Category: Treasure Hunt

Hello, Donna.

I saw someone had some dishes and asked you their worth. That prompted me to reach out and see if you have comments or information about this child’s rug that I inherited from my mother-in-law approximately 11 years ago. I don’t know how long she owned it or where it originated from. Also I’m wondering if you have a value you would suggest.

Your help and time are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

The hooked rug has a sweet subject!

Hooked rugs are tough to evaluate without a real visual on them. So my end suggestion is to bring it to a local antique shop. They will be able to approximately date it for you and tell you if it was hand hooked or machine done.

Age, subject and fine details all go into putting a value on them. I have seen even modern hooked rugs bring substantial value because of the work in them. But I’ve also seen modern machine-made ones in stores that look like older ones.

I think, Lisa, I would try to find out more information on whether it was handmade by your mother-in-law or someone in the family etc. If so, try to come close to when it was made. Then when you bring it to be evaluated you can provide that information to help.

It’s a sweet rug, Lisa, but a lot depends on whether it is older, newer, hand done, machine done, and made with newer materials or older ones.

Good luck in your hunt for information and let’s hope it is a treasure!

Donna

Note: Some of the best hooked rigs I have seen were hooked with rags from a homestead! Reusing everything is what you did then.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. 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.

Hi, Donna,

I don’t care about the value of this box. It’s my curiosity that desires to be satisfied. I think this piece may be best described as in the category of old medical quackery! The internet, I believe, attests to the fact that there’s a lot of such still continuing today. It’s a very dusty wooden case with a brass handle and hardware, but it looks as though it was never actually used! I’m fascinated, but not ready to be the first one to try it out! If I promise you will not be opening Pandora’s box, could you perhaps shed some light on this contraption?

With many thanks and kind regards,

Helen

Dear Helen,

You made me laugh!

There were several different supposed uses for these at the time. Not sure any really worked! I have had a couple different versions of the J.H. Bunnell Co. medical machines during my career, from electric shocks to nothing I would ever use! Not sure if even back in the early 1900s these weren’t considered medical quackery. They are today and definitely not made to use. The cherry wood cases make for a beautiful storage box cleaned up. I would just recommend removing all the contents. The top pieces, the plate to separate the medical pieces from the battery. Then the battery as well. As you said, Helen, it is more of a curiosity item. The values are under $100. I just would hate to see anyone try it!

Donna

Hi, Donna.

I really enjoy your column in the Hippo. I’m reaching out for some advice about an antique bottle my husband found at a construction site. He doesn’t recall the exact location, but it was likely in Massachusetts.

Based on our research, it appears to be a hand-blown, triple-chamber liquor or apothecary bottle. It has no seams or markings, a couple of bubbles in the glass, and slightly asymmetrical tops — suggesting it was handmade. There are no cracks or chips, but the metal has oxidation. Also, one of the wires has detached from the base (although it is still there).

Do you have any insight into its value or where we might sell it? We’re downsizing and looking to find the right buyer.

Thank you in advance for your time and expertise!

Best,

Jackie from Nashua

Dear Jackie,

I have to say you have done my job. You are right: This is a liquor decanter. It’s a three-way blown glass one but there are even four-way ones out there as well. The tops would have been glass pourers and many times got lost along the way.

The ones I found out there were French and unfortunately the values were low, in the $30 range. But what a fun find for your husband. I am always amazed to find an antique still in good condition.

I hope this was helpful or a confirmation for you. To market it I would try a local antique shop in your area. Thanks again, Jackie, and good luck.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I have a question on whether they still make the houses for incense like this. I can remember the tiny log cabin they went into. I found these at a consignment store. Any insight helpful.

Carrie

Dear Carrie,

I’m smiling because years ago someone wrote in about the cabin. You can still find the older log cabin for the incense and even now they are made. Try looking at a White Mountains gift shop or even a New Hampshire rest area. Buying a newer one would probably be in the $10 range. To find older ones could run a bit more. But they are out there — you just need a treasure hunt! Thanks for the smile, Carrie, and good luck with your search.

Good morning, Donna,

I am wondering what is the worth of these dishes and if you are interested or know someone who would be. Doing thorough cleaning and these have been stored over 20 years.

Thank you!

Carol

Dear Carol,

Mass-produced large dish sets from the 1930s and 1940s seem to have made it through time, most only being used during holiday occasions and the rest of the time being stored in china cabinets.

There are many different companies and patterns. 24kt gold designs are not uncommon and this doesn’t seem to affect values. So many were made that the value usually is in serving pieces. All need to be in perfect condition with no chips, discoloration, cracks etc.

In today’s use anything that’s not microwave safe is not welcomed often. Using china cabinets seems to be a thing of the past as well.

With all this, Carol, I would say the value of a set like this would be in the $50 range. But finding a market could be tough. Most people, like yourself, are always cleaning out!

I hope you find a new home for them.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi, Donna,

I enjoy your column in the Hippo and am wondering if you would have any insight into a piece of artwork I own. It is an artist’s proof by Irving Amen (see pictures with signature) called ‘Rythms’ (first “h” is missing?) but I cannot find a similar picture anywhere online. I am wondering if it ever went beyond an artist’s proof.

If you have an idea of what it might be worth, or who I could talk to if this isn’t your department, I’d appreciate it.

Much thanks!

Adele

Dear Adele,

Art being a really specific field, I did some research and educated myself.

Artists’ proofs were done of the original just as limited editions. Unlike limited editions there were not many made, and this makes them more valuable. Some proofs can have color changes and items just a bit off from an original, which can also give them a higher value.

It’s tough to determine values on proofs without comparing them to other proofs from the artist. Even then there can be a difference in values from one proof to another, depending on subject and exactly how many proofs were made.

I found lots done by Irving Amen in the range of $100 to $300. Not many duplicates out there either. This could be why you didn’t find an original.

Adele, I think that to be certain, I would contact a large auction house that sells artwork. Possibly Bonhams Skinner in Massachusetts — they have specific departments just for artwork. This way you will know for sure.

I wish you luck, Adele, and hope I gave you insight. Thank you so much for sharing and giving me some education too.

Donna