Prescott's "Instant" Appraisals

Objects provided by the Readers of the
Josie Prescott Mystery Series

Scan through these pages -- enjoy!

Cornucopia Vase

Description:

This is a lovely perfect vase that I bought in Florida at an antique shop in Cocoa beach.  There are no markings. The color is a salmon pink.  The gold has not peeled or flaked and has no imperfections.  The vase has no imperfections either -it is as new.

Appraisal:

This vase seems to be molded and was likely produced in the second half of the 20th century. At auction, this vase would likely be grouped with other items; selling by itself it would bring around $20. This is based on the photos and information provided.

Guanyin Figurine

Description:

I inherited this item from a deceased relative many years ago. It appears to be an ivory - or simulated ivory (?)  - carving of a Geisha girl. The height is 28 inches tall and the base measures 4 X 3 1/2 inches in width. The weight is approximately 8 lbs. I am unsure of the age of the item, but my uncle had it since I was a small child. I am estimating the age to be at least 30 years old, perhaps much older. I have found no markings at all on the item that would indicate any age or where the item originated from. I would appreciate any information you can give me as I have researched this item for some time and have been unable to find any information about it.

Appraisal: 

It is a Chinese figure of Guanyin—the Goddess of Mercy.  Judging from the photograph, the base appears to be solid.  Usually ivory of this size tends to be hollow, therefore I am not sure it is ivory.  However, it is difficult to judge from the photos. The easiest way to find out if it is real ivory is to perform the "hot pin" test.  You need to heat up the tip of a pin until it turns red hot, then try to pierce the carving.  If it is ivory, it will not go through.  If it is a composite material, then the pin should go right through and leave a mark. At auction, an ivory piece such as this would likely sell in the $400-600 range.  If it is composite, then it unfortunately has little auction value.  This estimate is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Yellow Bowl

Description:

I’m hoping you can shed some light on this old yellow shallow bowl.  It measures 10" across, is lightly stenciled in white along the top outside edge, and stenciled in a soft black in the center in what appears to be a bird in a nest.  The pencil line trim along the outer edge of this plate does not match at the beginning and end point.   On the reverse, the imprints of the potter’s fingerprints are visible in the glaze.  Also when held sideways, there is a tiny asymmetrical tilt to this pottery and it's not perfectly round.  It appears an early handmade piece.

Appraisal:

This looks to be a stenciled American pottery bowl, made rurally; it is not surprising that it is unsigned as many pieces made in more provincial regions often do not sign their pieces. It is difficult to discern the exact age from a photograph, however, it seems to be an early 20th century produced piece, and would have an auction estimate of $100-200.  This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Sugar Shakers

Description:

We think these sugar shakers are from late 1800's to early 1900's.  The white shaker is a ribbed milk glass and the other a pink swirl, both with pewter lids.

Appraisal:

This lovely set of two glass and pewter mounted sugar shakers is Victorian and would have an auction estimate of $100-200. This is based on the information and photos provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Eagle Weathervane

Description:

This Weathervane is made of metal and shaped like an eagle. It’s 33 inches tip-to-tip, 21 inches from tallest point of eagle to base. It measures 18 3/4 inches at the longest point and 15 inches tall. The arrow is 15X 33 inches and the directional part 13 x 3 ¼ inches. Wood stand constructed by hubby.

Appraisal:

Eagle form weathervanes have been popular since the 19th century.  Commonly the body is made of molded copper and it appears as yours might be, further mounted on an iron base.  Due to the weathering and without any more information it would be hard to place a more precise date of manufacture on it.  Generally they sell between $500 and $1000 but some examples have sold well into the thousands. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Chair (Bonnie's)

Description:

This chair is an inheritance piece. I have no knowledge of age or maker.  Any information would be great.

Appraisal:

Judging from the ball adorned spindle back and the springs on the underside I would think this is a late Victorian chair, dating to the later part of the 19th century.  Unfortunately, these are fairly common chairs and generally bring around $100 at auction. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Rousseau Statue

Description:

This statue says it was done by Rousseau. It's almost two feet tall. It has a little button on the side that says "Made in France" Fabrication-Francaise. It has great age - a plaque on the side says "Pat Rousseau" (sculpt).  Do you have any idea of the age or price?

Appraisal:

This statue seems to be a 20th century cast metal figure after an original by Rousseau. It would have an auction estimate of $600-800. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Decanter and Goblets

Description:

I received a seven piece glass/crystal decanter with stopper and small goblets after my friend died.  She said it was a wedding gift in 1943.  It is heavy, clear, colorless glass in a two starburst patterns. The stopper and two of the goblets have small chips.  There is a hard to read hand written appraisal by Martha Louise Swan written in 1986 indicating her book page numbers and sets resemblance to "Sinclaire" and "Dorflinger." 

