Category: Treasure Hunt

Hi, Donna,

I hope you can help me identify my antique oak chair. I would like to know the era and artist. Any information will be helpful. Thank you.

Donna S.

Dear Donna,

It’s tough to find a single maker of some Victorian era chairs. The style of yours was very popular and not uncommon. Chairs, tables and other pieces were made with the lion’s head, paw foot style.

Some pieces, depending on how elaborate, can bring high values. There are some makers as well that will increase the collectibility today. But for most common styles the value is based on condition.

As far as a value, Donna, most collectors want them in original clean condition and finish. Your chair looks to be in clean shape but not necessarily all original. I think you could put the value in the range of $400.

Thanks for sharing, Donna, and I hope you find a new home for your chair.

Hi Donna,

My question is about this carriage clock. I think it is French and is in top shape. Any ideas? Thank you.

Scott

Dear Scott,

Your carriage clock does look to be in good shape.

Although the clocks used for traveling were originally French, they soon were made in many other countries. They can be very valuable in the antiques and horological (clock and watch) market. This would be for specific makers, movements, jewels and elaborate cases and so on.

There were so many made, some common and mass-produced. The value on one such as yours would be in the $100 range. To be sure, you could bring it to a jeweler and they would evaluate the movement for you.

Donna

Hello, Donna.

Can you help identify my glasses? They were at our table growing up. I now have inherited them. Any input helpful.

Norm

Dear Norm,

Your glasses are called Georgian glasses. I grew up with some similar but in amber. They were popular in the 1970s. A few different companies produced this thumbprint pattern in a few colors. Being very thick, a lot of them made it to now.

You can purchase today a reproduction line of them as well. Older is always better and has a story to tell.

The value on your dark green ones would be in the range of $12 each. As always, though, condition is important. No scratching, chips or cracks.

Thanks for sharing and reminding me of a memory as well.

Donna

Hi, Donna.

I recently purchased this cute dresser/desk from a furniture re-seller. The second ‘draw’ down opens to a desk. I’m interested in whether you’ve seen this sort of piece before and if you might be able to tell me anything about it.

Thank you.

Renee in New Boston

Dear Renee,

What a nice clean and useful find. Even though it is a later version (later mid-century to 1960s) it’s a gentleman’s dresser. They have been around for a long time; some are fancier than others. I have had a couple Victorian ones before.

Yours appears to have been taken care of and refinished nicely. How useful to have your dresser and drop-down desk in one piece. Today it could be used in other rooms in a home as well.

Renee, the value would be in the range of $200 in today’s market. I hope you found a treasure and something useful.

Thanks for sharing.

Donna

Good morning, Donna! My name is Katie. I live in Hooksett and I have always enjoyed your segment in the Hippo each week. I wanted to see if you could give me any insight on my Levi’s belt buckle.

Sincerely, Katie.

Dear Katie,

I did lots of research for you and never came up with your belt buckle.

I did come up with a couple reasons why I think you might have a knockoff (reproduction). First, the design in the leather doesn’t match any of the cowboy themes all others have. Second, the marking on the edge, “Levi,” was always followed by “Strauss.” If it’s not a reproduction it is an extremely rare piece. In your letter you stated you sent information to the company and never heard back. That makes me more confident in my findings.

No matter what, Katie, it’s a sweet buckle. Thanks for reading the Hippo and my column.

Dear Donna,

Picked this up a few months ago. I thought it was interesting. It looks all handmade and has weight to it. It’s 4 inches by 6 inches. I think it could be an old chalkboard eraser. The bottom has about 1/4 inch of felt. Interesting, as I said. What do you think?

Luke in Berlin, N.H.

Dear Luke,

You got my interest!

First, you are right, it appears to be handmade. It looks old, but it’s tough to be exact with the age of handmade items.

My question would be why would it need to be heavy if it’s an eraser. My thought is that it’s more of a commemorative to a dog. Possibly a paperweight? You could be right, or maybe it’s even for something we won’t ever know.

To give it a value: It’s a homemade piece with good detail, construction and subject. I would say your little treasure is in the $40 range!

Thanks for sharing, Luke.

Donna