Treasure Hunt 26/09/17

speckled tan serving bowl with foot and curved rim

Dear Donna,

My sister reads the Hippo weekly. She referred me to you for help.

This is one of a couple bowls my mom had in her house. While cleaning out my sister said to check values before just donating them.

This bowl is big in size, 14 inches across the top. It is marked Texas Ware. I can unpack others if you would like to evaluate them as well.

Thank you for your time, Donna.

Claire

Dear Claire,

Your sister was right to check values! This bowl is a great size melamine plastic mixing bowl. Texas Ware was made in Dallas, Texas. It was very popular during the 1950s and still is today. The melamine plastic was made to last and be very durable for everyday use.

The one thing you have to look for in a value is whether the sheen is gone inside the bowl. Sometimes with heavy use the inside can wear down. This changes the values. As always any damage would lower the value as well.

There is lots of history on melamine bowls and other companies that made them. Imagine a set of three graduated bowls sold for $2 to $3 a set. Now your single bowl has a value of $50+.

Claire, you’re welcome to send more pictures, but you might want to bring the items to a local antique shop. Good luck and thank your sister!

Author: Donna Welch

Donna Welch has spent more than 30 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing, and recently closed the physical location of From Out Of The Woods Antique Center (fromoutofthewoodsantiques.com) but is still doing some buying and selling. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550 or 624-8668.

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