was sent in by CINDY PACHECO. She has sent a couple of pictures of a lady statue. At first glance one would think that she is French. Her hair-do and custom is very much so. When in fact, Cindy, she is American. The Germans were the first to make what we refer to as," Dresden Lace." It is a process where real lace is dipped into liquid ceramic and applied to a green ware statue. When that statue is fired in the kilm, the lace burns away and the design hardens and stays in place. Dresden was a town in Germany where lots and lots of porcelain factories were located, and all of this type of work was soon called, " Dresden."  I did a very long and detailed blog about this some time back. Just click into your search bar, dresdenlace myoldhistorichouse. it should pop right up.Your statue, I believe was made in American in and around 1920's or so. Americans were taken with old French fashions, via Television and Movies. While there is no mark to prove this, I feel, I am pretty sure I am right. It is a darling decorative statue. I love the story book character of it. I would say that it does not have a strong market at this time and the price would be some where around $25.00. It could command more in some places, especially if there was two collected after it. Thanks Cindy, I hope this helps.




   The next item came in from BJ at SWEET NOTHINGS. She has send a picture of a clock. She tells me that the clock was black when it was first found and I believe  her mother painted it white. The clock is metal. Well, BJ, your mother would fit right in, in todays world, where every one is painting everything white. I know it is a trend, I know it is fun and I know people can not help them self. I wish sometimes they could. I have had several people blog and say they were going to paint a wonderful old thing white. Gives me nightmares. I just saved a 1700's French Louis Phippe chest from the paint brush. Lord have mercy!!!! If you need to paint, paint junk, used furniture, it will do just as  well as a wonderful old antique. In the antique world condition is everything. Your clock was original a gun metal color of cast iron with brass trim. It was made during the industrial revolution when things were being mass produced. it is hard to tell you a lot more as I would need to know who made it, "marks".  You can see that the metal is a little rough, and this was done on purpose. While your clock looks fun white, it should not be. If the paint could be removed it would bring up it's value. If you like it white, then, there you are. Clock collectors are funny people. They have many and usually only look for a rare one. This clock is not rare, so would not be worth millions. I would say a fair price would be $125.00. Not painted maybe $225.00 In the  Shabby Chick world, people who love white paint, maybe around $50.00. I hope this helps, not hurts, BJ?




   Next we have a Victorian Wedding Dome,  sent in by Deborah Chester. As a lot of you know, I am  Dome Crazy. I have almost 100 of them in, My Old Historic House. I only have one wedding dome, kinda like yours. These were more popular in Europe than they were in America. They are now popular here and are being exported by antique dealers. They made millions of these and they can be found, not  often, but can be found. I am going to cut this short, because another Blogger, Vanna, from Delusions Of Grandeur did a wonderful post about wedding domes. I would say take a few minutes and go read this She goes into great detail and I could not say any of it better. Just type,domesdemariee delusionsofgrandeur, and it should pop right up. Your dome would sell from around $450 to $950 in todays market. I know that is a big difference in price, but depends on where it is, who wants it and is there are others close by. I have seen them sale very high at auctions and also sell for hardly anything. I hope this helps Debby,


   The last question today was sent in by CHRIS and JAY  LELAND. And oddly enough, it is another Dome! This one is what we call a Victorian Parlor Dome. All well appointed Victorian homes had one. They were usually  displayed on the Parlor center table. The domes were imported and held many items. The one that Chris and Jay are asking about has wax flowers inside. Again I am going to cut this short, and send you to a blog that I did all about these domes. Just click in your search bar, parlordomes,adifferentkindofflowerarrangemnts,myoldhistorichouse. It should pop right up. As for the value of your dome? Again the market is good now. People like us on the blogs have made them popular. People like me are crazy over them, so we often over pay. I would expect to see a price of $400 to $800 for your dome. I hope this helps,Chris and Jay.
   Thanks for your pictures and questions. Send me some more.  Remember send them to my email. www.cottrellprissy@aol.com. and if there is a makers mark, a picture of it would help. I look forward to seeing what you have and until next time, keep on blogging. Richard and Sissy Dog the Beagle.