Appraisal:

This is a lovely cut-glass decanter set that seems to have been made right around the time of her wedding. I don’t believe it to be Waterford, but as a lovely set it would have an auction estimate of $100-200. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Pink Fluted Glass Bowl

Description:

This is a fluted glass bowl which is 14 inches in diameter with 7 inch tall silver plate stand (not polished recently).  It was a 1905 wedding present to my grandmother in Iowa.  No markings on bottom of bowl, but silver stand says, "Quadruple Plate" above a spider web with a W in center and the number 163 drawn below. There are blue and gold designs and edging on pink and white glass.   There are no chips but there is some slight fading of gold.

Appraisal:

It makes perfect sense that your grandmother got this as a wedding present as what you have is a Victorian Bride's Basket.  These were quite common in the 19th and early 20th century.  While some were more elaborate and made of sterling silver most we see are similar to yours.  I would estimate it at $100/200. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Sleepy Eye Pottery

Description:

These are to sleepy eye glazed pottery pitchers from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota about 1933.  One is 5 inches and the other is 4 inches tall.   It has blue raised Indian and scenery designs on white.   There are no chips, but there is some glaze crackle on smaller pitcher.  There are no markings on bottom

Appraisal:

Sleepy Eye pottery has yet to really become that sought after.  While it has started showing up at auction with a little more frequency most pieces like yours tend to bring around $100. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Art Books

Description:

This is a set of 24 "Masterpieces in Colour" art books. There is no visible publication date. The cloth book covers in good shape, paper outer-covers in poor shape or missing. There are eight full color prints in each book. The paper is yellowing a bit on the edges, but there are no rips or tears. They were my grandmothers but I don't know when or how they were purchased by her. I'm sending four views of the Corot as a sample, plus one of Milton

Appraisal:

This series has come up with us at auction before.  They were printed around 1900 and in fairly large quantities.  As with many books of this nature condition is very important and the missing or damaged dust jackets hurts the overall value.  With some copies selling for as low as $10 each (retail) I would think that your collection, at auction, would realize around $400. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Farrer Pencil Sketch

Description:

I acquired the pencil sketch (labeled Farrer) in a portfolio of miscellaneous paper items at an estate sale in Trenton, New Jersey.  I have been able to locate a reference to the sketch on page 159 of a book called The New Path by Linda Ferber in which the sketch is described as "unlocated".  The sketch was made in 1859 (as dated) by Thomas Charles Farrer, and the subject is John Henry Hill (the similar sketch in The New Path is of his father, the artist John William Hill).

 Appraisal:

There are very few auction records for this artist. Considering the condition as well as the lack of a real track record at auction make this drawing difficult to estimate. A conservative estimate should be in the range of $200-400. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Bookcase

Description:

This bookcase was originally purchased by my mother in New York by an antique dealer.  It is 7 feet tall, 12 inches in depth, and 4 ft. 9 in. across (see photo A).  The top of the bookcase can be lifted off (see photo B). The four shelves can be adjusted to different heights (see photo D).  Overall, it is in very good condition.

Appraisal:

The 20th century carved Victorian oak bookcase would have an auction estimate of $1,000-2,000. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Small Chest

Description:

This chest was originally purchased by my mother from an antique dealer.  It is 20 inches tall, 18 inches across, and 8 ½ inches wide.  It has three drawers.  I have included pictures of the front, side and back.  It does have scratches as you can see. 

Appraisal:

This diminutive American pine chest seems to be a mid 19th century piece and would have an auction estimate of $400-600. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Pottery Vases

Description:

I have two of these vases.  They are identical.  They were said to come from the orient or Eurosia.  We have had them since the 1950's.  There are finger prints in the bottom of the vases and thumb prints are all around the bottom of it.  They are not finished off. 

Appraisal:

These are likely a European example of a Chinese style.  From the photos, it looks as though they are transfer printed.  If they are mid-century, then probably $150-250 for the pair. If 19th century, then likely $400-600 for the pair. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Salt Lick

Description:

Salt licks were used on eastern and Midwest farms and frontier kitchens as far back as 1650. This salt lick (lidless) was bought from Smith farm in Southern Indiana, near Hartford City by my grandmother Laura Mahan. This was probably on farm in the barn.

Appraisal:

Salt licks were used to provide needed minerals for bone and muscle growth in animals. This ceramic salt container from the end of the 19th beginning of the 20th century seems to have been used to store salt for animals, as it was found in the barn, and would have an auction estimate of $50-75. This estimate is based on the information and photos provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers